This story is from October 18, 2020

Poor footfall as cinema halls reopen in Patna

Movie buffs seem to be avoiding the theatres even though a couple of cinema halls in the city have reopened as per the Centre’s Unlock 5.0 guidelines.
Poor footfall as cinema halls reopen in Patna
People outside a cinema hall in Patna
PATNA: Movie buffs seem to be avoiding the theatres even though a couple of cinema halls in the city have reopened as per the Centre’s Unlock 5.0 guidelines.
Elphinstone near Gandhi Maidan lifted its curtains after nearly seven months on Saturday, but the footfall in its three shows remained in single digit. “I have not seen such a poor turnout in our shows in the 22 years of my career.
We ran three shows of late Sushant Singh starrer Kedarnath, but only six, nine and six people respectively came to see the movie,” said Sharad Gupta, manager of The Premiere Square, which houses Elphinstone and Mona cinema halls. Mona has not been reopened yet, he said.
When asked about sanitation, Sharad said: “We are using the disinfectants and chemicals on the chairs and all around the hall as per the guidelines of World Health Organisation and Union health ministry. Even the railings are being disinfected after every show.”
According to the Centre’s guidelines, only 50% of the total seats have to keep for the audience with markers made at the entry and exit points. Adequate physical distancing has to be ensured while seating and seats ‘not to be occupied’ shall be marked accordingly.
On being asked about the possible reason behind poor footfall, Sharad said: “People are probably scared of Covid-19 pandemic and cutting on expenditure owing to the financial stress being faced by many.”
Cinepolis, a multiplex in Patliputra Colony, is also witnessing poor footfall. “We are running five movies in six shows, but the footfall was very poor. A possible reason behind it seems to be screening of already released movies. Since new movies are not being released for theatres at present, people might not be interested in watching the old movies. We hope the footfall will increase after the release of new movies,” an executive at Cinepolis said.
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