‘150 single-screen theatres in State likely to shut permanently’

Film industry’s hopes of revival dashed as they stay closed while malls reopen today

The State government’s decision to keep theatres closed while allowing malls, shops and commercial establishments to open their doors to the public from Monday has come as a huge blow to the film industry. With a long list of films – potentially blockbusters in multiple languages – waiting to hit the screens, the industry was hoping to be allowed to open on Monday as part of unlock 3.0. The film exhibition industry has already crossed the tipping point and nearly 150 of the total 640 single screens are likely to be closed permanently, said K.V. Chandrashekhar, chairperson, Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Association. “We have always been the first to be shut down and the last to open up during the pandemic. In the last 15 months, we have been closed for over 12 months. The government has refused to give us a helping hand, spelling doom for many theatres,” he said.