If TN Govt pulls back the permission for 100% theater occupancy, exhibitors will go ahead with screening of Thalapathy Vijay ‘s Master but not with Eswaran the STR film. Tirupur Subramanian Head of Exhibitors body has declared this and put STR fans and distributors in a fix. The reason being that only if all screens are given to Master, will the distributors recover their money. Meanwhile, Exhibitors and State Govt are huddled together to find a way out. Exhibitors are asking for a holiday from Entertainment tax till the Central Govt relaxes the rule to 100% occupancy.
This is a way out to compensate the loss of business to exhibitors. However, the law department says that offering such tax holiday to film exhibitors sector would be challenged in court. In such an eventuality, the court would strike it down as viewing of films is not integral part of everyday life of a common man. Many critical sectors that suffered loss due to COVID have not been granted any relief.
Theater owners say that enforcing 50% occupancy is in the hands of police and health authorities. As they are under control of State Govt, the SOP would remain on paper. Implementing the law in rural areas and in single screens (who are in a majority) is near to impossible, they point out. A case in point is the overcharging of ticket rates which rampantly goes on.
However a silent drama is unfolding in Vijay camp. A faction of the Vijay fans that are regrouping under SAC ( father of Vijay) is said to be planning demonstrations against AIADMK if it withdraws the 100% occupancy order. Vijay has in a complaint said two of the expelled office bearers of the fan club who are staying in a building owned by him are overstaying and they be vacated. Some of the expelled office bearers are facing police cases as some old complaints are being taken up for review.
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