Tamil Nadu Film Chamber of Commerce president Abirami Ramanathan has welcomed the state government’s decision to allow theatres in Tamil Nadu to have an extra show this Deepavali. According to the state government’s directive, theatres across TN can accommodate an extra screening of the festival releases. The show must be scheduled between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM on November 7,8 and 9.
Touring cinemas must accommodate the extra show at 11.30 am on November 6, 10 and 11 and one extra matinee show at 2.30 pm on November 7, 8 and 9.
Ramanathan told Silverscreen that theatres have been asked to inform local authorities about the timetable of their extra shows well in advance so that the license and tax issues can be taken care of. “Usually, the government permits an extra show on festival days only. Last month, the TN government had asked us to not screen more than four shows on normal days. With Deepavali releases, this can negatively impact our business. So the TN Film Exhibitors Association wrote a letter asking for permission to screen an additional show for three days following the Deepavali holiday. The request was fortunately approved. With five shows a day between November 6 and 10, we will be able to accommodate more audience and also recoup any costs we incur.”
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Thus far, there has been no word yet from the government on allowing early morning shows of the festival releases. These shows are a tradition for fans of Tamil actors. And Ramanathan remains optimistic that the TN Government will relent and allow such shows as well. “Earlier, we used to have 4 am and 5 am shows in our state. Recently though, that practice has been stopped. It’s a tradition for fans to queue up outside the theatre, burst crackers and celebrate the film of their favourite star. This must be allowed this year,” he said.
Several theatres in Chennai have requested permission from the government to hold early morning shows. A representative for Kasi Theatre in Chennai told Silverscreen that they have not received permission as yet. And that they have not scheduled any show for that slot as yet.
But the government’s directive ensures that there’s no scope for the theatres to slot extra shows before 9.30 in the morning.
Interestingly, some theatre owners have complained that distributors of Sarkar have been asking them to sell tickets to the movie at exorbitant rates, despite a government order that restricts ticket prices to Rs 206. A theatre in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu has announced that it will not screen Sarkar as its local distributor has asked them to sell tickets for a rate above the TN government’s mandated rate. The announcement was made on social media earlier this week.
Since we have not agreed to "Sarkar" Distributor's condition of selling all tickets in Black for more than Rs.200 for the 1st 2 days, we will not screen Sarkar.
We always want to provide good cinema in an Ethical Manner. Actor Vijay should practice what he preaches.@actorvijay— Ranee Paradise 4K 3D AC DTS (@4kRanee) November 3, 2018
Insiders say that this effort by the distributors is due to the large amount they spent in securing the distribution rights of Sarkar. Abirami Ramanathan said that he was not aware of such an issue. “We must ensure that the TN government’s mandate is implemented. An increase in ticket rates must be authorised by the Government,” he added.
Apart from Vijay starrer Sarkar, Vimal’s Kalavani Maapillai and RK Suresh’s Billa Pandi have been scheduled to release on Deepavali.