Tamil Nadu government increases seating capacity of theatres from existing 50% to 100%

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday issued an order permitting to increase the seating capacity of cinemas, theatres, multiplexes from existing 50% to 100%. COVID-19 protocols will still be followed. Hereby, Tamil Nadu has become the first state in India to allow cinema halls to operate at full 100% capacity. It was only last week that Kerala government allowed the re-opening of theatres with 50% capacity with all COVID-safety protocols in place

In its order, the TN government said,
“Now, therefore the government hereby permits to increase the seating capacity of cinemas/theatres/multiplexes from existing 50 per cent to 100 per cent by following the Standard Operating Procedure issued already.”

The decision to increase crowd capacity in theatres will prove to be a huge booster for the film industry that has suffered huge losses over the past right months. The order comes days after actor Vijay and theatre owners requested Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to allow theatres to function at their full capacity.

Vijay’s ‘Master’ is all set for release on January 13 during the Pongal holidays. Theatre owners, distributors and industry insiders are all eagerly waiting to see if the film will be able to pull audience to theatres in large numbers like before. Simbu’s ‘Eeswaran’ is also scheduled to hit screens the next day, on January 14.