Multiplexes may not open today

The 24-hour bandh on Monday saw the entertainment industry in Kolkata suffer as major multiplexes in the city - Inox Forum & City Centre, 89 Cinemas and Fame-Hiland Park, remained closed.

The multiplexes may not be open to public even on Tuesday.

Inox Forum and City Centre each see footfall of close to 2500 per weekday.

Fame and 89 Cinemas each see footfall of around 1400-1800 per weekday.

During weekdays, ticket sales in the multiplexes range between Rs 2,24,000 and Rs 4,00,000.

According to sources, last weekend multiplexes ran full during evenings and had 95 per cent occupancy during non-peak hours as 'Om Shanti Om' (OSO) and 'Saawariya' opened.

Multiplexes expected at least 50 per cent occupancy on November 12 as this was the first weekday after the blockbuster releases.

"So far, whenever a blockbuster hits Inox Forum, we see a 95 per cent occupancy rate on the first weekday mornings," said a Inox source.

Even otherwise, multiplexes see school and college-goers dominating during weekday mornings as tickets are cheaper by about 50 per cent.

For weekdays, Saawariya and OSO tickets have been priced at most multiplexes between Rs 80 and Rs 100 for the morning shows, which go up to Rs 200-250 during the day.

About 20 per cent of multiplex seats were booked for Monday.

"We were expecting atleast 50 per cent occupancy on Monday as the first weekday after releases," said a source at Fame.

"Monday was a disaster and we are not sure if we would open on Tuesday," said a source at 89 Cinemas.