Gone are the days when our films used to run for several weeks in theatres. These days, it’s a rarity for a movie to have a long run. There are many reasons for this, but the key ones are the lack of strong content, high ticket prices, and early OTT releases. With big films arriving on digital platforms barely a month after their theatrical release, people aren’t showing much interest in visiting cinemas.
At such a time, a Hollywood film managing a 42-day trending streak on BMS (India) is nothing short of a sensation. The movie in question is F1 (F1: The Movie), headlined by Brad Pitt. The sports drama hit the big screens on June 27 and, hasn’t gone out of 24 hours trending on the ticketing platform even to date. At the Indian box office, the movie has earned over Rs. 100 crores.
F1 has delivered a spectacular theatrical experience to audiences. Even six weeks after release, its footfalls remain strong. To put things in perspective, the film has already recorded nearly 40% occupancy for tonight’s show at one of India’s biggest screens, PCX in Hyderabad, and this can easily go higher by the time the show commences.
With no clarity on its digital release, people are still flocking to theatres to watch this spectacle. The success of F1 shows that good content alone isn’t enough. Filmmakers should also ensure such movies don’t arrive on OTT too soon. Keeping them off digital platforms for a longer period will surely encourage repeat visits to cinemas.
If a Hollywood outing like F1, which is considered a niche project in India, can have a 42-day streak on BMS, our films can also achieve such a dream run provided makers focus on affordable ticket pricing, delayed OTT releases, and strong storytelling. Movies are best enjoyed on the big screen, and the industry must work together to keep theatre culture alive.