MAI delegation meets Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, seeking reopening of cinema halls in Delhi
By Rajesh Ahuja
A delegation comprising owners of prominent cinema halls in Delhi and members of the MAI have met Deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia and urged him to intervene for the reopening of theatres in Delhi.
Highlighting the adverse economic situation faced by the cinema industry due to the Covid induced multiple shutdowns since March last year, the delegation, which met Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia yesterday, said that the decision of the Delhi government to shutdown Cinemas has caused massive uncertainty, leading to makers of big budget films like Jersey postponing their releases.
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Delegation of Multiplex Association of India meets Manish Sisodia, urge reopening of theatres in Delhi |
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced fresh guidelines to contain the spread of Covid in the state. These include shutdown of theatres and gyms and allowing opening of restaurants and the Delhi Metro to just 50 per cent capacity.
The delegation urged the Deputy Chief minister to grant an equal treatment to the exhibition sector with comparable industries and institutions as cinemas have already demonstrated an ability to operate safely for the public and employees via the usage of enhanced ventilation systems, enhanced hygiene and other safety protocols.
'Not a single outbreak of Covid-19 anywhere in the world has been traced to a cinema hall,'the members of the delegation said.
The delegation also presented a report on low-rise of Covid transmission risk in cinemas. The research captures findings at various cinemas across the globe.
The delegation also highlighted the unique social, cultural and economic value of the Indian film industry and requested the Deputy Chief minister to provide the support it so desperately needs to survive this unprecedented period.
Chairman of the PVR Limited Ajay Bijli, who led the delegation, said, 'We fully appreciate the various challenges at the government end in these tough times. However, instead of closing cinemas, we urge the Delhi Government to introduce the double vaccination requirement to enter cinemas, as is the case in some other states. Alternatively, the seating capacity restriction of 50 per cent can be reintroduced at cinemas'
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia assured the delegation that the matter would be taken up with the Delhi Disaster Management Authority and other government officials.
Earlier, the MAI had written a letter to chief minister Arvind kejriwal, urging him to reconsider the decision to shut down cinema halls.
Noting that the exhibition sector in the country is facing adverse economic situation due to the decision of the Delhi government to shutdown Cinemas following a spurt in Covid-19 cases , the Multiplex Association of India urged chief minister Arvind kejriwal to reconsider its decision.
In a letter to the Delhi chief minister, the MAI said that 'Cinemas are the safest entertainment option as compared to other out-of-home settings. We urge the Delhi Government to allow cinemas to operate. '
The letter said that the cinema industry is currently at the brink of bankruptcies due to the shutdown.
The MAI said that the shutdown of cinemas has resulted in many filmmakers postponing release of their films at cinemas. They said that instead of waiting for cinemas to reopen, increasing number of filmmakers are finding it more lucrative to release the film's directly on OTT, thus leaving cinema halls with no new films to show to movie-goers.
This, they said, had brought the exhibition sector on the verge of bankruptcy.
The recent days have also witnessed a spurt in Covid-19 cases in many areas of the country, leading to several state governments imposing fresh restrictions, including imposition of night curfews. These include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana .
With Maharashtra also recording over 3000 cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, the state government could in the coming days impose more restrictions in the state.
The fresh restrictions imposed in several states is sure to impact theatrical collections in these areas, forcing the makers of upcoming films to mull a postponement of the film's or deciding to release the film directly on OTT.
Several big budget films are scheduled for release in the coming weeks like RRR , Radhe Shyam, Prithviraj ,Attack , Badhai Do , Gangubhai Kathiawadi ,Jayeshbhai Jordaar ,Bachchan Pandey , Shamshera and Bhool Bhulaiya 2 .
While RRR is scheduled to release in cinemas on January 7, Radhe Shyam is scheduled for release on January 14, Prithviraj on January 21 and Attack on January 27.
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