Court orders TN govt to permit only 50 percent occupancy in theatres

The Madras High Court has asked Tamil Nadu Government to repeal its order permitting 100 per cent occupancy in theatres, instead, allow theatres to operate with 50 per cent occupancy. Netizens argued over theatre occupancy as several doctors opposed 100 per cent occupancy requested by actor Vijay and Silambarasam, as per reports.

Chennai: The Madras High Court has ordered theatres to operate with 50 per cent occupancy till January 11 in Tamil Nadu. Further, the Court has asked the state government to respond regarding the same by January 11. If the government doesn't respond, the Court said that they might be forced to issue an order.

According to reports, on January 6, the Ministry of Home Affairs had directed the state government to withdraw its prior order permitting 100 per cent occupancy. MHA said that it is contrary to its guidelines on theatre and multiplex occupancies. Considering the Pongal season ahead and movies set to be released, Tamil Nadu government allowed 100 per cent occupancy on January 4, reports pointed out.

Reports said, earlier, actor Vijay had requested Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to permit 100 per cent occupancy as his movie Master would be released on January 13. Later, actor Silambarasam also followed suit as his film Easwaran is lined up for release during Pongal, according to reports.

Film 'Master' is starred by Vijay, Vijay Sethupathi, Malavika Mohanan, Andrea Jeremiah and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. It was to be released on April 9, 2020, and Covid-19 pandemic halted the release. After a year, the film was set to be in the limelight on January 13.

Directed by Suseenthiran, film Eeswaran is a rural drama enacted by Nidhhi Agerwal and Nandita Swetha.