Here’s what leading trade expert Komal Nahta predicts for Indian entertainment industry taking Spanish business example

Here’s what leading trade expert Komal Nahta predicts for Indian entertainment industry taking Spanish business example
Wednesday, August 12, 2020 14:57 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
The pandemic and the consequential lockdown around the global, hit the entertainment industry as the cinema theatres were shut and all production work on halt. Spain resumed theatre visits and opened its doors to theatre-goers. As a great news for big-screen entertainment in India, as in the rest of the world, the sequel of a Spanish film has done 8% better business so far during the pandemic times although lesser cinemas are operating in Spain now than last year when the film's first part was released. The sequel in question is titled Padre No Hay Mas Que Uno 2 (Father There Is Only One 2) and it is produced by Sony Pictures International Productions and Bowfinger. It is a family comedy sequel of a film released in 2019. The first part had grossed $15.9 million whereas the sequel, which opened on 29th July, could end up at over $17 million.

Taking Spanish industry's example, here's what Industry's trade expert Komal Nahta has to predict about Indian entertainment industry business. He shares, `If the same public sentiments were to be replicated in India when cinemas reopen, it would come as a lesson to all those Bollywood producers who rushed to premiere their films on OTT platforms, mainly on Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar and Netflix. For, the example of Spain might prompt them to think that they erred in hurrying to release their films, bypassing theatrical release.`

Interestingly, the number of cinemas currently open in Spain is 376 while for the original film, there were 539 cinemas. In other words, the sequel has done better than the first part, with 30% lesser cinemas, that too, with capacity restrictions ranging from 30% to 80% levels! It may also be mentioned here that Spain had one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe.

Opinion has been divided about whether people will return to cinemas once they reopen. The Spanish example gives hope that people all over the world are waiting to savour the cinemas, after the long instated pandemic lockdown. Hollywood studio Disney just recently announced that its multi-million dollar extravaganza, Mulan, would premiere on its OTT platform, Disney Plus.

Talking further on this particular case, Nahta shares, `It may be mentioned here that spurred on by the desire to help cinemas, producer Gutierrez approached Comscore and its London-based partner, Gower Street, to do a study on the implications of releasing the film in July/August. The film was earlier scheduled to hit the screens on 7th August but its release was advanced to 29th July. Comscore and Gower Street predicted, in the midst of great uncertainty, that it would be ideal to release the sequel in cinemas. Bowfinger's Gutierrez and Sony decided to go with the findings of the study, and the rest, as they say, is history.`

Definitely, the divide of opinion on OTT vs Theatres continues but this Spanish example stands as a hopeful example for all of us wanting to swarm the theatres, once the cinemas reopen.
Navjot Singh Sidhu Returns to The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 3: Laughter, Legacy, and a Legendary Comeback!

Comedy fans, rejoice! Former cricketer, politician, and television personality Navjot Singh Sidhu is

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Puja Sharma Makes Power-Packed Comeback After 7 Years with a Bold Grey Role in Star Plus' Jhanak!

After a seven-year hiatus, actress Puja Sharma is back — and she’s returning with fire in her eyes. Known

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Kamya Punjabi Breaks the Silence -'Me No Pause Me Play' Becomes the World's First Film on Menopause!

A historic cinematic moment unfolded today as the muhurat of “Me No Pause Me Play” was held in

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Father figures on-screen, real connections off-screen: Sony SAB artists celebrate fatherhood this Father's Day!

On the special occasion of Father's Day, Sony SAB actors share their personal experiences and thoughts

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
DocuBay Announces its Next Original Documentary - Gateway of Europe - The Migrant Crisis!

DocuBay, the leading platform for premium documentaries and part of IN10 Media Network, is set to

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT