Exclusive: Post fresh guidelines, will cinemas continue to operate beyond 9 pm in Maharashtra? – Times of India


On December 24, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray shared new guidelines for Maharashtra given the rising cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus in the state and across the country. A nine-hour night restriction (9 pm to 6 am) has been imposed in the state to ensure no crowding in public places. Gathering of more than five people in public places during the restricted time between 9 pm to 6 am will not be allowed, while essential services will be exempted from this clampdown. As per the guidelines, hotels, spas and theatres can operate at 50% capacity. Cinema halls were allowed to reopen in mid-October in Maharashtra this year at 50% capacity post the second lockdown.

The film industry had incurred heavy losses due to the pandemic, and the success of a tent-pole film like Sooryavanshi brought back a ray of hope for filmmakers and theatres owners. More hopes were pinned on big-ticket releases like Spider-Man: No Way Home, 83, Telugu film Pushpa and the upcoming films Jersey and RRR. Now, with new restrictions imposed in the state, will theatres be able to screen films beyond 9 pm, is one question on everyone’s mind. While a lot of rumours and speculations are doing the rounds on social media, here’s some official clarity.

BMC Additional Commissioner Suresh Kakani says, “All activities will go on as earlier. The restriction of less than five people in a group are for public places, like Marine Drive. Cinemas and restaurants have restricted entry. These entries can be monitored, so they can operate as usual, even after 9 pm, but at 50% capacity. These are not considered public places, but that does not mean they are exempted from rules. If COVID cases in the state go higher, we may think of implementing stringent rules on these sectors as well.”

Kamal Gianchandani, President, Multiplex Association of India (MAI), says, “At this point, cinemas are operational as usual at 50% capacity. They will continue to operate as per the usual working hours. We are in touch with the authorities. We will strictly abide by the rules set by the government, not only on paper, but also in spirit.”

He adds, “Cinemas across the country have made huge investments in sprucing up preventive measures and safety norms. Sooryavanshi, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Pushpa, 83 are doing good business. People are returning to cinemas. Everyone wondered if the pandemic phase would alter the movie-going culture, but look at the response we got! We had 4 am and 6 am shows for Spiderman in the opening week to meet the massive audience demand. This week onwards, the shows will start at 7.30 am. Now, there is 83. Filmmakers are holding their films for theatrical releases.”

Film exhibitor and distributor Akshaye Rathi, who owns a chain of single-screen theatres in Maharashtra and other states, says, “While the state govt has released fresh guidelines on December 24, a lot depends on what the local bodies, municipal corporations of every city and town rollout for cinemas with regards to functioning at 50% capacity or beyond 9 pm. In the coming weeks, if shows aren’t permitted beyond 9 pm, it will obviously hamper the business, especially at a time like this when there are big-ticket releases lined up, including Jersey, RRR, Radhe Shyam, Valimai and Prithviraj.”

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