The government of West Bengal has made it compulsory for all cinemas — single-screen as well as multiplexes — in the state to mandatorily allot 365 prime time shows to Bengali films in a year, with at least one show per day. In the case of multiplexes, this rule will apply to each screen. Prime time shows have been defined as shows held between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.
A notification to the above effect was issued today (13th August) by the governor in exercise of the power conferred by section 5(3) of the West Bengal Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1954 and in order to encourage the Bengali film industry. Necessary amendment to the West Bengal Cinemas (Regulation of Public Exhibitions) Rules, 1956 will be made in due course.
This order supersedes the previous notification dated 14th September, 2018.