Cinema theaters should only open in April of next year: Owners

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is almost certain that the cinema theaters in the state, which were closed when the lockdown was announced, will not reopen this year. Even if the government agrees to open next month, theater owners are not ready for it. The owners are of the opinion that theaters should be opened for Vishu next year. This will be announced in an online discussion with the Chief Minister on the 19th.

Though the Center has given permission to open theaters, it has not yet opened in Kerala. It opened in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh but later closed due to losses. This led organizations, including the Film Chamber, to delay the opening. Owners fear that the financial obligation will be greater when it opens than when it is closed.

Filming of 67 films has been completed before and after COVID. But the distributors are not interested in bringing most of these films to theaters without the audience.