HYDERABAD: Film theatres in
Telangana will be closed from Wednesday. The decision was taken by film distributors and exhibitors who held a virtual meeting following the state government imposing night curfew.
“Theatres will be closed till the end of the month. This decision on the part of the film industry is voluntary, owing to the increase in Covid-19 cases,” P Vijendar Reddy, secretary, Telangana State Film Chamber of Commerce, told TOI.
However, screening of the recently-released Pawan Kalyan-starrer ‘Vakeel Saab’ will continue. This is because of the agreements that have already been signed between distributors and exhibitors to run the film.
The film industry will take stock of the situation and decide on whether to open theatres depending on government decisions.
Film shootings will also take place only in ‘emergency situations’ as the
Telugu Film Producers Council has described. TFPC honorary secretaries T Prasanna Kumar and Mohan Vadlapatla said even if the shootings take place, they will follow Covid-19 protocols, and there will not be more than 50 persons on the sets.
Because of the rising cases, two big-budget films, which were scheduled to release have been postponed. Another six big-budget films are said to be in the pipeline.
According to industry sources, if producers choose to release their films even in this situation reducing the number of shows and following protocols, theatres may consider it.