Theatres in Karnataka to stay shut till January 2021

The Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation has decided to not reopen theatres across the state till January next, as several movie producers are unwilling to release films in theatres due to restrictions amid the pandemic.

Bengaluru: As many movie producers are unwilling to release films in theatres due to seating restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation has decided to not reopen theatres across the state till January next.

According to the movie producers for most new releases, over-the-top (OTT) platforms have become the preferred choice ever since the lockdown.

After a meeting of film exhibitors, federation chairman RR Odugoudar told the media that many producers have expressed their unwillingness to release big-ticket movies till January 2021 though the government had given its nod to reopen theatres with restrictions and by following standard operating procedures as per the Unlock 5.0 guidelines.

Addressing the media Odugoudar said “Producers are saying that they won’t release films till January 2021. In such circumstances, exhibitors have also decided to not open theatres till January as it will only bleed us”.

The exhibitors further said that over the last six months, they were facing severe challenges and most of their requests and demands were placed before the government and producers were not fulfilled.

Also mentioning about the varying property tax rates on cinema theatres under different civic bodies, the exhibitors have sought uniform rates across the state and doing away with trade licences for theatres.

They also said that producers must agree to changing the existing business module of fixed weekly payments to a percentage- based module.