Better no than late

It’s show time folks, cheered many in the Kannada film industry in relief, when the new timings for Kannada movies came into play. But the reality was far different.

While last Friday saw housefull shows during the day and in the evening for the Vijay starrer Taaqat and Upendra’s much-awaited Dubai Babu, the second shows (9.30 pm) on Saturday were cancelled in theatres like Aparna, Menaka and Kapali.

Sources from Kapali Theatre informed Metrolife that the theatre had just two or three people for the second show on Saturday, thanks to the confusion over the timing and the fear of late night. “As Friday was the release day of the film, we were forced to screen the film on all shows.”

“On Saturday, we saw the house full during the day but there was a huge drop for the 6.15 pm show and hardly anyone came in for the second show. This can be because of the confusion over the timings and the fear factor,” says the source.

Multiplexes, on the other hand, have not experienced much difference after the change in timing.

Comparing the response from what it used to be, the source from Kapali Theatre adds, “Even before the change in timings, we used to see at least 40 per cent to 50 per cent of the theatre filling up for the second show but now with the change it’s too much, we can’t keep the theatre open for just two to three people.”

Metrolife asked movie goers in the City their thoughts on the new show schedule and majority of them said that there was still a huge confusion over the change in timing.  Confusion is bound to be there.

After all, for more than a decade now, the movie timing for Kannada films have been 10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30 pm and 7.30 pm.

“For many years I have been heading straight from work to a theatre to catch the 7.30 show but now I really don’t know what to do till 9 pm. It will take some time to get used to the new timings,” says Kumar, who had come to watch Dubai Babu. “Enough publicity has been given on the change in timings but people have become so used to the old schedule that we end up reaching either early or late to the theatre,” says Chaitra, a lecturer. 

There is now a lot of attention on the shows at 9 pm and many movie goers are worried of two major factors, transport and security. Tejas, an area manager, says that with the change in timings, security has to beef up as getting out of Majestic at 12 in the night is a bit dangerous.

“I don’t mean to be biased but many who come to watch Kannada movies in Majestic area come intoxicated which can be a bit of a nuisance. Even walking around in the area after midnight is not safe,” he adds.

Uma, a school teacher, explains how there isn’t enough or regular transport. “Apart from security, which is one of the major concerns, there is also the issue of transport. It is difficult to get an auto in the City after 8 pm itself, I can only imagine what the situation will be after 12,” she adds.         

If the 9 pm show is targeted at the office-goers, the matinee show at 2.30 pm was decided keeping the women in mind.

“I am happy with the change. Earlier, when the matinee show was at 1.30 pm, I could never make it on time as I had to cook and take care of many household chores but now I have enough time on hand to make it on time,” explains Chandramati, housewife.
But will the change in the theatre timing bring in more people?

“I don’t know how much of a difference it will make to the movie because if the movie is really good, people will make time and watch it no matter what time it is screened,” adds Tejas.