Fancy steamy ‘rasam’ along with your popcorn? Or having a whole corridor to your self? As theatres within the metropolis reopen after eight months, count on modern perks together with stringent security measures
When the opening credit of Tamil movie ‘Dharala Prabhu’ rolled out at Seasons, PVR (previously Sathyam Cinemas), on Tuesday morning, the applause was nervous, however enthusiastic.
The dozen individuals who gingerly ventured into the corridor had been lastly experiencing one thing they sorely missed over the past eight months, resulting from lockdowns to fight COVID-19: watching a movie on the massive display.
On the subsequent display, Dulquer Salmaan-starrer ‘Kannum Kannum Kolaiyadithaal’ was being performed. Each movies had been launched earlier this 12 months in the identical cinema corridor, and did fairly effectively, earlier than the pandemic modified the world in March. Each can be found on main OTT platforms. However, each drew audiences.
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Theatre homeowners and cinema buffs are wanting ahead to the acquainted consolation of re-uniting with the massive display within the coming weeks, albeit in a brand new regular in a metropolis nonetheless within the grip of COVID-19. “It has been an extended wait, and at last, we’re open,” says Swaroop Reddy, regional director, South, PVR. He provides, hopefully, “We should always get again to the nice previous occasions quickly. Individuals have missed watching movies on the massive display, so even older content material is getting traction.” Bookings have been open for the 9 motion pictures which can be taking part in of their varied metropolis properties since Sunday, with ticket costs on the ₹150- ₹ 170 vary.
Temperature checks are a should at PVR (Sathyam Cinemas)
| Picture Credit score: R_Ragu
Films at present taking part in embody Korean documentary ‘Break the Silence’, 1995 Hindi superhit ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ and English movie ‘My Spy’, however with Deepavali approaching, there is perhaps a number of new releases like Santhanam-starrer ‘Biskoth’ and ‘Irandam Kuthu’ to look at, in metropolis theatres.
Irrespective of what’s taking part in, the theatrical expertise has undergone a drastic makeover in these difficult occasions. Patrons shall be required to sanitise their arms and endure a temperature test earlier than getting into the cinema halls. Inside, there shall be makes an attempt to sensitise them on the brand new regular; PVR has an obligation officer asserting precautions, whereas INOX is taking part in public consciousness movies. AGS Cinemas has put in additional CCTV cameras to make sure social distancing amongst patrons.
All cinemas will function on 50% occupancy; so the seat subsequent to yours shall be empty. There may even be additional time between two exhibits in most halls to make sure thorough sanitisation.
Security precautions are a precedence for theatre homeowners who foresee a gradual however regular begin to enterprise. Now that the market is extra competive than ever earlier than, theatres are additionally arising with modern provides; like PVR’s Non-public Screening the place clients can e book a whole corridor relying on availability for ₹ 2,750, for a 15-member group.
Go digital
With the emphasis on digital transactions, the printed ticket may quickly change into a factor of the previous. Solely e-tickets shall be issued at INOX, which has opened up at OMR’s Marina Mall. “Patrons will obtain an all-in-one reserving affirmation SMS. The 4 totally different hyperlinks in it won’t solely have your e-ticket, but additionally the auditorium’s seat chart and the situation of your seat, so that you simply don’t should enquire with anybody,” says Mohit Bhargava, regional director – South, INOX Leisure. The corridor can also be updating it’s menu with a bunch of wholesome choices, together with 2020’s hottest meals pattern: ‘immunity boosters.’ Moreover popcorn, you can too order power bars, inexperienced tea, soup, turmeric lattes and even rasam at your seat.
The brand new regular at AGS Cinemas, T Nagar
| Picture Credit score: R_Ragu
At AGS T Nagar, Vijay’s ‘Bigil’ is the massive attraction. The movie launched amidst a lot fanfare final 12 months throughout Deepavali, on the identical screens, and has made a comeback this week . “It was an apparent alternative and the response has been nice,” says Archana Kalpathi, CEO of AGS Cinemas and the artistic producer of the movie. Its ‘new regular first-day-first-show’ had about 40 attendees, in comparison with final 12 months’s present when it ran to packed homes. “There have been walk-ins as effectively. And for a 100-seater theatre with a 50 % occupancy rule, that’s fairly good,” says Archana, including {that a} buzzer system has been launched to order meals and drinks, in an try to keep away from over crowding close to the counters.
The worth of a ticket at AGS for the subsequent few days is ₹60, with parking costs waived. “That is to welcome audiences again to the screens,” she provides. Simply ensure you have your masks on. “Patrons with out masks shall be handled the identical manner we deal with people who find themselves inebriated.”
Whereas most multiplexes have relaunched with previous content material, some metropolis theatres are selecting to attend for brand spanking new content material earlier than they open their doorways. Rakesh Gowthaman has used the previous few months to spruce up Vettri Theatres in Chromepet. New seats have been put in within the balcony and an in-house kitchen shall be arrange. He hopes to open for audiences on Friday with new Tamil releases equivalent to ‘Biskoth’ and ‘Irandam Kuthu’. “We plan to have three exhibits (morning, matinee and night) in our two screens,” he says.
A packed home may nonetheless be a distant dream. However for now, theatre regulars can look ahead to contemporary content material on the massive display to make their Fridays extra entertaining.
(With inputs from Pradeep Kumar)
