Maharashtra chief minsiter Uddhav Thackeray on 15th October held a virtual meeting with single-screen cinema and multiplex owners to discuss the reopening of cinemas in the state. The CM told the cinema owners that the cultural department was preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the reopening of cinemas at 50% capacity as announced by the Centre. Metro rail services and government and public libraries have now been permitted to reopen in the state. Thackeray said that since the entertainment industry was headquartered in Bombay and was a major contributor to the state’s economy, the government was keen to restart it. But he was particular that the SOPs should be in place as people would be seated in a closed air-conditioned space for two hours.
Thackeray said that since the entertainment industry was headquartered in Bombay and was a major contributor to the state’s economy, the government was keen to restart it.
Prakash Chaphalkar, secretary of the Multiplex Association of India, said, “Several states in India may have permitted cinema halls to function, but no big movies will release till cinema halls reopen in Bombay. They cannot risk losing revenue through piracy. Even after reopening theatres here, our losses will initially increase because we will incur full costs on electricity, salaries and overheads while operating at half capacity.”
“Several states in India may have permitted cinema halls to function, but no big movies will release till cinema halls reopen in Bombay.”
Cultural affairs minister Amit Deshmukh said that the government was aware that the oncoming festive season was an important one for the industry and the box-office.