Every producer in Bollywood wants one thing right now. That is the opening of theatres across the country. Even actors have joined them in this conquest. On Sunday, Together, with the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) they requested the centre to open theatres, shut ever since the lockdown.
The government has gradually opened many things which include shops, markets, offices, and domestic travel in non-containment zones.
Many people are dependent upon the opening of theatres so that they can get back to work and earn money. A lot of people are employed in the film industry, who have been rendered unemployed due to the shut down of theatres. Even the Unlock 4 phase guidelines of the government, has not allowed the opening of theaters.
Using the hashtag, “Support Movie Theatres”, the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) tweeted :
The Cinema Industry is an inherent part of the country’s culture, but also an integral part of the economy, supporting millions of livelihoods #SupportMovieTheatres
— Multiplex Association Of India (@MAofIndia) August 30, 2020
They posted two more tweets, supporting their argument. Earlier, the MAI had even sent SOPs to several central ministries, Prime Minister’s office, and Niti Ayog.
Taking the lead among the Bollywood producers was Boney Kapoor, whose film Maidaan got stalled due to the pandemic. He posted the following tweet :
#SupportMovieTheatres #SaveCinemas pic.twitter.com/O0loQxKBbR
— Boney Kapoor (@BoneyKapoor) August 30, 2020
Joining Boney were actors Parvin Dabas, Abhimanyu Dassani, and Reliance Entertainment, CEO Shibashish Sarkar. All of them posted a series of tweets, for garnering support.
Although everyone is staring at a loss if theatres don’t open up, it is Reliance Entertainment, whose two big films, Sooryavanshi and 83 are in the limbo due to the delays.
The multiplex industry employs 2,000,00 people currently in India and they account for nearly 60 percent revenue of the film industry.