If there is one industry which bore the brunt of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the movie industry. India is a country which makes the most number of movies in the world every year and it is a multi billion dollar industry. However, the pandemic forced movie theaters to close down shutters for more than nine months following government orders in a bid to check the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Since November 2020, theaters have been allowed to reopen in a phased manner following the guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Health.
Film Federation India, which is the apex body of the Indian film industry, has written to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting his intervention in allowing for 100% occupancy in the movie theaters. The federation also suggests more than 500 films have been stuck and are awaiting releases and with the current seating occupancy, the already affected movie business will take years to recover the losses. The federation also reasons since airlines and railways are running at full capacity, theaters should at least be given the liberty to run at full occupancy during the festive season. Furthermore, the federation also promised it is the responsibility of the film industry to ensure a controlled movie watching experience should a 100% occupancy be allowed in theaters.
ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu Revokes 100% Theater Occupancy After Notice From Central Government
Earlier, the Tamil Nadu government issued orders allowing 100% occupancy in theaters for the release of the Vijay starrer Master. But the orders were revoked after a few days, after the Central Government and the Madras High Court issued notices asking the State Government to adhere to the guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Health.
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