First Day No Show<br/>

A devoted band of movie lovers catch the first show every Friday. 'It can't be,' exclaimed some of them in shocked voices, when we told them about next week's drought. Others say life will find a way

'So irritating'
Sapna Nair (25), medical health professional
I like to watch movies and that's why I prefer the first day, first shows. I recently watched Fast & Furious. It's so irritating that no films will be screened. I will miss out on so many good ones.

'DVD sales will increase'
Darius Mistry (23), copywriter
If it's something that I really want to watch, I catch the first day first show. Recently I saw Watchmen and Valkyrie. No movie releases for a month is going to affect things. DVD sales will slightly increase, a comfortable amount of people will download and some could be really bad quality camera downloads recorded in the theater from when the movie was playing. It's a bad, money-grabbing situation. I do go to multiplexes more often than single screens because they show the movies I want to watch. This is going to affect me because I need movies; it's a daily routine to watch them.

'Put on the home theatre'
Janki Ashok Gurbaxani (60), former HOD, KC College
I love watching movies and can even watch a really bad one in a multiplex. I enjoy the digital sound, the samosas, the corn and to me, it's about the experience. I'd travel from Colaba to Andheri to check out a new multiplex. I watch movies that are given even one-star ratings and if I cry even one tear, I've enjoyed the film. But if there's a strike, there's no way I'll go to a single screen theatre. The seats are so uncomfortable. I'd rather call my friends, make snacks and put on the home theatre. Have a multiplex at home!

'I can't think of no movies'
Riddhi Garodia (21), PR professional
I can't even think of there being no movies. I love watching movies and make sure I watch two movies a week. With my hectic weekday schedule, I normally wait for the weekends, especially for Friday night. I normally watch one movie with my friends and one with my family. It will be sad if the common man is deprived of basic entertainment.

'I hope we have options next week'
Bhakti Badiyani (24), Mulund resident
I love watching movies on the first day of the release. Yesterday, I was at a multiplex in Mulund, but was completely shattered when I saw that they were running movies we had already watched. Left with no choice, we went for 8X10 Tasveer that released on Friday. At least, we had one new movie. I hope we have more options next week or we may have to look in for some new entertainment. Multiplexes are good as we can shop, eat and spend three hours in a theatre. Hope the battle gets over soon.

'I sometimes watch paid previews'
Punit Pathak (22), choreographer
I sometimes watch the first shows or even paid previews. These would be for films that I'm looking forward to. The fact that no movies will be screened actually works for me because it's an expensive deal and I'd much rather take a girl out for dinner.

'I'll watch IPL'
Megha Chalam (22), MBA student
I watch movies on the first day because I don't want reviews or my friends' opinions to cloud my judgment. I saw He's Just Not That Into You on the first day. Since no movies will be screened, I'll watch television and the IPL.

'I'll watch football league matches'
Hersh Lilarumani (23), student
If I don't watch the first day, first show, then my friends tell me the story. I have to catch the first show otherwise I don't watch the film at all. I recently saw Dev D and Luck By Chance. Being a film buff, I don't watch pirated films and now for entertainment, I will watch various football league matches and of course, the IPL.u00a0u00a0u00a0

'I don't know what I'll do'
Salina Dalal (20), student
I usually watch movies first day first show, but even if I don't, I make it a point to go watch them on Sunday. I mainly watch Bollywood films. I don't know what I'll do if there's a strike because I'm so used to going for a movie on the weekend.

'It works out cheap'
Poorva Tamhane (19), student
I watch first day first shows, now and then. I watched the first show of Firaaq. It also works out cheap because these are early shows. The strike won't make a difference because I will be watching the IPL.

'I'll watch cable movies'
Prashant Poddar (21), student
I catch the first show depending on the reviews the film gets. Yes, I do know about the tiff between the producers and multiplexes, but that won't affect my viewing films. I like to download my films or watch cable movies.

'I will wait for multiplexes'
Etienne Marques, managing director, Marque and Lowden
Many like me, who are used to the multiplex culture even though it is expensive, wouldn't be comfortable going to a single screen. It is the ambience, crowd, seats, food and all these amenities that make me prefer multiplexes. I will wait for negotiations to take place and multiplexes to come back on track. I don't mind spending a little extra for my comfort.

'Producers' demands are not reasonable'
Neha Khilnani, student, TYBMM, National College
I don't think producers' 50 per cent demand is reasonable during recession. I think they should compromise and keep the public in mind while deciding a hike. Everyone is going through losses and recession is hitting everyone.

'I will have to find an alternative'
Falguni Sanghavi, housewife, Andheri Lokhandwala
I am a movie buff and see to it that I watch new movies at Fame Adlabs or Cinemax releasing on a Friday. Now I will have to find alternate sources like a single screen
theatre to watch movies.

'I will have to travel to Juhu'
Rohan Sanghavi, student, Andheri Lokhandwala
Now that multiplexes have threatened to stop screening new releases, I will have to
travel all the way to Juhu. I will have to ensure that I leave much earlier from my house if I want to watch a movie.

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