Delhi's Cinema Scene Shrinks Dramatically as Audience Numbers Drop Sharply
New Delhi's movie theaters have witnessed a steep decline in daily visitors over the past eight years. The average number of cinemagoers per day has fallen by nearly 83 percent. This drop brings the figure down from a high of almost 1.25 lakh people to just 21,541 in 2024.
Early Signs of Decline and Pandemic Acceleration
Government data from Delhi reveals that the downward trend started as early as 2017. Footfall numbers fell sharply to around 49,000 daily visitors that year. This happened even though the average daily movie shows only decreased slightly to 653 from 675 in 2016.
The COVID-19 pandemic then accelerated an already declining pattern. Changing viewing habits played a major role in this shift. The widespread availability of OTT streaming services encouraged many people to watch content at home instead of visiting theaters.
Shows Decline Less Than Audience Numbers
In 2024, average daily screenings dropped to 506. This represents a reduction of about 25 percent over the past eight years. However, the collapse in footfall was far more severe than this modest decrease in shows.
The growing gap between available screenings and audience turnout has created challenges for theaters. Many establishments struggle to regain patrons even years after pandemic disruptions ended in the city.
Multiplex Numbers Show Resilience
Multiplexes in Delhi appeared more resilient during this period. Their numbers increased from 21 in 2010 to 33 in 2019. After that, they remained nearly stable.
Daily shows recovered from a low of 394 in 2020. That year saw lockdowns, prolonged theater closures, and capacity restrictions in halls. These measures caused average daily cinemagoers to plummet to 16,180, the lowest figure in over a decade.
Despite this recovery in screening numbers, many audience members did not return to theaters. 2021 and 2022 brought a partial rebound with footfall climbing to 62,000 per day. But this recovery proved fragile.
By 2023, the total number of cinemagoers fell again to 23,672. The situation worsened in 2024 with numbers dipping further to 21,541. This happened even as daily shows increased to 506. Simply put, theaters kept running but seats remained empty.
Shift to NCR Cities Drains Delhi Theaters
Sanjay Mehta, a Delhi-based film distributor, explains one major reason for this trend. "The rapid expansion of multiplexes in NCR towns over the past decade led to a shift in footfall from Delhi to cities like Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad," he says.
Earlier, when the National Capital Region lacked quality multiplex infrastructure, cine lovers traveled to Delhi for better movie-going experiences. That trend has now reversed completely.
Many people living in Delhi near its borders now prefer multiplexes across NCR cities. These malls often offer a wider mix of quality dining and leisure options alongside cinema screens.
Cost Pressures Make Delhi Theaters Less Competitive
A Delhi-based multiplex owner highlights another significant factor. "Multiplexes in NCR cities operate with comparatively lower rentals than most in Delhi, especially in the south," he explains. "Staff salaries are also higher in the capital. These factors push up ticket prices in Delhi, making NCR multiplexes a more competitive option and drawing audiences away from city theaters."
Three Key Factors Behind Post-COVID Decline
Harsh Vardhan Bansal, vice-chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), owns several multiplexes in Delhi. He identifies three key factors that accelerated the post-COVID decline in attendance.
"Health-related apprehensions kept many people away from theaters," Bansal states. "This was followed by the rapid rise of OTT platforms, with a flood of web series and popular films encouraging audiences to opt for on-demand viewing in the comfort of their homes, often choosing small screens over the big ones."
"This period also coincided with the lack of strong content that typically pulls crowds to movie theaters," he adds.
Optimism for Future Recovery
Despite these challenges, Bansal expresses some optimism about the future. Footfall began improving from the end of 2025 with the release of films like 'Dhurandhar'. He believes attendance will rise further in 2026 and 2027 as several big-ticket films are slated for release.
The Delhi cinema landscape has transformed dramatically in less than a decade. While theaters continue operating, they face stiff competition from both streaming platforms and newer entertainment hubs in neighboring cities.
