Cinema VinesThursday has once again become a battleground for Mumbai’s single‑screen exhibitors, as they scramble to fit three blockbusters into a limited schedule. The long‑running hit Mirzapur The Movie (3 hours 17 minutes) and the steady performer Hanuman Ansh (2 hours 30 minutes) are both pulling in strong business, while the new release Haiwaan (2 hours 44 minutes) is also demanding screen time.
According to a trade source quoted by Bollywood Hungama, the situation is less of a fight than a logistical challenge. “The holdover films are doing exceptional business,” the source said. “Mirzapur The Movie had a huge weekend and continued its dream run on weekdays. Hanuman Ansh is rock‑steady. Their advance for the weekend is impressive in the multiplexes. Hence, theatres want to play these two films as well as Haiwaan, but that’s becoming an issue.”
As of 2:30 pm on September 10, none of Mumbai’s single‑screen theatres—including Plaza, Citylight, Star City, Chitra, New Excelsior, Gold Santacruz, PVR Le Reve, Regal, MovieTime Dahisar, MovieMax Andheri East, Gold Santa Cruz, Maratha Mandir, MovieTime Suburbia, and Bharatmata—have opened their plans for the three movies. Even two‑screen venues such as Mukta A2 Lalbaug and Topiwala MovieTime Malad have yet to reveal schedules.
Some exhibitors have made definitive choices. Anand Cinema in Thane will screen only Mirzapur The Movie in all shows, while Nishat Cinema will devote its entire program to Haiwaan. Ajanta CineX has arranged three shows of Haiwaan and one show each of Mirzapur The Movie and Hanuman Ansh. Across the country, the iconic Raj Mandir in Jaipur has set a timetable: Hanuman Ansh at 9:00 am, Haiwaan at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm, and Mirzapur The Movie at 6:15 pm and 10:00 pm.
With the three films vying for limited screen slots, the coming week will test the flexibility of single‑screen operators. Trade experts have praised Mirzapur The Movie as a “case study” for box‑office performance, and some predict a new trend: “At least ten films will be made based on web series.” The outcome of this scheduling showdown remains to be seen, but it underscores the growing pressure on single‑screen theatres to balance legacy hits with fresh releases.
