Media's window problem

Every year, there are a few months when the death knell of the film business is sounded.

- VANITA KOHLI-KHANDEKAR

The first six months of this year have been such a period. But just as media reports were talking of the industry's trauma, along came Aditya Sarpotdar's Munjya and Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD. They have broken the dry spell with good box-office performance. Movies are back in business.

Of the several reasons for the somewhat dull first half, the most important is windows. India, the world's largest filmmaking country, released close to 1,800 films in 2023. The number ranges from 1,700 to 1,900 in most years, with the exception of the pandemic years. There are, however, only 52 weekends in a year. How many of these 1,800 films can get a good weekend to release, find their audience, and make money?

Of the 52 weekends, take a few out for big events such as cricket matches, elections, exams or vacations. That leaves 40 weekends. Divide the 1,800 films released in 2023 by the estimated 40 weeks available - that is 45 films a week being released. Note that this is across languages. That means some of these films may be just for the Tamil Nadu or Maharashtra or Punjab markets. That is still a lot of films fighting for a single, decent window to release in. Incidentally, Hollywood, the most developed market, averages fewer films at 500-600 a year, but faces the same issues.