In several years, this has been the most dismal Summer at the cinemas. Usually, April and May have at least two major releases at the box-office. This time, though, movies starring superstars have been conspicuous by their absence. The theatres in the Telugu States have been left in the lurch as a result. The situation is worse in Telangana compared with Andhra Pradesh because of the complete dominance of Multiplexes in Hyderabad and the lack of even minimal traction for small movies in the State.
In view of single screens running losses this Summer, the Telangana Theatres Association has decided to put a brake on showings. Single screens in Telangana will be closed down for the rest of the month.
It is learned that the single screens will resume functioning when 'Gangs Of Godavari', starring Vishwak Sen in the lead, comes out in theatres on May 31. "The theatres would have heaved a sigh of relief had 'GoG' not been postponed from May 17. With Sithara Entertainments moving the film forward by two weeks, the exhibitors felt that there is no point in incurring maintenance costs when the footfalls are negligible for small films. Recently, even films like 'Prasanna Vadanam' failed to attract audiences to theatres," a source says.
On May 31, Kajal Aggarwal's 'Satyabhama', Kartikeya Gummakonda's 'Bhaje Vaayu Vegam', and Sudheer Babu's 'Harom Hara' are also slated to be released.
