Salman says TV can`t replace theatres |
Bollywood`s Bhaijaan Salman Khan is awaiting the theatrical release of his next big film "Antim: The Final Truth”. COVID-19 and shutdown led to closure of cinemas and a newfound rush for movies and entertainment to be placed on OTT platforms and Digital media. Against this backdrop and talking about the delayed premiere of his film theatrically, Salman says nothing can replace the joy of watching a movie on the big screen. ANTIM directed by Mahesh Manjrekar is reportedly a remake of the 2018 hit Marathi crime drama "Mulshi Pattern". The action drama is billed as a "gripping tale of two powerful men" with polar opposite ideologies; one a cop and the other a gangster, played by Khan and Aayush Sharma, respectively. Despite the big change in the viewing pattern of the audience amidst the coronavirus lockdown, Salman said that people have slowly started coming back to theatres. Salman said “ o watch movies on laptop, iPad or on a small phone, there is not much joy... as compared to watching it with everyone on the big screen in a theatre. If you think small phones are an alternative to cinema halls, then it is not true”. Many states in India had allowed cinema halls to resume operations in the first half of 2021 at 50 percent occupancy with adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols. But, Bollywood`s home state, Maharashtra, also a prime market for Hindi films, permitted theatres to start anew only from October 22. "Antim" is slated to release in theatres worldwide on November 26. Khan, whose last release "Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai" arrived on Zee Plex through the streamer ZEE5 in India, said the film exhibition industry will eventually bounce back. He said "Whatever opening for a movie would have been there earlier at the box office before COVID-19, it should be 50 percent less now. The industry will come back, the alternate seating arrangements will also go away. Mostly everyone has been vaccinated now but we all still have to be careful”.
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