Akshay missing as multiplexes re-release JA, CHAK DE, METRO, RDB

Ok, so it is indeed turning out to be horrific times for multiplexes. While producers would still be releasing their films once the stand off is resolved, and at maximum would incur losses of a few lakhs through interest being paid on their finished products, they still have chances of recovering that money if these films turn out to be good successes. However, for multiplexes which thrive on their daily feed of audience, it has been pathetic times indeed with 3/4/5/6 films releasing every weekend and barely running for 3/4/5/6 shows.
With empty chairs staring multiplex owners and some auditoriums screening films for even a single person (I have been a witness to that for at least a couple of movies), multiplexes have been left with no choice but go back to the blockbusters from the past. At least some multiplexes up North have been forced to resort to this measure as movies like JODHAA AKBAR, CHAK DE INDIA, LIFE IN A METRO and RANG DE BASANTI are being readied for a re-release this Friday.

There are expectations of at least 10%-20% auditorium occupancy for such films, which sounds like a luxury at the moment considering majority of films released in the recent past have been registering less than 5% collections. Also, all these four aforementioned films have been money spinner in the past and have found loyal audiences for themselves over the years, both theatrically as well as on home video.

A point to be noted though is that a certain Akshay Kumar is missing in this elite list of movies being re-released. Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan as well as Shilpa Shetty and Co. are being entrusted to bring the audience back but it's surprising not to see an Akshay Kumar starrer being ignored. Though it would have been a good idea to return with a WELCOME or a SINGH IS KINNG, strangely that hasn't been the case.

One just hopes that it wasn't a well thought of decision and just a matter of releasing whatever best the multiplexes were having in hand at the time of picking and choosing a film.