Bhubaneswar, June 5: Lack of adequate number of theatres across the state has sent the film industry into a tizzy, as several producers would skip their releases during Raja, though maximum number of viewers would throng theatres during the festival.

The three-day festival, considered as the movie time for the Odia audience, would start from June 15 this year.

Two films - Basant Sahu's Pilata Bigidigala starring the hit couple Sabyasachi and Archita and Sushant Rout's Jouthi Tu Seithi Mu starring Odia actor Sritam Das and Bhojpuri glamour girl Anjana Singh - are ready for release, but they would hit the theatres after Raja. Another untitled film, directed by Susant Mani, will now be released during Ganesh Puja (September 17).

"If we come out with the film during Raja, we would be able to release it in only a few theatres as many of them are already booked for other films. A Raja release would restrict our audience reach. We, therefore, have shifted it after the festival in order to release the film at more theatres," said Sahu.

In the 1970s, around four films used to be produced a year. From 1990 to 1998, around 10 films used to be released a year. But since 2000, the number has increased to over 25 films a year.

Over the years, the number of films produced has increased, while the number of theatres has decreased considerably. Movie theatres that began mushrooming across the state in the late 1980s were hit hard by the 1999 super cyclone. Since 2010, there are only around 80 theatres functioning in the state, including six in Cuttack and seven in Bhubaneswar, in which Odia films are released on regular basis.

Filmmaker Mani said: "It is a good sign that the state is producing more number of films these days. But, the number of theatres is not enough to cater to the audience's needs. Most of the filmmakers target the festivals, such as Dussehra and Raja, to release their films when the maximum number of film lovers visits theatres. However, the fewer number of theatres has made it difficult for producers."

Film distributors are of the view that film producers cash in on the festive mood to release their films, and with Raja being one of the most prominent Odia festivals, the problem of theatres has become clearly visible.

"The problem has become evident since the past few years. With three to four films releasing during the same time, none of them will be able to gain profit properly," said film distributor Swagat Kar.

The lack of theatres is more visible in the rural areas where the craze for Odia film is dominant. Kar, who also runs the only ticket booking facility for singleplexes in the state, said it was the rural areas that were more Odia film crazy. "But, there are fewer theatres in the small towns where watching Odia films is a must during this festive time," he said.

Veteran filmmaker Gadadhar Putty echoed the same and said there should be more theatres in the rural areas. "Most of the revenue is generated from the rural audience. But, they suffer due to the less number of theatres," he said.

He further said: "Most of the singleplex in the state do not have modern facilities such as big screens and many lack basic amenities such as good seating arrangements and audio system. Therefore, apart from coming up with more theatres, the existing ones also need renovation."

The Odisha Film Development Corporation is planning to set up small theatres in the rural blocks in the state. "The process to open theatres in 314 blocks has already begun. A large chunk of Odia film viewers reside in the remote areas, so we want to ensure that they get to see all the latest releases. We will publish notifications inviting partnerships with us to facilitate the establishment of the theatres," said corporation chairman Munna Khan.