Anurag Kashyap's Bold Take: Has Bollywood Lost Its Magic in Multiplexes?

Anurag Kashyap, known for his forthright opinions on Bollywood, has expressed his disillusionment with the current state of movie-going in multiplexes and theatres, claiming they have "destroyed" the essence of watching films. The renowned director of Gangs of Wasseypur has openly voiced his preference for film festivals over traditional movie theatres to avoid the barrage of ads that disrupt the cinematic experience.

The filmmaker's passion for cinema, initially fueled by the magic of the big screen, has waned due to the excessive commercial interruptions that now plague movie screenings. Kashyap, who once entered the film industry out of love for cinema, finds himself disillusioned with the way films are presently showcased in theatres. He remarked on how the influx of advertisements has diminished his enjoyment of films, a sentiment that has led him to question the future of independent cinema. Kashyap admits to feeling uncertain about what lies ahead, focusing instead on addressing the immediate challenges faced by him and his contemporaries in the filmmaking community.

Kashyap's criticism extends to the broader implications of the rise of Over The Top (OTT) platforms, which, while offering a more personal viewing experience, have contributed to the isolation of audiences. The communal aspect of movie-watching laughing, crying, and reacting alongside strangers in a theatre cannot be replicated on these platforms, leading to a shift in how audiences consume films.

This shift towards OTT viewing is compounded by the financial strategies employed by theatres to stay afloat amidst declining attendance. To cover the costs of operation, theatres have resorted to increasing ticket prices, selling overpriced food, and, notably, extending the duration of pre-film advertisements. A recent incident highlighted the public's growing frustration with this trend when a man in Bengaluru filed a lawsuit against PVR-INOX for dedicating 25 minutes to ads before the start of a movie.

Despite these challenges, film festivals remain a refuge for those seeking an undisturbed cinematic experience, as they typically do not feature the extensive advertising that commercial theatres do. However, this solution is not viable for the mainstream movie industry, heavily reliant on advertising revenue from both films and theatre screenings. The predicament poses a significant hurdle with no immediate resolution in sight, though Kashyap and many others in the film industry remain hopeful for a future solution that can reconcile these issues.