Film show timings changed in Karnataka

Bangalore, May 10 (IANS) Faced with dwindling revenues at the theatres, the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC) has announced new show timings in an attempt to woo the audience.

Jayamala, the president of KFCC, said the decision to change the film show timings in the theatres across the state was taken in consultations with the Kannada film producers, distributors and exhibitors.

Currently theatres across state have four shows starting at 10.30 a.m., 1.30 p.m, 4.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.

Now according to KFCC, the show timings will be changed to 11.15 or 11.30 a.m., 2.30 or 2.45 p.m., 6.15 or 6.30 p.m. and 9.00 or 9.30 p.m. The timings will come to effect May 15.

"We feel that the changed timings will facilitate more audiences to visit the theatres. We have also taken permission from the deputy commissioners of the districts for these changed timings," said Jayamala.

Veteran film producer-distributor K.C.N. Kumar, and the secretary of KFCC, said: "All the three segments of the film industry had expressed their opinion that the changed timings would certainly increase the morning show and night show collections in theatres."

However, some people in the film industry are sceptical about any remarkable improvement in collections in the theatres.

"It looks as if the Kannada film producers are desperately trying to do every thing to bring in the cynical audiences to the theatres. The audiences are fed up with the way producers are dishing out bad films one after the other. This new change in show timings will not placate the audience who have shunned bad Kannada films," said a film director.

"The producers are better advised to make good films and attract the audiences. How do you explain the wonderful collections for non-Kannada films like 'Ghajini', 'Ayan', 'Billa' and 'Arundathi'?, " the director questioned.