On Sunday, bookings for live screenings of the India-Pakistan cricket clash at the ICC men’s
T20 World Cup, which was the first big sporting event after the full reopening of bars, restaurants, clubs, and theatres were sold out at most major locations. Restaurants had set up big screens and
cinemas were fully booked to host the screenings. However, on Sunday evening, heavy showers across Noida, Delhi, and Gurgaon dampened the screening plans.
Restaurants made quick changes to shift screening indoorsSeveral restaurants which made arrangements for outdoor screenings had to quickly make alternate arrangements.
Unplugged Courtyard in
Connaught Place, which was hosting match on a giant screen, had to make a quick change of plans with switching on the TV inside the restaurant. A staff member of the restaurant told us, "Due to rains, many people changed their plans and didn't turn up. While those who did were seated inside otherwise we had grand hosting plans."
Multiplex chains offered screenings at several locations and while cinemas are yet to see a houseful movie post reopening, the match screening was indeed houseful.
Unlike restaurants, cinemas didn't see much last-minute cancellations, however cable network disruption continued for some time. Antara Mor, who went for a screening with her family said, "We had to change our plans last minute because of rain. We made advance arrangements in Delhi at a restaurant but had to let it go. But instead, we went to a cinema hall for the screening."
Vineet Grover, another viewer who went to a cinema hall for screening told us, "At the cinema hall where we were attending the screening, there were constant disruptions and I had to go out several times on my phone because I didn't want to miss the screening."
Theatres' officials said that this being India's the first match in the tournament and against Pakistan generated a great response
Viewers wanted to leave once they realised India is losing, but they stayedA
PVR official said, "We had over 90% bookings across NCR where we made arrangements for the live screening. For matches, it was among the best bookings so far even before pre-pandemic."
Cinemas also arranged for tattoo artists and
dhols to liven the ambience.
INOX officials said as the was the first match in the tournament and against
Pakistan so they received great response. A staff member said, "Of course, there was a pent-up demand. Unlike many other things, the
Indo-Pak match is not something that people wanted to watch at home. Viewers wanted to leave once they realised India is losing, but they stayed. Even as we lost the match, but it was an interesting match and people told us they were excited to be back, and people stayed till the end hoping it will get around."