All single-screen cinemas and multiplexes in Telangana reopened yesterday (July 18). They have been allowed to function at full capacity. The decision was taken on 17th July after members of the Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) met cinematography minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav. As there are no new releases currently, most cinemas are likely to reopen with new releases on July 23.
The TFCC members submitted a representation to the minister in which they made several demands in view of the financial losses faced by them due to the Covid-induced lockdown:
(i) that the Telangana government exempt them from paying property tax for the period of one-and-a-half years of the lockdown;
(ii) allow single-screen cinemas to collect parking fees and conduct more than four shows a day;
(iii) exempt them from paying state GST and reduce the charges levied on the permissions given for film shooting.
They also urged the government to release GOs for their previous demands, to which the state government had agreed. Yadav assured the TFCC members that he would bring all their demands to the notice of the Chief Minister.
Cinemas in Andhra Pradesh have been granted permission to reopen but at 50% capacity.
The Karnataka government today (19th July) allowed cinemas in the state to restart operations. Like in A.P., cinemas in Karnataka will also have to remain content with functioning at half capacity for the time being.