Talasani Srinivas, who is Telangana’s Animal Husbandry and Cinematography Minister, met several bigwigs and producers of Tollywood recently in Hyderabad and conveyed their concerns to the government of Telangana. It’s heard that the producers urged the theaters to open from next month as there had been a massive loss due to lockdown. Nevertheless, the government banned the decision to resume theater functioning anytime soon.
Talasani Srinivas Yadav shares that the public may not show up any interest to rush to the theaters to watch films and even stressed on the point that theatres should tweak in the current seating order and tailor to the needs of the visitors in accordance with social distancing norms. He said that it would take no lesser than 2-3 months for the theatres to open for the public.
In a conversation with a media person, minister said multiplexes may still can afford to revamp the changes within the cinema hall. On the contrary, the smaller theaters will be worst hit as they ran out the funds to bear it. However, it’s not just the decision of the government even the exhibitors are not in concordance about the decision. While some want functioning to resume with certain restrictions, on the other hand few favour to wait for some more time. It is a divided house, Minister Talasani said.
The Television serial makers have appealed that they will shoot only indoors with limited crew. “But we have asked them to wait because ultimately the light boys, the drivers, crew have to travel from different parts of the city to the shooting spot. How do you ensure no one is Covid positive? It will be a risk.” The Telangana government is in no hurry to open either cinema theaters or permit resumption of film or TV serial shooting, he added.