The number of COVID cases in India continues to rise. As a result, the Bollywood industry believes that it will suffer. 

The decision 

Under the Graded Response Action Plan, the government administration ordered the immediate closure of all cinemas in the city due to the escalating number of COVID-19 cases. Those who own movie theatres are afraid that they’ll be forced to shut down again because of the large losses they’ll suffer. 

Effects of the decision 

The last week of 2021 has delivered bad news for the movie theatre business. It has been hard hit by the COVID-19 outbreak that began in India in March of last year.

In the next few weeks, film releases may be pushed back as new restrictions are put in place.

The government ordered the closure of movie halls and multiplexes as the COVID-19 positive rate remained over 0.5 percent. This is despite the fact that pubs and restaurants are permitted to stay open till 10 p.m., at 50% capacity.

Producers and distributors are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their movies. After the injunction, the release date of Shahid Kapoor‘s “Jersey,” which was originally set for December 31st, has already been postponed.

According to the Multiplex Association of India’s president, Kamal Gianchandani, “Delhi government’s decision to shut down cinemas in Delhi, while enforcing the ‘yellow’ alert of the GRAP, has caused massive uncertainty and could lead to irreparable damage for the Indian film industry.”

After that, he said that since March 2020, the Indian movie industry has had its most challenging phase.

To ensure the safety of the public and personnel, Gianchandani said that theatres have already implemented increased ventilation systems, improved cleanliness, and other safety standards.

Kamal asked that the movie theatre industry be treated on an equal footing with other similarly situated businesses.

Solutions

As several other states demand a “double vaccination requirement” for entry into movies, the MAI has asked the Delhi government to investigate this option. 

Cinemas might instead reinstate a 50% seating capacity limit. In order to make it through this unprecedented moment, the government should recognize the unique significance of the Indian film industry. 

According to the management of the multiplexes, the shutdown is not an option.

“While we fully understand and respect the decision of the state government and will follow all the orders, there is no other country that has re-imposed a lockdown on cinemas as they are relatively safer than other mediums, due to extra height and precautions”, said Devang Sampat, the CEO of Mexican multiplex firm Cinepolis’ India operations.

Sampat also said that businesses must be permitted to operate in an environment where proper measures, not lockdowns, have been determined by governments throughout the world.

Some of the other prominent releases in the first quarter of 2022 are Radhe Shyam, Attack, Gangubai Kathiawadi, and Jayeshbhai Jordaar, among others.