Public Talk: 'Nag! Your Idea Is Very Bad'

Considered as one of the brightest minds of the Telugu film industry, director Nag Ashwin thinks differently.

As the world is reeling with the coronavirus pandemic, he has been thinking ways to bring back audiences to the theaters whenever they resume screenings. He wondered if wine or beer is served in theaters would footfalls increase? 

“Once in a talk with Suresh Babu garu and Rana, it came up what if theaters get license to serve beer/breezer/wine, like in other countries….could it increase footfalls...could it save the theater business (which does need saving)...what do you think? Good idea, bad idea?,” he posted on Twitter.

He also asked his followers to respond if they would come back to the theaters when they are opened or would they wait and watch. Many have responded negatively to the idea of serving alcohol in the theaters. 

He thoughtfully posted again, “So true...it will keep the family audience away...can be an option at few multiplexes maybe, but not a solution...what do u think theaters need to do to get ppl back? to increase audience...will you come back as soon as theaters open or wait & watch for a few weeks before going?”

Reacting to this a social media post goes like this- "This shows how this guy Nag Ashwin understands the audience. When the statutory warnings run in every theatre stating "Smoking and Drinking is injurious to health", this guy thinks about serving it in theatres. What is that he is wishing? He wants the audience watch the statutory warning having a sip of liquor. Disgusting!! I lost respect on him. He made Mahanati in which the lead actress dies of liquor. But still he is endorsing liquor publicly with his tweet."

A netizen on facebook wrote, "When the CM of AP is working towards total eradication of liquor for his state, this director is thinking about license to sell alcohol in movie theatres. These film guys seems to have turned desperate now. They may stoop down to anything". 

Another comment says- "Suresh Babu is running theatres. It is becoming a pain for him to burn his pockets as per the lease agreements in this two month lockdown time. He seems to have become desperate now. He must be thinking to make some quick money. In the process he must have asked Nag Ashwin to tweet about serving liquor in theatres to get a feeler. Now Nag Ashwin is facing all the criticism. Suresh Babu must have withdrawn the idea with all the flak the idea received so far. This is what I feel". 

"Whatever it is, India can never be equalled to US in many matters. Public consumption of liquor is one thing. Keeping that aside, they are selling popcorn for Rs 200 and soft drink from Rs 150. How much they wish to charge for liquor if they get the license? Rs 500/- a beer? What they think and what they make us think is totally frustrating", an FB post reads. 

The bottom line is, the topic has disturbed many people and the clean image of Nag Ashwin earned for all these years has got maligned. 

Moreover, the majority crimes happen in India is because of liquor. It shouldnt be forgotten that liquor played the worst role in the rapes of Nirbhaya and Disha. Majority of Indian crowds dont keep their sensitivity and sensibility when they consume liquor.

So, the idea to bring it inside the movie theatres is very bad.