Guwahati: In movie-mad India, the news that cinema halls shall finally reopen tomorrow (October 15) bodes as a good sign for many. Millions of filmgoers are no doubt waiting to watch films on the big screen after almost 7 months of closure.
As per the SOPs announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar last week, theatres can open with a 50% seating capacity, one seat distance, compulsory masks at all times, proper ventilation, and air conditioner temperature settings at above 23 degrees Celsius.
The reopening of the cinema halls has been hailed by exhibitors, the Centre has allowed the states to take the final call in this regard.
Nearly 10,000 movie theaters around the country closed in mid-March following coronavirus restrictions. Many of them -- in states where the governments have given their nods to reopen halls --will reopen on Thursday.
The cascading effects of zero box-office returns and virus restrictions have posed a major challenge to the exhibitors and they are desperate now to recoup the losses. During this period, entertainment-thirsty Indians have turned to platforms such as Hotstar, Netflix, etc.
Which films will be the first to release post-lockdown?
Bollywood film Khaali Peeli, Tamil film Ka Pae Ranasingam and Hollywood movies My Spy, Force of Nature and The Rental are set to become the first films to have a theatrical release.
Fans are also waiting for Christopher Nolan's Tenet, key scenes of which were filmed in Mumbai.
How did the COVID-19 lockdown impact cinemas?
The COVID-19 triggered lockdown badly impacted the movie business across India. Just weeks ago, multiplex owners had said in full-page newspaper ads that they'd suffered $1.2 billion in ticket losses and appealed to the government to allow them to open.