SCRIPTING SUCCESSFUL STORIES

Theatre audiences are drawn to good stories more than the star cast of a film, insist industry analysts

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Indian theatres have been seeing healthy business ever since they reopened in February this year. Now, producers of Hindi films have secured more weeks for films from multiplexes before they are released on streaming platforms. Hindi films will be shown in theatres for eight weeks now as opposed to four weeks earlier. After eight weeks, they will be released on streaming platforms.

An important question worth asking here is whether increased number of weeks for a Hindi film in theatres can revive the industry, which has been recording a series of flops in recent times.

Film-making is an uncertain business. Films have been oscillating between two extremes ever since theatres began screening movies yet again after coronavirus-induced restrictions were withdrawn. If a film is liked by the audience, it becomes a hit. And, if it is disliked by the audience, it turns out to be a disaster.

As per estimates by trade analysts, of the 20 films that have been released since March 22, only 2 films have done 'average' business. The remaining films have either been massive hits or total disasters at the box office.

Since March 22, more than 35 films have been released in theatres. Of these, 22 films (close to 71%) have been flops (losing 50% or more of their investments) and 2 have been blockbusters (earnings more than

200% and incremental