Following government guidelines, multiplex cinemas across the country have been required to close shows after 7:00 pm to conserve energy as per the latest austerity measures, leading to significant losses in viewership.
However, evening screenings are still being held at single-screen cinemas.
Awlad Hossain, President of the Bangladesh Film Exhibitors Association, confirmed the situation and noted that filmmakers and producers have requested the government to allow multiplexes to continue their evening shows.
No directive has been issued to restrict single-screen cinemas, many of which still end shows around 8:30 pm under previous regulations. A ticket seller at Star Cineplex reported that 15 to 20 viewers leave each evening without watching a film due to the early closures.
Lion Cinemas founder Mirza Abdul Khalek added that roughly four shows are cancelled daily, resulting in 300 to 400 fewer viewers, hitting Eid releases particularly hard.
Of the five films released for Eid, only ‘Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka’ and ‘Rakkhosh’ are currently screening on single screens. While attendance is lower, audiences are able to enjoy evening shows.
The situation is similar at the Experimental Theatre of the Shilpakala Academy, where screenings are proceeding at a slower pace.
