Why Chhattisgarhi movies have been forsaken by multiplexes, questions noted Chhollywood director Manoj Verma.
His movie ‘Mahu Kunwara Tahun Kunwari’, which was the first hit Chhollywood production this year, was unceremoniously removed from a theater in Rajnandgaon without prior notice. The incident sparked the protest against the multiplexes which are reluctant in screening Chhattisgarhi movies.
Following the incident, Chhattisgarhi film association decided to stage protest before all multiplex cinemas on June 5, the day ‘Bharat’ the much-awaited movie of Salman Khan is scheduled to hit the theaters.
“Through this protest we want to make them realize that how depriving opportunity can really makes the damage,” Verma said.
Sharing the reason behind multiplex cinemas not unwilling to screen Chhattisgarhi films, Verma said the multiplexes feel that the audience of Chhattisgarhi movies will not purchase popcorns and cold-drinks from their food stalls, which will bring down their profit margins.
“I want to ask them- are you selling popcorns in the name of cinema? It is like giving priority to a side business rather than focusing on primary one,” he argued.
In reality Hindi Movies are also generating money from the same Chhattisgarhi audience. So what is the problem with Chhattisgarhi movies and their audiences, he asks.
According to Verma the other problem is the timing of screening. Chhattisgarhi movies are offered odd time slots like morning 10 am show.
“If they provide us prime time (evening shows) then they impose certain impractical clause like the producers will have to purchase at least 100 tickets with snack combo or others,” Verma claimed.
“Despite all these hurdles if somehow, they consider screening of our movies then we are informed about it only one or two days in advance thereby giving us hardly enough time to tell our audiences that our movie is being exhibited in multiplexes, which again hits the business of the movie,” he says.
Verma is hopeful that the current regime in the state headed by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is sensitive towards promoting Chhattisgarhi culture, art and language and will definitely do some good to Chhollywood.