Kerala theatres may not reopen until 2021

Though theatres in Tamil Nadu have been permitted to reopen, theatres in Kerala still remain closed. Various Malayalam cinema organisations are not willing reopen theatres until the government makes certain relaxations. The associations will be meeting Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayai Vijayan on Thursday.

Rejaputhra Renjith, president of the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA), said they hope to see the government consider their requests during the meeting. The demands involve the scrapping of fixed electricity charges and the local body entertainment tax (LBET). Renjith also added that they are trying to find an alternative to the virtual print fee (VPF).

The Malayalam film industry incurred heavy losses due to the pandemic and, as of now, reopening the theatres is not seen as a practical move by both exhibitors and producers. However, more details can be expected only after the local body election results in mid-December.