In the past two months, many films were delayed due to elections, creating a bottleneck that exhibitors now see as a fresh, promising season for the industry. This year has seen fluctuating attendance, with few blockbuster weekends due to limited releases. During the election period, with fewer new releases, many cinemas reduced their daily screenings and even temporarily closed some screens.

Promising Film Release Calendar from Mid-June to Mid-August

Exhibitors report that various factors have contributed to poor box office performance over the last two months, including the postponement of major releases like Kalki, which was originally scheduled for May. This delay was primarily due to the ongoing elections.

Ajay Bijli, Managing Director of PVR INOX Limited, mentioned, “Because of the elections, there weren’t many releases until the end of May; however, after May, there is a significant influx of films.” Devang Sampat, MD of Cinepolis India, added, “With the elections behind us, we’re thrilled about an impressive lineup of films that will undoubtedly captivate our audiences. Bollywood is gearing up with highly anticipated films like Chandu Champion and Kalki 2898 AD. From Hollywood, we have Bad Boys 4, and for animation enthusiasts, Inside Out 2 and Despicable Me 4, both highly awaited sequels.”

Amit Sharma, MD of Miraj Entertainment Limited, commented, “The film release calendar from mid-June to mid-August is incredibly promising, with a grand lineup. Audiences can look forward to three major pan-India films – Kalki, Indian 2, and Pushpa 2 – along with eagerly anticipated Bollywood releases and Hollywood’s major hits like Deadpool and Wolverine. This lineup promises to deliver a remarkable cinematic experience, generating excitement and entertainment nationwide.”

Discussing the upcoming films, he highlighted, “Kalki, releasing on June 27, is the biggest pan-India release of the last six months. Additionally, the period after June 14 is set to be vibrant with Bollywood and Hollywood releases. In July, we have Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, Akshay Kumar’s Sarfira, Vicky Kaushal’s Bad Newz, and Indian 2.”

Optimism for a Box-Office Revival

Industry experts note that April and May were sustained by summer festivals and re-release screenings rather than major new films. Raj Bansal, an exhibitor and veteran cinema business analyst, stated, “We were expecting some mainstream Hindi films to perform well during this period, as June, especially post-elections, is generally the best time for film releases. However, we haven’t had as many mega releases as needed to boost the box office.”

Girish Johar, a producer and cinema business analyst, added, “Summer months are always favorable for releases. With the elections over and no IPL, we are optimistic that box-office numbers will rebound.”