The Central Govt has written to the TN State Govt that it has not relaxed the 50% norm for theater occupancy in its new guidelines and that as per a SC order, all States are bound to go by the MHA directive with regard to lockdown restrictions. With 50% occupancy, Master release in TN will be a bad business proposition. Meanwhile Kerala Kerala Film Chamber decided to not open theaters with 50% occupancy and still pay Entertainment tax. Thus Master release in TN and Kerala remains in doubt.
In a retaliatory move by Kerala Exhibitors to Mohanlal- Antony Perumbavoor combo selling Drishyam 2 to OTT and facilitating a full wide release of Vijay's Master which is said to be distributed by friends close to Lal- Prithiviraj combo, it has got Kerala Film Chamber to announce that only if State Govt waive off ET tax will it release Master or any film with 50% occupancy.
The office bearers of the Kerala theater owners' association said that opening theaters with 50 per cent capacity and paying entertainment tax is not a feasible option. The government has also fixed the timing for screening movies from 9 am to 9 pm, which is not acceptable to the theater owners as they feel that late night shows draw maximum customers.
