GUWAHATI: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, India is estimated to have lost over 20% to 30% of its cinema screens during the lockdown. The film industry has also been adversely affected during the lockdown which resulted in the shutdown of several cinema halls in the country.
According to sources, four cinema halls in Guwahati are likely to be closed down after incurring loss during the pandemic.
According to reports, four cinema halls in the city – Apsara Cinema Hall, Meghdoot, Urvashi and Vandana -- are likely to close down.
Inside Northeast spoke to the President of All Assam Cinema Hall Owners Association, Chinmoy Sarma, who informed that the closing down of these cinema halls are still not confirmed. However, around 4-5 cinema halls are no more interested in resuming after the lockdown.
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Sarma informed that the cinema halls have been issued heavy electricity bills which resulted in heavy loss in the business. The electricity board has also disconnected their electricity connections. Due to this, the cinema halls have decided to close down, reports said.
He further cleared that the Cinema halls Association has not received any official statement from these cinema halls yet.
It may be mentioned that the cinema halls remained closed since the beginning of the lockdown. Although the Ministry of Home Affairs have issued guidelines to reopen theatres from October with 50% audience, the Guwahati Hall Owners’ Association has decided to keep the halls shut.
The hall owners decided to keep the theatres shut stating that if they will reopen the theatres with 50 % audience, they will have to undergo loss. The halls in the city are yet to reopen after the lockdown, although operations have resumed in most other parts of the country.
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