Cinema VinesOn August 10, Bollywood Hungama reported that PVR Inox Pictures, the distributors of the film Batwara 1947, had initially demanded that all shows in single‑screen cinemas be allocated to the movie. The demand came on the heels of the upcoming release of Awarapan 2 on Friday, August 14, and added to exhibitors’ mounting frustrations. The distributors’ original request called for seven daily shows in two‑screen theatres, ten in three‑screen multiplexes, twelve in four‑screen cinemas and fifteen in five‑screen multiplexes, with 60‑70% of the total slot time dedicated to Batwara 1947.
According to a later update, the distributors have softened their stance. They now accept a 50‑50 split of screen time between Batwara 1947 and Awarapan 2, a move that will also apply to single‑screen venues. While most single‑screen theatres nationwide have yet to open bookings, the iconic Raj Mandir Cinema in Jaipur has already allotted two shows each to the two films. An exhibition source told Bollywood Hungama, “Earlier, their requirement was that 60% to 70% of the shows should be allotted to Batwara 1947. However, they have now taken note of the exhibitors’ concerns. As a result, they have agreed to a 50‑50 showcasing arrangement for both films.”
Even as this compromise eases one pressure point, exhibitors face a new challenge from the distributors of Spider‑Man: Brand New Day. On Tuesday, Sony sent an email demanding a substantial number of shows for the superhero film. The directive calls for a minimum of two daily shows in single‑screen cinemas, at least three in two‑screen venues, and a full screen of five shows a day in three‑screen cinemas. Four‑screen theatres are asked to provide seven to eight shows, including at least one evening and one night slot, while five‑screen cinemas must offer nine shows. For properties with six screens or more, Sony wants 11 to 12 shows, with a minimum of two screens dedicated to the film.
A trade source explained that Sony’s insistence stems from the film’s strong box‑office performance, noting it collected around Rs. 9 crores on Tuesday and is expected to continue its momentum over the Independence Day weekend. The source added, “Sony’s directive has once again left exhibitors anxious as they are unsure how to divide the shows between the three films. Of course, Sony feels justified in making these demands as Spider‑Man: Brand New Day continues to remain rock‑solid at the box office.” The challenge for cinema owners is to allocate the limited screen time in a way that satisfies all three distributors.
An exhibitor from Nawalgarh, Rajasthan, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed the typical dilemma: “We always face this problem of doing ‘batwara’ of shows while making sure that none of….” The statement was cut short, but it underscored the ongoing tension between distributors’ demands and exhibitors’ capacity to meet them while keeping audiences happy.
