Director suggests serving alcohol in theaters, gets schooled
As the predicament for theater owners continues amid the coronavirus pandemic, everyone is coming with their own set of ideas as to how they can resurge. Well, one innovative idea came from director Nag Ashwin, who suggested that theaters could be allowed to serve wine and beer to increase footfall. Needless to say, netizens weren't too pleased with his suggestion.
Taking to Twitter, Ashwin wrote, "Once in a talk with Suresh babu garu and rana, it came up what if theaters get license to serve beer/breezer/wine, like in other countries... could it increase footfalls (sic)." "Could it save the theater business (which does need saving)... what do you think?" he added. "Good idea, bad idea?" the director asked fellow netizens.
Once In a talk with suresh babu garu and rana, it came up what if theaters get license to serve beer/breezer/wine, like in other countries..could it increase footfalls...could it save the theater business (which does need saving)...wat do you think? Good idea, bad idea?
— Nag Ashwin (@nagashwin7) May 15, 2020
Obviously, his idea wasn't received too well, with some people calling it "ignorant" and "pathetic". Others noted the most obvious loophole that incidents of violence and misbehavior could surge, and many families would refrain from going to cinemas if alcohol was to be served. Another suggested that perhaps makers should consider raising the standard of their films so that people turn to theaters.
First bring down pop corn prices ticket prices. The rest can be discussed later
— Mister B360 (@aadiparashakth1) May 15, 2020
For the unversed, Ashwin has written and directed movies such as coming-of-age Telugu drama Yevade Subramanyam (2015) and bilingual movie Mahanati (2018). He is now set to work on an untitled movie with Prabhas.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that theater owners are facing a tough phase as their business continues to remain halted due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. Exhibitors fear that they might lose business to streaming platforms. In fact, many major films such as Gulabo Sitabo and Shakuntala Devi have already been given a digital release, which has upset theater owners.
