Hyderabad: Cinematic Hub Faces an Unprecedented Lull
Hyderabad, a city known for its vibrant cinema culture, finds its iconic movie halls unusually quiet. The once bustling theaters are now witnessing a stark decline in footfall.
A recent image shared by the Manager of Technical Operations at Prasads, a renowned theater in the city, has left film enthusiasts in disbelief. The photograph depicts an eerily empty Prasads Theatre, a stark contrast to the usual crowds seen every Friday, eagerly awaiting new releases. Typically, the venue buzzes with activity from cinema reviewers, media personnel, and fans lining up at the box office.
The primary reason behind this deserted appearance is the lack of major cinematic releases. Tollywood is currently facing a dearth of high-profile films, leading to a significant drop in attendance. Anticipated blockbusters like “Pushpa 2” and “Kalki 2898 AD” are scheduled for release only in the latter half of 2024. Additionally, the ongoing Indian Premier League and legislative elections are contributing factors to the empty theaters.
In response to the prolonged box office slump, the Telangana State Single Theater Association has decided to close single-screen theaters across the state for ten days. This decision aims to address the financial strain caused by insufficient box office collections to meet daily operational costs.