A multiplex in Mumbai
THE TIMES OF INDIA (October 2, 2020)

Mumbai: Theatre owners met state cultural minister Amit Deshmukh on Thursday to lobby for reopening cinema halls soon in line with the Centre’s Unlock 5.0 plan to allow operations at 50% capacity by mid-October.

Deshmukh said he was positive about prospects for reopening theatres by adhering to safety protocols. The minister told the theatre owners he would take up the issue with chief minister Uddhav Thackeray during a cabinet meeting scheduled next week.

“If states like Gujarat, Bengal, Orissa, Punjab are ready to grant permissions, Maharashtra, which is the birthplace of movies, must take the lead,” said Nitin Datar, president of Cinema Owners & Exhibitors Association of India. The state is also among those with the largest number of theatres, which makes entertainment tax a big revenue-earner.

A standard operating procedure drafted by the Multiplex Association of India and submitted to the Centre last month has highlighted how cinemas could optimize show timings and regulate entry and exits to minimize crowding.

Proposals include staggered show slots so that not more than one screen starts a film at a time and only one has an interval at any point. A minimum gap of 15 minutes is also proposed between shows for cleaning and disinfecting while hand sanitizers are to be made available close to the entry of each theatre, apart from putting up small packs for sale.

Paper tickets may also be done away with and bookings restricted to digital platforms. Given risks associated with air conditioning, theatres say they will ensure fresh air intake in ventilation and continuously run exhausts in washrooms and common areas.

The delegation of multiplex and single screen owners and film studio owners met Deshmukh at Sahyadri, the government guest house. Issues related to licenses, power bills and property tax were discussed as the delegation pointed out that the Coronavirus lockdown had resulted in huge losses in the last six months. Deshmukh assured them that the state would try to resolve issues related to licenses and permits on priority.

“The minister has promised to look into our problems and discuss the matter with the CM. Although the government of Maharashtra has said theatres can reopen after October 31, he was keen to see that halls open sooner. We don’t want to miss out on October which is the best season for film releases and a delay will make it harder for cinemas to re-establish. The state has enough regional films to begin with and once it gets rolling, bigger producers will be willing to take a chance,” said Nitin Datar, president of Cinema Owners & Exhibitors Association of India.

The minister agreed that movies are normally slated for Dussehra, Diwali or a Christmas release as these occasions bring in crowds. "So I will discuss the issue with CM Thackeray, deputy CM Ajit Pawar and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat on how to reopen keeping safety as a priority," said the minister.
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Mixed feelings in trade, exhibition sector as Maharashtra government continues theatre shutdown till October 31
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; October 2, 2020)

The Uddhav Thackeray-led government announced that theatres in Maharashtra will continue to remain shut till October 31. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh believes it is a pragmatic decision. "The government has been supportive of the industry in the past, but it can't take a chance now as the number of cases is on the rise," says Adarsh. He hopes that cinemas across most states will be up and running before the festive season.

However, Manoj Desai, executive director of Bandra's G7 multiplex, does not share his optimism. Disappointed by the turn of events, he says, "Having suffered such huge losses for seven months, each day counts for us. Now, we have again lost 15 days of business. It remains to be seen if they will allow theatres to open in November."

The Multiplex Association of India urged state governments to reopen cinemas to help the exhibition sector recover from the financial impact of the pandemic.