News Analysis India

Tag: Cinema halls

  • Covid unlock: Uttar Pradesh govt allows opening of gyms, cinema halls with 50 per cent capacity from July 5

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: Further easing the coronavirus curbs, the Uttar Pradesh government has allowed the opening of gymnasiums, cinema halls, multiplexes and sports stadiums at 50 per cent of their capacity from Monday.

    A government spokesperson said on Friday that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the relaxations in view of improving Covid situation in the state.

    Under the new guidelines, which will come into effect from 7 am on July 5, all gymnasiums, cinema halls, multiplexes and sports stadiums will be allowed to open between 7 am and 9 pm five days a week with strict compliance of Covid-19-appropriate behaviour, the spokesman said.

    However, these will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent of their capacity, the CM said at a Covid review meeting, according to the spokesperson.

    The gyms in containment zones will remain closed.

    The CM directed the installation of posters or banners telling about preventive measures at all public places, the spokesman said.

    The chief minister said the government’s focus is on restoring normalcy in the state with an aim to save both lives and livelihood while staying they are ready the possible third wave of the pandemic.

    The CM also instructed to set up helpdesks close to public places to ensure the compliance of the coronavirus protocol, the spokesman added.

    Till Thursday, the state has reported 22,601 infection deaths and 17,06,252 cases.

  • EIMPA urges West Bengal CM for a relief package for cinema halls

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: With single screens and local multiplex chains reeling under the blow of COVID-19 for past one year, the Eastern India Motion Picture Association on Saturday urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to come out with a relief package for the “gasping” cinema halls.

    EIMPA while sending a letter to the CM also sought an audience with her to apprise of the situation faced by the exhibitors while pledging its support to the fight against the pandemic by the state government.

    It is becoming increasingly difficult for cinema hall owners to pay salary to its employees with the suspension of shows for several months since March 17 in 2020 and again since May 1 in 2021, EIMPA office-bearer Ratan Saha said, adding that “we have urged the government three year soft loan for working capital.”

    In the letter the EIMPA sought three year “soft loans amounting from Rs 2 lakh to 5 lakh per cinema per screen multiplied by the number of months of inactivity.”

    “Yearly operation cost per screen being Rs 15 lakh with one year moratorium for the same,” the letter claimed.

    The monetary compensation was required for electricity charges, rent, dues accrued during period of closure and repair and maintenance to get cinemas back in running condition after shutdown, the apex body of distributors said.

    “We also urge exemption of tax and duties for the theatres and providing financial help to the employees of the closed single screens as the owners are hard pressed in the present situation,” one of the owners of a cinema hall in Behala and head of a film distribution company Satadeep Saha said.

    “Last year it was really bad as after seven months we could open the halls in Durga puja-Diwali period. However the old scenes never came back as audience turnout was very poor and there were no big banner releases. Finally it is back to square one as we closed shop from May 1 again. We are only staying afloat hoping for better days,” Saha said.

    EIMPA sources said around 120 of the 250 single screen theatres were operational before May 1 restrictions were imposed.

    The rest have closed shop, and some permanently.

  • Mamata govt allows 100% occupancy in cinema halls in West Bengal

    By ANI
    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has allowed 100 per cent occupancy in cinema halls in the state but asserted following precautionary measures in the view of Covid-19.

    She was speaking at the inauguration of the 26th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival 2021 via video conference on Friday.

    “Due to the pandemic, only 50 per cent occupancy in cinema halls is allowed. Now I am allowing 100 per cent occupancy but proper care needs to be taken,” she said.

    Actor Shahrukh Khan also participated in the event virtually. The Kolkata Film Festival, which was started in the year 1995, is being organised virtually in the view of Covid-19 pandemic.

    Recently a similar notification was issued by the Tamil Nadu government to increase the occupancy in cinemas, theatres, and multiplexes to 100 per cent capacity.

    However, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary stating that the state government’s move is the dilution of the Ministry of Home Affair’s order.

    Bhalla asked the chief secretary to immediately issue the necessary order to bring their guidelines in line with the MHA guidelines dated December 28, 2020, and inform compliance to this Ministry.