70 percent theaters shut down in AP
These are tough times for the theaters in the Telugu States. With the entry of OTT platforms, already theater business has turned into a loss venture but now the summer season – one of the bankable seasons has turned into unseason this year. The election fever has caught up big time both in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is more so in Andhra Pradesh with both the assembly and parliament elections happening. The severe heatwave has impacted the footfall in the theaters. In the evenings, IPL is affecting the footfalls.
Overall, the situation is worse for the theaters and as a result, 70 percent of the theaters in Andhra Pradesh have been shut. With shockingly low footfalls, the exhibitors are not interested in screening films for losses. There are not many exciting films getting released in April or May.
The situation is more or less similar in Telangana. Will the situation get better post-election? Well, we have to wait and see.