The Information and Broadcast Ministry has come up with a tentative date for the opening of cinemas. It has proposed the Home Ministry to allow the operation of cinema halls in August.
According to the buzz in the industry, the Information and Broadcast Ministry has reportedly suggested reopening of theatres across India by the first week of August or in the last week by 31st. There is also talk about September being looked, as well, in case of delay.
The I&B Ministry has also formulated guidelines to open the cinemas. According to them, the theatres are supposed to have alternate seating and even empty rows going up (on down). It means the halls will be operating at potentially twenty-five percent of capacity if the permissions are given.
The cinema halls in India have been shut since March third week when the first announcement of the lockdown was made. From then onwards, there have been multiple discussions about potential reopening, but so far it hasn’t materialized.
The theatre owners are feeling threatened with the growing number of films opting for OTT release. They want the cinemas to open, but are still unsure how the business would work with only a fourth of the capacity. It is a wait and watch scenario for the time being, for them.
