There is a good chance that cinemas will be allowed to open next week (15th October) in nearly all the Hindi markets. Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat and Chandigarh have been given the green light. Major contributing areas in the South Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh also have the green light.

The wait is for Maharashtra and there is a chance that the green light will be given officially here also to open next week. If this happens it will mean around 90% of the Hindi market can open cinemas. This does not mean all cinemas in these states will open next week as being allowed and actually opening are two different things. 

The openings will depend on the content available and when it is available. Its futile to open every cinema in each state when there is not enough content. Hollywood was expected to be the main source of content but all the tentpole releases have been pushed to next year now so now there will be only TENET. The news from Hollywood is a killer as the Hindi content was going to be limited. The states where there is more regional content may be able to do better.