Since March 2020, cinemas across India applied breaks to screenings with the spread of the Novel Coronavirus, and continue to remain shut even in July 2020. Now there are reports which speak about the likelihood of cinemas re-opening in August 2020 and get back to entertaining people after a long gap of 4 months due to the lockdown, imposed to follow social distancing in order to avoid further spread of COVID-19. Trade analyst Komal Nahta in his latest Tweet mentioned the cinemas are likely to get functional from August 1.
His Tweet read, “Great news. Cinemas to get permission to reopen from 1st August, says a reliable source.” As per reports in Times of India, Amit Khare, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) secretary, has pushed the envelope to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to re-open cinemas across India either from August 1 or by the end of the month, is, August 31. Many Cinemas owners or decision makers of various cinemas are waiting for the final call of the government, post which they shall be preparing their property to welcome the audience.
Rajeev Patni, COO of INOX Leisure Ltd was quoted saying by publication, “We would love to have all our multiplexes and screens operational at the earliest, but we will have to wait for the final operational guidelines which will be provided by the government authorities.”
Great news. Cinemas to get permission to reopen from 1st August, says a reliable source.
— Komal Nahta (@KomalNahta) July 26, 2020
While many are skeptical about re-opening the cinemas with just 25% occupancy, keeping in mind their income generation, few are anxious about which new films will release as producers are worried about whether audience will buy tickets and step into the theatres to watch the movie, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. ALSO READ: Multiplex Association Of India Requests Government To Reopen Cinemas In Unlock Phase 2; States That It Employs 2 Lakh People
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