Kochi: Theatres which remained shut for more than 10 months will open on Wednesday. Tamil movie ‘Master’ starring Vijay will hit the screens on the reopening day. Out of the 670 theatres in Kerala, 500 theatres will screen ‘Master’ from Wednesday onwards.
The next week, movies including Jayasurya starrer ‘Vellam’ will be released.
Theatre owners informed that they faced many issues as the theatres reopened after a long break.
“Projector, generator and AC in most of the theatres were found unfunctional. Walls of AC theatres and seats were found covered with fungus. Rs 3 to Rs 5 lakh was spent for maintenance works in theatres ahead of the reopening,” said FEUOK general secretary MC Boby.
Only 50 percent seats will be allowed to be occupied as per government order. Seating arrangements are done in alternate seats. The theatre owners reported that gloves and sanitizer will be distributed to staff and audience.
The government has granted permission to reopen theatres with 5- percent seat occupancy and adhering to strict COVID-19 protocol.
At the same time, the theatre owners are clueless about the number of people who will arrive to watch the movie.
They noted that the stance of the audience on watching movies in theatres amid the pandemic will be revealed once more Malayalam movies hit the theatres.
“Theatres are opened trusting the Chief Minister’s promises. Film Chamber has done maximum to solve the problems of the theatres. Now, public will decide the destiny of the theatres,” said Kerala Film Chamber president K Vijayakumar.
Vijay fans in Kerala wait for ‘Master’
“The makers of Vijay’s ‘Master’ stood by the fans by avoiding OTT release. The movie will be a super hit in Kerala. There is no doubt. We are thrilled to watch the movies back in theatres,” said Sanoop Yousuf, Vijay Fans Association coordinator.
