Director Tigmanshu Dhulia on Why Theaters Are Losing Real Audiences

Dhulia reminisces about the past when audiences would flock to single-screen theatres regardless of the film’s quality. “These theatres provided a communal viewing experience. People from different classes watched films together back then,” he reflects.

With the rise of multiplexes, he notes, many fans have been excluded. “Now, the divide between first-class and stall viewers has grown. Even if people possess the means, they often avoid multiplexes for family outings,” he explains.

As the director prepares for his upcoming film, Ghamasaan, featuring Pratik Gandhi and Arshad Warsi, he observes a decline in the appeal of cinema. “How many traditional 70-mm screens do we have left? Multiplexes often convert a large screen into several smaller auditoriums, all at inflated prices,” he asserts.

He argues that the revitalization of single-screen theatres could spur greater engagement with film. “In the South, single-screen theatres thrive and succeed due to controlled ticket pricing,” he highlights.

Challenging the notion that audiences possess shorter attention spans, Dhulia reasons, “People binge-watch shows and sports. The issue lies in the commercialization of the cinema experience—luxurious seating and dining have turned it into a spectacle rather than respectful artistry.” He concludes by emphasizing the need to cherish cinema as they do in European theatres.