The dire state of Ctg cinemas
Once upon a time, Chattogram's cinema halls used to buzz with audience. The Eids were the most festive seasons for film lovers across all classes of the port city, which had as many as 35 cinemas that used to release Bangla films regularly.
However, the industry is on the verge of collapse due to audience crisis and the recent popularity of OTT platforms.
"Once, we would be left exhausted due to huge pressure of audience in the cinema halls. People used to go crazy for one ticket. It's all history now," said Abul Hossain, owner of Cinema Palace and Sugandha.
Only two cinema halls -- "Cinema Palace" in KC Dey Road area and "Sugandha" in Kazir Dewri area are now running in the port city despite a limited audience.
The owners and staff said the poor quality of films, lack of good actors, and OTT and satellite TV channels have destroyed the sector. The hit has been harder during the pandemic.
Popular "Almas" and "Dinar" cinema halls started their journey in 1965. They were shut down in December 2020. Both the halls operated under Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust. Purabi cinema hall was also shut down due to audience crisis.
Around 33 cinema halls were shut down and turned into high-rise buildings or markets, said cinema hall owners.
Shopping complex Mahal Market was built on Khurshid Mahal hall in Laldighi area, while Asian SR hotel replaced Uzala cinema hall on station road. Agrabad's Banani Cinema Hall has turned into Banani Complex, while New Market's Jalsa has turned into "Jalsa Market".
"Piracy of Bangla films started the audience crisis in the hall. Later TV channels added more woes showing the films on the TV set. In the age of OTT platforms, audience have little incentive to leave their rooms and come to the halls," said Abul Hossain, also president of Chattogram Film Display Association.
"Now we have running three shows each in two halls per day. We are currently running 'Poran' for the audience but the response is not good. We have increased our facilities to attract more audience," he added.
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