Film exhibitor Manoj Desai, CEO of G7 Multiplex (Gaiety Galaxy) and Maratha Mandir Cinema in Mumbai, has strongly criticized the release strategy of director Priyadarshan’s Bhooth Bangla, starring Akshay Kumar, alleging that the decision to delay advance bookings is hurting single-screen theatres. Commenting on the response to the paid preview, Desai said that the film did not open as expected. He also cited the success of Dhurandhar and DDLJ.
Film exhibitor Manoj Desai, CEO of G7 Multiplex (Gaiety Galaxy) and Maratha Mandir Cinema in Mumbai, has strongly criticized the release strategy of director Priyadarshan’s Bhooth Bangla, starring Akshay Kumar, alleging that the decision to delay advance bookings is hurting single-screen theatres.Speaking to FilmiFever, Desai said that he tried to reach out to Akshay Kumar regarding the issue.He said, “Pehli baat toh sabse badi complaint karne hai… main Akshay is trying out voicemail bhi kiya do-teen baar pe. He should understand this because they have stopped advance booking. Until the show comes out, they want to know first how it will go, then open booking. I am completely against it. That is the only reason I am doing this interview – to protest.”
“They want to end single screens.”
Desai didn’t hold back as he talked about the bigger impact single-screen cinemas will have.“Nahi restriction, humin khatam karna chahti hain. Theater nahi chalni dit ho – shame on you,” he said.He added that the public often travels long distances, only to find that reservations are not open.“Log kahan-kahan se aa rahe hain aur unko pata chalta hai booking khuli hi nahi hai. Why are they doing this injustice with one screen?” question.
Commenting on the response to the paid preview, Desai said that the film did not open as expected.“Jo hona chahiye woh nahi hai… phir bhi inko akkal nahi aa rahi hai. Akshay ko akkal nahi aa rahi hai. This is not how it works with theatres,” he said.
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He cites DDLJ and Dhurandhar as examples
Drawing comparisons, Desai pointed to the feature-length theatrical run of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.“DDLJ 30-40 saal se chal rahi hai… public kahan-kahan se nahi aati,” he said, stressing the importance of public outreach.He also cited Dhurandhar’s success, claiming that his own release strategy worked better.“Dhurandhar ke time kuch bhi late nahi hua. Advance booking turant khul gayi thi. Log in south wale ko akal hoti hai… yahan koi sense of understanding nahi hai,” he added.
“Not everyone can afford a Rs 500 ticket.”
Desai also addressed the pricing gap between multi-monitors and single-monitors.“Rate kam hai toh bhi public bhaag-bhaag ke aati hai. Aaj ke time pe Rs 500-600 sab nahi de sakte.”
“Economy ka hal dekho… aur aise time pe tum theater nahi chalne dete ho,” he said.
“Individual monitors are the backbone.”
Desai called for industry-wide support and said the issue goes beyond a single film.“Yeh sirf ek film ka nahi hai, har distributor aisa karta hai. Single screen cinemas support karna bahut zaroori hai. Agar cinema survives kar raha hai, toh single screens ki wajah se,” he said.Despite the concerns, Desai emphasized that exhibitors like him will continue to adapt, even if it means optioning other films to keep theaters running.
