Mumbai under terror siege; movie releases in limbo

GOA: The tragic terror attacks on Mumbai city from 26 November, 9.45 pm onwards, have inadvertently affected the entire city and hence also the film industry. Mumbai is the hub of the Hindi film industry and with these dastardly acts, producers and distributors are waiting to see how the scene pans out, which will then decide whether movies slated to release tomorrow will see the light of the day in the city.

While some producers remain upbeat on their movie’s release, the dispatching of prints from Mumbai to different parts of the country is likely to face some delay.

UTV Motion Pictures’ Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, which is slated for release on 28 November, will release all over India. UTV Motion Pictures CEO Siddharth Roy Kapur told Businessofcinema.com that they were ready to release the film in rest of the country as well as Mumbai tomorrow as per schedule if multiplexes opened their doors, depending on the situation. "We are ready to release our movie in Mumbai but if properties remain shut due to the tragic situation, we will abide by the decision and take a decision depending on when the situation betters."

On the other hand, producer Rohan Sippy postponed the release of The President Is Coming all over India. "It is a wrong time to release the movie. My film is a light hearted comic film, so its release in such times does not make sense to me. Moreover, since it is a small film, it was not very inconvenient to postpone the movie," said Sippy. The film was slated to release digitally all over India.

Mumbai Mantra’s first Hindi release Sorry Bhai! has not shifted its release. "We will release the movie as per schedule," informed Mumbai Mantra CEO Indranil Chakraborty.

In a simultaneous development, multiplexes and single screens across the city shut shutters on Thursday. The Mumbai Commissioner informed that multiplexes and malls across Mumbai will remain shut until further notice. Commencement of operations is subject to the law and order situation in the city, informed multiplex officials that Businessofcinema.com spoke to.

Theatres remained closed throughout the day on Thursday; the decision for Friday is uncertain at this time.

Mumbai has been under siege since last night wherein terrorists took several guests hostage at two high profile five star hotels, The Trident – Oberoi at Nariman Point and The Taj Apollo Bunder in Colaba.

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Rohini Bhandari

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