The Coronavirus pandemic is on the rise for the third time in the last two years and the world is afraid that we are sliding towards the third wave of COVID-19 as the new variant emerges as the worst. The steep rise in new cases in India and its capital, Delhi, has forced the government to intervene and impose new restrictions. Recently, the Chief Minister of Delhi announced a partial lockdown in Delhi when the positivity rate increased significantly. As a result, theatres and multiplexes were the first to be shut down. Devastated from the losses, the Multiplex Association has approached CM Arvind Kejriwal to seek support from the government.
After the Delhi Government announced a yellow alert and shut down public places to curb the spread of the deadly virus, movie theatres have been shut for a time indefinite. Film producers are now seeking alternate options to release their movies which are cancelled in the recently announced curbs. The Multiplex Association of India is not very happy with the decision and has sent a letter to the Delhi CM to plead support and get cinemas reopened.
The letter sent to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal speaks about the adverse economic situation the cinema industry would face if the shutdown is not rolled back. The letter claims that the cinema industry is on the brink of bankruptcy and if the cinemas remain shut down, they will lose many big movies. The association claims that instead of postponing the upcoming movies, the filmmakers are seeking digital releases which will end up leaving no new films to show. “As a result of this, the cinema exhibition industry has run into an extremely adverse and hostile situation and is in need of urgent help from the Government,” read the letter.
The letter further reads, “Forthcoming film JERSEY (release date – 31st December 2021) has already cancelled its release and is being considered for a direct to OTT release. Other films due to be released in January 2022 are likely to announce the cancellation of their release dates, soon.”
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