After writing to the landlords and malls, asking to waive off rents citing the impact of COVID-19 on business, Multiplex Association Of India (MIA) has now written to the Minister Of Commerce, requesting for relief in forms of relaxations and grants, so that they can stay afloat.
SpotboyE.com has learnt that MIA and the Ministry had a video conference call to discuss the matter, where the association was told that the matter will be looked into but not on immediate basis, as they have a lot to tackle before coming to the entertainment industry.
"The minsters said during the video conference call that first priority is people's life and economy. Cinema forms a very small part of the economy. They have bigger challenges. MIA has been promised that Government will consider their request but they will have to wait and watch and be patient. The association was told during the discussion, "Your demands are not exorbitant and something can be done about it,"" a source informed us.
In their letter to the Minister of Commerce, the MIA has stated, "Sir, besides human health, the advent of COVID-19 has dealt a massive blow on the state of Indian economy. Multiple sectors of the Indian economy have run into an extremely adverse and hostile situation, and the Cinema Exhibition Sector is no exception. The situation is unprecedented and unparalleled by all means and is beyond the ambit of any business continuity measures. The developments due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the previous 6 to 8 weeks have made us run into possible bankruptcies. With this letter, we wish to bring to your kind notice, the acute challenges we are facing in these extremely adverse times."
Although the lockdown may end eventually and things may start opening up in phases, but the multiplexes have a bigger challenge to deal with. "Issue is not of multiplexes opening, problem is that it won't have a product for display. Multiplexes were the first to close and will be the last to open. Big producers will not release their films so early, as they will also consider global scenario, as overseas market is huge for Indian film industry. So, when it won't have big and substantial films, why will theaters open and bear more loses?," added the source.
Well, as we mentioned earlier, Govt has said that it will look into the matter but exhibitors will have to be patient as of course, amidst 100 other important things, entertainment industry will be last on the list.
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