The Corona pandemic is leaving the world in a deep crisis. Every industry is impacted- most importantly manufacturing, auto, retail, travel & tourism, real estate & more. The layoffs, salary cuts, and an increase in work hours are almost everywhere. The film industry is no exception to it. With no film shootings and new movie releases, the daily workers are heavily impacted and it is not quite possible to estimate the overall loss at this point in time. However, trade analysts are estimating a loss of Rs 400 Cr for Tollywood.

Since the film industry runs on a rotational model, some hundreds of crores must have been blocked due to this stalemate situation. Daily wage workers who are dependent on the functioning of cinema halls and shootings are in a troubled phase and they are not earning any wages for this period.

Some 10-15 movies which are ready for theatrical release are halted. Also, many projects which are in the shooting stage have been put on hold. Producers, Distributors, and other stakeholders are worried about growing debts and interest.

Four Telugu films were ready for release before the lockdown: V, Uppena, Aranya & Nishabdham. With the further delay in release, it is now mounting pressure on these producers. An OTT release seems to be an appropriate path, but it may not bring in big returns as expected.

Theater rents, electricity bills, salaries to workers have become an additional burden to cinema hall owners, without any revenue. Even if the lockdown restrictions are lifted after 17 May, the shootings and cinema halls is unlikely to resume immediately. So, it remains to be seen how Tollywood is going to handle this big loss.