Guwahati: Since the COVID pandemic hit the state and
lockdown was imposed, the film industry has been adversely affected. Cinema
halls have shut down, one after another, across the Assam.
According to reports,
four cinema halls of Guwahati- Apsara, Urvashi, Meghdoot, and Vandana cinema
halls are on the verge of shutting down while the cinema hall in Vijaynagar has
been closed down.
Cinema halls have been
shut since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In October the
Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines to reopen theatres with 50%
audience. But members of the Guwahati Hall Association decided to keep the
halls closed till mid-November. If they will reopen the theatre's 50 %
audience, they will have to undergo loss, stated the hall owners.
According to a media
report Chinmoy Sarma, president of All Assam Cinema Hall Owners Association
informed that the shutting down of the cinema halls is not confirmed yet.
However, four to five cinema halls in the city are not interested in resuming
even after the lockdown.
He further informed
that the cinema halls have been issued heavy electricity bills which resulted
in heavy loss in the business. Their electricity connections have also been
disconnected by the electricity board and due to this, the hall owners have
decided to keep the halls closed. The Cinema Halls Association has not received
any official statement from these four cinema halls yet, he added.
According to a report,
India has lost over 20 to 30 percent of its cinema screens during the lockdown.
Some cinema halls have resumed functioning in many parts of the country now.