With over 90% of the adult population in Kerala having been vaccinated at least once, shooting within the Southern state has become a safer option, compared to the rest of the country. With 24 films currently being shot in various parts of Kerala, the State Government of Kerala is expected to sit down with theatre associations such as FEUOK, to discuss the reopening of theatres. With the WIPR (Weekly infection population ratio) continuing to reduce over the last month as well as the aforementioned vaccination rate, these new developments boost the chances for theatres to open within Kerala.
Already 75 movies have been pending its release, waiting for theatres to open within the state. Liberty Basheer, a film producer as well the president of the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation, is waiting for the State Government to give them the “go-ahead” to begin preparations for opening the theatres. G Suresh Kumar, president, Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, wants the State to get rid of the entertainment tax for the rest of the year, so that the theatres can start making some profits first. He also asks for concessions for electricity as well for loan applications. Still, even if these demands aren’t met, we will still likely see the cinema halls open by mid-October.
Already three major holidays which are celebrated in Kerala – Vishu, Eid and Onam have all passed during the theatre shutdown. Theatre owners will be hoping to reopen theatres with a bang with the upcoming Diwali holidays. But before that happens, a lot of medium budget projects are expected to release in theatres around the state, before the big-name releases will make an appearance. However, all of these plans will only come to fruition after theatres are allowed to be open within the state.
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