The Tamil Nadu government today (January 4) allowed cinemas in the state to operate at cent per cent capacity. Cinemas in Tamil nadu had been granted permission to reopen from November 10, 2020 but at 50% capacity. Theatre associations of the Tamil Nadu film industry had represented before the government for permitting cinemas to function at full capacity in view of the declining number of COVID cases.
Actors Vijay had last week met TN chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami personally to request him for permission to cinemas to henceforth operate at 100 per cent capacity. His Master is slated for release on Pongal. Likewise, Silambarasan, whose Eeswaran is also scheduled to hit the screens on January 14, met the chief minister for the same relaxation. The government has made it clear that while functioning at full capacity, cinemas will strictly follow the COVID SOPs and publicise them in all the shows.
Incidentally, Tamil Nadu becomes the first state to allow cinemas to operate at full capacity as all other states are still continuing with the 50% rule.