Theatres and multiplexes in the city opened on Monday after remaining closed for three days, much to the disappointment of schoolchildren.
The state government had ordered the shut down to contain the spread of swine flu.
However, there was nothing much on offer for the students, whose schools have been shut down, as all the big releases happened to be adult-rated (A).
But there was no dearth of audience at the theatres.
Vishal Bhardwaj’s film Kaminey opened to over 75 per cent occupancy in leading multiplex chains like Fun Republic, PVR, INOX and Gaiety-Galaxy.
Single screens sold out their tickets hours after they opened, and tickets were being auctioned at thrice the price in black.
The other films, Before the Rains starring Rahul Bose and Nandita Das and Ram Gopal Varma’s Agyaat were also 'A' rated. Teree Sang, Love Aaj Kal and Life Partner were U/A rated. Fly Me to the Moon
was the only movie with a universal tag.
“We thought we’d see Kaminey as my daughter is a big fan of Shahid Kapoor. She had been sitting idle at home since her school closed down last week. However, as the movie is A-rated, she could not watch the film,” said P. Chawla, who was sitting outside Infinity Mall with her disappointed 11-year-old daughter.
{{/usCountry}}“We thought we’d see Kaminey as my daughter is a big fan of Shahid Kapoor. She had been sitting idle at home since her school closed down last week. However, as the movie is A-rated, she could not watch the film,” said P. Chawla, who was sitting outside Infinity Mall with her disappointed 11-year-old daughter.
{{/usCountry}}Vishal Kapoor, chief operating officer, Fun Cinemas, said they had to turn away many 15-year-olds who had lined up for tickets.
“Compared to a regular Monday, the occupancy has been great. Most people who have the first-day first-show craze, came together today. Morning shows saw 40 per cent occupancy,” said Kapoor. “It is expected to go higher.”