Is the lack of cinema halls hampering Bidurbhai's business?

Assamese film director Suvrot Kakoty, known for his latest film "Bidurbhai," has called attention to the pressing need for more cinema halls in Assam. In an exclusive interview with IndiaTodayNE, Kakoty emphasized that the current number of 60-70 cinema halls in the state is inadequate to meet the demands of Assam's enthusiastic entertainment-loving population.

Kakoty argued that it is the government's responsibility to facilitate the growth of the film business by establishing more cinema venues. He highlighted the disparity between box office collections and actual profits received by producers. Citing the example of the film "Shri Raghupati," which grossed 13.6 crore at the box office, Kakoty noted that the producer only received 6 crore, which is approximately 40 to 45% of the total profit.

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"Even though it may seem that movies are making crores at the box office, the reality is different," Kakoty said. "While 'Bidurbhai' has gained many accolades and popularity, the inner reality is different. Due to the lack of cinema halls, our profits are not as high as they could be. If there were a sufficient number of cinema halls, our earnings could have been ten times greater."

Kakoty stressed that the limited number of cinema halls hampers the success of even highly anticipated films, despite the strong cultural pride and love for Assamese movies and dramas among the population. He pointed out that areas in Upper Assam and districts such as Nalbari, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, and Barpeta are prime locations for building more cinema halls due to their large populations.

"Assam has immense potential for movies, but due to our smaller population and the limited number of cinema halls, even highly anticipated films struggle," Kakoty said. "For a population that has such a strong cultural pride, 60-70 cinema halls are insufficient. We need more cinema halls outside of Guwahati, and this is the government's responsibility."

Kakoty's call to action highlights the critical need for infrastructure development in Assam's film industry, aiming to unlock the full potential of Assamese cinema and ensure fair profits for producers.