I love the sense and feel of watching a film on the big screen. The anonymity that a crowded theatre grants is something I have always cherished. The collective groan over no smoking ads, overpriced snacks, and popcorn, exciting trailers that draw whistles and claps – what we witness in a theatre has become akin to basic entertainment, something that we have taken for granted till now. There is something to be said about revelling in audience reactions in an Indian theatre. However, with the threat of COVID looming large over cinema theatres, the idea of First Day First Shows–a ritual in Tamil cinema for stars like Rajinikanth, Kamal, Vijay and Ajith – or other shows for that matter seem like a distant dream.

The theatre-going world has dissolved to a question mark, thanks to a global pandemic.  When Christopher Nolan’s Tenet hit some screens abroad, I tried to protect myself from spoilers. Gone are the days when I could just book a ticket and watch a much-expected movie in a theatre. As I scrolled through social media and looked at Tenet posts longingly, something hit me. This is the new normal. The normal where we must measure every step we take outside our gates; the normal where going to a theatre and getting the heebie jeebies over an infection is real. I once remember watching a Marathi film in a movie theatre which had some intimate scenes. The resulting reactions for my neighbours were funny to an extent but also eye-opening. The theatre going audience in an average Indian cinema hall is so varied. While a cross section of people is there for just the experience, a few are the ‘shushers’, a few are the talking-on-the-phone folks, while a few others are there for the comforts. Now that this beloved taken-for-granted experience is snatched away from us rather abruptly, the yearning to go watch a movie even with its hits and misses, has only increased.

It is never the same, watching a movie at home, especially a work of art that is meant for the big screen. The rush and the magnanimity a theatre provides apart from the sheer brilliance of technical aspects in some films is an experience that is better left untouched. OTT platforms do offer the comfort and space to watch a film without much fuss. Not to mention the reduced expenses on movies. Another point that lifts the OTT flag high is the sheer range of entertainment available at reasonable costs. From movies of all genres to TV series of different languages, these platforms have it all.

The pandemic has resulted in OTT platforms witnessing a record increase in subscriptions. Big ticket movies like Gulabo Sitabo, Ponmagal Vandhal, Shankuntala Devi, Soorarai Pottru have opted for OTT releases, as it makes financial sense in the current times. But the backlash from theatre owners and producers has led to turmoil and questions the future at stake. Theatre owners have been vocal about their ‘disappointment’ with stars and directors for opting for the online model. Alternatively, the co-existence of OTT platforms and cinema theatres might be a good path for the future. Gen Z audience consume a lot of content – entertainment and news – from their smartphones. The move from the theatre to a smaller screen has been gradual but imminent. Even film festivals that consider theatres as the holy grail have moved to the virtual space. And the pandemic has hastened this journey, with many saving a buck or two in the process.

It is important to note that theatres are not just about entertainment value. There are many livelihoods that depend on the theatre-going business, livelihoods that have taken a huge hit due to the pandemic. The world of cinema as we know it has changed. The direction and the production business have witnessed a shift in the way they work, and theatres too are going the extra mile to make sure the audiences know about measures taken to ensure safety on the premises if and when they open. Advertisements and social media posts of these theatre giants pacify audiences on the protocols followed to ensure safety. Theatre companies are also keeping themselves busy by getting prepared for the new normal. There have even been calls to reopen theatres soon from mainstream artistes in Indian cinema.

With the hopes that theatres might open soon, and sanitation measures are in place, will we still want to go to a theatre to watch a film? Would we still bring our families to this place which sees a conference of many people where guaranteeing a contactless experience is a tough sell? The Hindu recently reported on a study by Mumbai-based media consulting firm, Ormax Media, which said that if theatres do open, at least 28% of regular film-goers still want to go to movie theatres,  if a film they want to watch was showing. In a series of surveys conducted in March 2020 in view of the ever-changing situation, the study showed that at least 72% of film lovers would stay away from theatres till Corona stops being a threat.

A friend from abroad who ventured to a theatre to watch Tenet said that he was comfortable with the safety measures in place. The seats were allotted with gaps in between and there was adequate sanitation to appease his corona fears. These instances are however limited and while normalcy is slowly getting restored in the country, mass gatherings within a closed space is still a cause for worry. With major releases getting postponed and more and more movies finding a space on OTT platforms due to lack of other options, the troubled future of this exciting part of our lives is a cause for concern. Will I not worry about unsanitised counters or seats? Will I be able to fully concentrate on the film when someone near me is coughing or sneezing? As of now, only time will tell.