Mumbai: Auditoriums, drama theatres and cultural programmes could resume in the state from November. At a meeting with Marathi theatre personalities on Friday, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray gave an in-principle approval for the establishments to open from November 5 at 50% capacity.

Detailed SOPs will be issued later, said cultural affairs minister Amit Deshmukh. He said it will not include movie theatres and multiplexes. Deshmukh also said since most of these theatres were shut they will need time to make them usable.

Senior theatre and film actress Rohini Hattangadi said, “I am in a dilemma as I am both happy and not so happy at the news. The reopening of theatres is a welcome announcement, but November 5 is two months away. What if we witness a third wave of Coronavirus in September-October, as health experts have predicted? If that happens, the move will be stalled, and all artists and crew will be disappointed.” Deshmukh said, “The approval will be based on the severity of the third wave.”