Kochi: Theatres in Kerala, which were closed amid the pandemic outbreak, will reopen soon. A decision regarding this has been taken in the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with the Film Producers’ Association, Film Chamber and FEUOK representatives.
Film Producers’ Association representatives including president Ranjith, general secretary Anto Joseph, Hamsa, Film Chamber president Vijayakumar and FEUOK general secretary Boby participated in the meeting.
Meanwhile, film producers have summoned an emergency meeting of the association in Kochi on Monday evening. Producers of 80 movies, which are about to release, have been summoned for the meeting.The meeting will discuss releasing the movies on a priority basis.
Following the meeting, the association will declare the date of theatre reopening. The associations have agreed to reopen the theatres after the CM agreed to their conditions.
During the meeting, the associations requested the Chief Minister to exempt them from paying entertainment tax. If the government cancels the decision to levy entertainment tax, the theatres will be able to bear the loss from 50 percent seat occupancy. The government will also give more time for the theatre owners to renew their licenses.
Meanwhile, the CM asserted that second shows will not be allowed in theatres.
With this, Kollywood star Vijay’s much anticipated movie ‘Master’ will be released in Kerala on January 13. Apart from Tamil Nadu, Tamil movies record highest revenue in Kerala.
Makers and distributors of ‘Master’ were worried about the release of the movie after FEUOK declared that theatres in Kerala will remain shut.
Earlier, the state government had granted permission to reopen the theatres from January 5 onwards with 50 percent seat occupancy adhering to COVID protocol.
