The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Now cinemas draw good crowd

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 24, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Now cinemas draw good crowd

By Karthik Subramanian

CHENNAI, OCT. 23. Crowds are back at movie halls in the city. Trade sources here day the good run that movies experienced following the State Government's clampdown on video piracy has spilled over to the puja holidays.

Newly released movies, including M.Kumaran, son of Mahalakshmi and 7/G, Rainbow Colony, have had repeat audiences. Chellamay released a couple of weeks ago has also picked up earnings.

The average increase of earnings according to Trade sources is estimated to be around 20 per cent in last three weeks.

But even as the producers and exhibitors rejoice at turnout, an incident of harassment at a theatre in Koyambedu last week highlighted the need to improve facilities and security at cinema halls.

The police arrested seven drunken youths during the matinee show at the theatre screening 7G, Rainbow Colony this Monday, after they harassed a young couple and thoroughly disturbed the entire audience. People spent Rs. 67 each for their balcony ticket.

"Having paid so much money, the least we expect is a decent movie-watching experience," one of the persons, who turned up at the theatre with his family, said.

Most of the theatres advertise asking their audience not to take liquor inside the movie hall. A theatre manager said it was not practical to prevent people who have taken liquor from entering the theatre. "There are bars operating in several hotels near the theatres. It will be impossible to run such checks. We can only request people not to create a nuisance," the manager of a leading theatre complex, on condition of anonymity, said.

But not all theatres are lax when it comes to security arrangements.

Abirami Mega Mall in Purasawalkam has installed 64 surveillance cameras in its complex. A security team keeps vigil nothing untoward happens within its premises.

Abirami's executive director Nallammai Ramanathan told The Hindu "Ultimately it is an individual decision for theatre-owners to take on whether or not to spend extra in improving facilities in security.

"We have to respect our audiences and create a good atmosphere for them in our theatres. Coming out as a family and enjoying movies is an experience. Nothing should come in its way," she added.

Sathyam Cineplex in Royapettah employs 42 security persons, who maintain a vigil on its theatres.

The men, sporting tee shirts bearing the theatre's name, help the audience in case any of them had a problem. The theatre's manager, Muni Kannaiya, said there were not too many untoward incidents reported at their theatres for a few years now.

"The manner in which we have projected ourselves as a upmarket theatre for the family audiences has been a deterrent for trouble mongers," he added.

Both Abirami and Sathyam request for police bandobust during their screenings as a precautionary measure.

Black is back

However, a fall-out of the increased crowds at theatres is the spurt in black market tickets. On Saturday, several touts were seen having a field day outside Devi Theatre complex in Anna Salai, selling tickets for 7/G, Rainbow Colony and Chellamay at highly inflated rates.

While a few theatres have thrown open their ticket counters from dawn to dusk to facilitate easier buying for movie fans, most theatres still open the counters just half-an-hour before the show.

Far from being a discomfort, the arrangement works in favour of the touts, who somehow manage to get the tickets.

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