19:42 PST 1/31/2021
by
Patrick Brzeski
COVID-19 infections and mortality rates have been steadily declining in the country. Several Bollywood tent poles awaiting the pandemic, such as Salman Khan’s action crime tent pole ‘Radhe’, are expected to hit cinemas in the weeks and months.
India on Monday allowed 100 per cent in cinemas, and lifted a 50 per cent cap on the seat that has existed since October 2020.
“The seating within the auditorium of the theaters / theaters / multiplexes should be allowed up to 100 percent seating,” India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said on Saturday.
Various COVID-19 prevention measures remain mandatory for both cinema staff and customers, including incredible showtimes and bookings, mandatory social distance, and the use of face masks and hand sanitizers. The government has also introduced detailed guidelines for air ventilation in movie theaters, setting the target temperature and humidity range, and advising on recirculation. Several regions of the country designated as COVID-19 delivery zones will continue to insist that cinemas remain closed.
The relaxation of cinema restrictions follows a broad improvement in the COVID-19 infection rates within the borders of India. As of Monday, India’s weekly Covid-19 mortality rate has fallen by 88 percent since a peak in September 2020, and weekly deaths have fallen below 1,000 for the first time since the first week of May last year.
Amid the improvement of public health and market conditions, several large-budget Indian films awaiting the theatrical release pandemic are preparing to hit theaters. Tamil language tent pole Karnan, starring Dhanush (aka Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja), responded quickly to the good news from the cinema by announcing that it will be released in April. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s action crime tent pole Radhe will also be expected to hit theaters in the coming months.