<p>Bengaluru: Film producers Mukesh R Mehta, Balwant Singh and Girish Johar engaged in a conversation about the challenges and opportunities in regional film distribution. </p><p>The session was moderated by Anup Chandrashekhar and film critic Latha Srinivasan.</p>.BIFFes 2025: Mainstream cinema is full of toxicity, says veteran film critic Maithili Rao.<p>The panelists spoke about the changes in content viewing post pandemic. “People have to commit about three-four hours to watch a movie at the theatres when they can watch one at home without worrying about the other costs,” said Johar. He also added: There's nothing like going to a theatre and enjoying a film. </p><p><br>Mehta shared, “Close to 950 movies release every year and only about 50-60 are released exclusively on streaming platforms. So there still are many films to watch exclusively in the theatres.” </p><p><br>“The Cinema Hall will never die and the main problem is that India is under-screened”. He said that India has only 7,000 screens compared to China’s 70,000 showcasing the lack of screens.</p><p><br>Speaking about rental theatres and their model of revenue, Singh said, “Multiplexes will come only if there is a mall and in tier 2 and 3 cities. It is not possible in the immediate future as it is a capital intensive option.” </p><p>Johar added: “There is a lack of transparency regarding ticket booking in India and there should be an automation of information.” </p><p>Mehta stated that the reason people are not too keen on films is because the music of the current set of movies is not catchy like those of the old times. </p><p>On talking about international revenues, Mehta exclaimed about how Malayalam films have cracked the international film market. Johar believes that the Indian diaspora are now watching movies in theatres abroad.” He also stated that corporatisation has immensely helped the film industry.</p><p><br>When asked about piracy, the panel had strong opinions. Johar said, “Back in the day people used to sell DVD’s in carts for Rs 10 but that didn't stop audiences from going to the cinema. Similarly, piracy will not stop people going to the theatres”. Mehta voiced his displeasure about the messaging app Telegram asserting that the government must ban it as it affects film producers.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Film producers Mukesh R Mehta, Balwant Singh and Girish Johar engaged in a conversation about the challenges and opportunities in regional film distribution. </p><p>The session was moderated by Anup Chandrashekhar and film critic Latha Srinivasan.</p>.BIFFes 2025: Mainstream cinema is full of toxicity, says veteran film critic Maithili Rao.<p>The panelists spoke about the changes in content viewing post pandemic. “People have to commit about three-four hours to watch a movie at the theatres when they can watch one at home without worrying about the other costs,” said Johar. He also added: There's nothing like going to a theatre and enjoying a film. </p><p><br>Mehta shared, “Close to 950 movies release every year and only about 50-60 are released exclusively on streaming platforms. So there still are many films to watch exclusively in the theatres.” </p><p><br>“The Cinema Hall will never die and the main problem is that India is under-screened”. He said that India has only 7,000 screens compared to China’s 70,000 showcasing the lack of screens.</p><p><br>Speaking about rental theatres and their model of revenue, Singh said, “Multiplexes will come only if there is a mall and in tier 2 and 3 cities. It is not possible in the immediate future as it is a capital intensive option.” </p><p>Johar added: “There is a lack of transparency regarding ticket booking in India and there should be an automation of information.” </p><p>Mehta stated that the reason people are not too keen on films is because the music of the current set of movies is not catchy like those of the old times. </p><p>On talking about international revenues, Mehta exclaimed about how Malayalam films have cracked the international film market. Johar believes that the Indian diaspora are now watching movies in theatres abroad.” He also stated that corporatisation has immensely helped the film industry.</p><p><br>When asked about piracy, the panel had strong opinions. Johar said, “Back in the day people used to sell DVD’s in carts for Rs 10 but that didn't stop audiences from going to the cinema. Similarly, piracy will not stop people going to the theatres”. Mehta voiced his displeasure about the messaging app Telegram asserting that the government must ban it as it affects film producers.</p>