Odisha Unlock 8: Preparations Begin To Reopen Cinema Halls

Bhubaneswar: After a span of almost nine months, cinema halls and theatres will be reopened in Odisha from January. Owners of cinema halls across the State have begun preparations following the government's Unlock-8 guidelines which allows reopening of the same.

The State government on Wednesday issued its Unlock-8 guidelines for the month of January. As per the order, cinema halls and theatres can be opened with 50 per cent capacity.

"We have installed sanitizer machines, hand wash and all other requisite things and already conducted mock drills ahead of the reopening of the hall. One seat will be left vacant between the seats," said Bharat Chandra Bhanja Deo, chairman of Keshari cinema hall in Bhubaneswar.

Preparations are underway as per the COVID guidelines for the reopening, said Jitesh Pradhan, owner of Sangam Talkies, Cuttack.

Over 110 cinema halls across the State are closed since March following the government's lockdown order in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure had left the livelihood of thousands of people.

However, concerns have been raised whether there will be enough footfall of audience at a time when the Covid fear still exists and lack of movies being releasing following the lockdown.

"There are no signs of movies releasing shortly, but there won't be any problem in opening the halls if some good movies are released," said Hadu Subudhi, owner of Shiva-Shakti hall in Berhampur.

Besides, Jatra (theatre) artists are also excited over the government's green signal. "We are happy that the government has finally allowed reopening of theatres," said Ranjita Nayak, a Jatra artist.

As permission of district collectors is necessary for holding Jatras, manager of Parbati Gananatya, Pratap Das said, "We hope district collectors will give permission for holding the theatres."