With the release of the latest James Bond film, No Time to Die, today, the franchise is hoping to capitalise on the positive attitude in the Indian exhibition market following news that Maharashtra cinemas would reopen on October 22. Thanks to 3D versions in dubbed local languages like as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, the Daniel Craig picture, which will be released in over 1,000 theatres, is projected to travel to tier-two towns as well.
In addition, unlike many recent Hollywood films, No Time to Die will be released simultaneously worldwide and in India, making it an appealing offer for young audiences. With a flurry of blockbuster projects slated till December, the James Bond series will also set the stage for Hollywood’s rebirth.
The most recent James Bond film, Spectre, was released in 2015 and grossed Rs36.88 crore at the box office, with an opening day gross of Rs8.4 crore, the franchise’s biggest to date. In India, the film was released later than in many other countries, owing to controversy over some of the kissing sequences, which were judged too lengthy by then-censor board chairman Pahlaj Nihalani.
“The film’s release at this time could boost consumer and exhibitor confidence, which has been high since the announcement of Maharashtra reopening cinemas, even if it’s still over a month away,” said Girish Johar, a film producer, trade and exhibition specialist.
The 3D version, which was unveiled only days before the film’s theatrical release, is the first for a James Bond picture and is clearly designed to entice people to the theatres in these unusual times, according to industry experts. The reopening of cinemas in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka has already benefited Hollywood in recent weeks, with Marvel’s Chinese origin superhero film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which earned Rs23.58 crore at the time of writing, seeing the most gains from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Mysuru.
