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Tag: Maharashtra CM

  • Multiplex Association writes to Maharashtra CM, says possible lockdown could hit cinemas

    Multiplex Association writes to Maharashtra CM, says possible lockdown could hit cinemas

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra has been witnessing a drastic surge in coronavirus cases over the past few days, and several medical experts have suggested that the only possible way to curb the rising caseloads is by implementing a second lockdown. Amid looming uncertainty over a possible shutdown, the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) has written to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, saying that another lockdown, if implemented, could hit the film exhibition industry very badly. 

    The MAI added that yet another halt on operations could also negatively affect the functioning of retail and shopping industries. 

    "Such measures that curtail smooth operations will not only deter genuine movie-goers and shoppers, who have slowly returned to cinemas and shopping centers, from visiting cinemas and malls but also put into motion a downward spiraling effect on cinema industry and modern retail that could derail the recovery of these segments," the association stated.

    In the letter, the MAI noted that the implementation of a second lockdown in the state will result in the postponement of several Hindi movie releases, which will in turn create an extremely hostile situation for cinemas across the nation. 

    The MAI added that "second lockdown will be extremely detrimental and would lead to severe and irreversible consequences for the cinema exhibition sector." 

    It was on 13 March 2020 that the Maharashtra government decided to close all cinema halls in the state due to the rising number of Coronavirus infections. The closure lasted until 9 November, and now, even after five months of opening, the industry has not stabilised due to the hesitance of people to enter movie halls. 

    Further, the MAI pointed out that cinema halls are ensuring sufficient hygienic practices, and even being a closed setting, theatres are safer when compared to local trains, metro trains, and airlines. The letter also asserted that a lockdown on cinemas will be discriminating and discouraging. 

    After months of remaining shuttered, cinemas reopened in October 2020 with a 50 per cent cap on seating and had to adhere to strict protocols issued by the government. Restrictions were further eased from 1 February 2021 and theatres were allowed to operate at 100 per cent capacity. However, footfalls have been low, and according to a Livemint report, hovering between seven to 30 per cent in north India. There are exceptions to this abysmal trend — Tamil film Master ran to packed houses even after arriving on an OTT platform, while Telugu film Uppena has also done great business.

  • Bollywood pins hope on the new Maharashtra government

    Bollywood pins hope on the new Maharashtra government

    MUMBAI: As the new Maharashtra Chief Minister took oath to serve the state, the Film and Television Producers Guild of India has come up with a list of issues and challenges the industry currently faces. 

     

    The entertainment capital of India – Mumbai has been the centre of the Indian entertainment industry since its inception and this industry provides employment directly or indirectly to almost 5 million people in the country. However, serious implications caused by the various archaic laws and heavy burden of taxation on the Hindi film sector has stunted the growth of this industry and made several stalwarts displeased with the system, said the statement issued by the organisation.

     

    According to the Film and Television Guild of India, the high taxes imposed on the Hindi film industry in the state, like the Entertainment Tax on films, applicability of VAT on television production business and stamp duty to keep local bodies taxes out of the proposed GST, have cast a dark spell for the ‘Film Guild’.

     

    The absence of single window mechanism has resulted in systematic harassment and malpractices over the years, and has increased costs for the producers thereby significantly discouraging producers from shooting in the state. In addition to this, the lack of adequate cinema halls in the state (much lower than southern states) has hampered the growth of the film industry and directly resulted in increase in piracy and loss of revenues to the government, as well as the industry, states the guild.

     

    These issues are not only detrimental to the growth of the industry but will result in an inevitable breakdown of the entire film industry, it added.

     

    Speaking about the various concerns weighing down the sector, Film and Television Producers Guild of India president Mukesh Bhatt said, “Maharashtra has always been the home for the Hindi film industry. Sadly, we have been made to feel like an orphan in our own home state. Leave aside any support; we are penalized for making films in a language which does not belong to any other state in the country including Maharashtra. The impartial treatment given to Hindi film industry in our own state in the past is obvious when it comes to the high tax structure, archaic laws and multiple complications restricting growth of the film industry in the state.”

     

    However, showcasing hope in the new chapter of Maharashtra politics, he added, “We are confident that the new BJP government in Maharashtra will address these pending issues and help the film industry achieve newer heights.”

     

    Mumbai has been the dream city for a lot of Bollywood actors, who have carved their space in the history of cinema and in the hearts of their fans over the years. It’s time that the entertainment industry is rewarded for all these years of service to the people and required changes be made in the system, as they hinge their hope on the newly elected BJP government.