Director Suresh Babu Says Telangana Single Screen Theatres Should Be Converted Into ‘Function Halls’, Here’s Why
Director and producer Suresh Babu in a recently suggested that Telangana's single screen theatres should be converted into 'function halls'. He believes that IPL and OTT platforms has killed the Tollywood industry. Scroll down to find more details.
Hyderabad: A hot topic in Tollywood right now is the shutting down of cinemas, especially single-screen ones. This comes after a period with few big releases due to elections and the Indian Premier League. Film producer Suresh Babu weighed in on the issue, suggesting that closing the theaters might be unavoidable. Scroll down to find more details.
‘Theatres Must Be Turned Into Function Halls’ Says Suresh Babu
While reports emerged of a temporary closure for many single-screen theaters in Telangana due to low attendance, the Producers Council maintains that only a few have shut down and most remain operational. However, film producer Suresh Babu expressed concern about the growing influence of OTT platforms, which he believes are drawing audiences away from cinemas.
Suresh Babu said, “At that time, audiences used to come to the theaters in large numbers during summers. They used to do so for AC in the theaters to withstand the heat outside. But now the situation has changed. Due to OTTs, a lot of content has reached the audience. As a result, they are watching only the best content on the silver screen, or movies with good star rating (sic).”
He, further added, “Due to this, the number of audience in the theaters has decreased. There is nothing much to do except that Bahusha theaters may have to be converted into function halls or real estate ventures (sic).”
Suresh Babu On IPL
Suresh Babu also weighed in on the possibility of cinemas showing IPL matches during lulls in the movie release schedule. He said, “From now on, only films with content will run. That’s why directors should focus on such things. Moreover, they should market their films on a large scale in digital media and make the audience come to theatres (sic).”
The rise of OTT platforms and the cricket season (IPL) seem to be taking a toll on cinema attendance. The lack of major star-driven releases this summer might be another factor in theater closures. There’s a perception that Telugu cinema is prioritising commercial elements over strong storytelling. Hopefully, more directors will focus on creating films with compelling content alongside entertainment value.
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