Film industry demands lifting 50% occupancy rule for cinemas too

They say regulation will deter producers from releasing new movies

The decision of theState Government on not allowing theatres, cinema and multiplexes to function with full capacity has not gone down well with the film industry stakeholders. They say continuing the 50% occupancy rule will deter the producers from releasing new films.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has decided to meet the Chief Minister and demand allowing 100% occupancy in cinemas too on the lines of what is now allowed for hotels, bars and restaurants.

K.V. Chandrashekar, president of Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Association, said, “After the outbreak of the pandemic, in the last two years, theatres were completely closed for 14 months due to lockdowns. In the rest of the period, barring for four to five months, theatres were allowed to run with 50% capacity. We have paid all the taxes since the outbreak of the pandemic. The State Government had assured that they would give rebate but local bodies like BBMP are not ready to consider that. Now, they are saying that 50% occupancy will be continued.”