In a new directive, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has granted permission to theatres for scheduling five shows a day for newly released Tamil films. This directive comes after the CM met with the representatives of the Tamil film industry, on May 16.
Under the existing The Tamil Cinema (Regulation) Rules, 1957, a film could have four scheduled shows, with an extra 'special' show scheduled on festive holidays and government holidays. The permission for scheduling shows was previously granted by the District Collector or a Police Inspector for districts outside Chennai. For Chennai, the permission was granted by the Commissioner of Police.
With the new directive, a newly released Tamil film can have five scheduled shows a day, for seven days beginning with the day of its release. Apart from that, five shows can be scheduled on weekends, festive holidays and government holidays. This new directive also details that extra shows can be scheduled, without the requirement of the permission of the concerned authorities.
