Months after government allowed them to reopen, theatres in Bijapur struggling to keep shows running
Bijapur: Even after the government permitted the opening of cinema halls/theatres to screen movies with 50 percent audience capacity, the majority of theaters in Bijapur city have remained closed.
Though the cinema halls were allowed to open from October 15 – only a few theaters began operations in early November while the remaining cinema halls have remained closed to date. Among the theaters that have opened are screening old popular and recent blockbuster movies but are still grappling to attract the audience.
Shravan Kumar Mahindrakar, proprietor of Apsara Cineplex said that, “We thought that we will get a good response from movie enthusiasts as the theaters have opened after nearly seven months but the response so far has largely disappointed us. In each show, we are witnessing merely less than 10 people in the cinema hall. Fearing infection of coronavirus, the people are still hesitant to come to theaters.”
“Because of multiple factors, we are facing issues to attract audience after unlock. One is the producers of big movies are hesitating to release movies fearing loss. Second is the small scale movie producers are marketing their movies to OTT platforms instead of releasing in theaters. The third is the younger generation are preferring to watch movies in OTT platforms than theaters,” detailed Mahindrakar, who has been running the theater for the past five decades.
There are about six theaters in the city. Among them, two are functioning and the remaining three are yet to open and one has decided to close the cinema hall permanently.
Ramesh Rayakar, proprietor of Laxmi Theaters pointed that, “The theaters bring good revenue to the government during the season but it has completely failed to come in rescue of theater proprietors. The state government has announced COVID relief to many sectors but failed to announce any sum to the cinema halls. While the theaters are grappling to earn enough revenue - the government has increased the license fee, it is unacceptable during the pandemic. The cinema halls are running under enormous difficulty – the government has to come in its rescue,” urged Rayakar.
The two theaters that are screening movies are witnessing less than 5 percent of movie enthusiasts out of total capacity. The theaters are paying half wages to the workers as cinema halls fail to receive a good response from the audience, claimed cinema hall proprietors.
Meanwhile, moviegoers said that “After seven months I had gone to the cinema hall to watch a new movie but I was disappointed to know that the cinema halls are forced to cancel the shows because of poor audiences. The feel of watching movies in theaters will not get the same in the OTT platforms.”
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TN polls: DMK promises Rs 8,000 'Illatharasi' coupon scheme for women
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday released his party's manifesto for the April 23 Assembly elections, and announced providing the "Illatharasi" coupon scheme worth Rs 8,000 for women to buy/replace household electronic goods.
He promised to implement a number of welfare measures in different sectors including education, industry and farming should the DMK return to power and described his party's set of poll promises as a "superstar.".
He said the coupon for women could be used to buy household appliances like TV, refrigerator, washing machine, mixie, microwave oven, induction stove or replace them.
"This new Illatharasi scheme will be implemented. Under this scheme, the women of families who don't come under the income tax bracket would be provided a one-time coupon worth Rs 8,000 to purchase these electronic goods from the shops in their places of residence," Stalin said.
'Illatharasi' in Tamil literally translates to the "queen of the house," and in effect refers to a women head of the family.
Announcing a slew of welfare measures targeting women, girl students, farmers and fishermen, he said "I have mentioned a few as a highlight."
"Usually in Tamil Nadu elections the DMK election manifesto is the hero, but now Dravidian model 2.O's poll manifesto is the superstar," Stalin, who is confident of winning over 200 seats out of 234 in the April 23 election, said.
Expanding the coverage for treatment under the CM Health Insurance scheme to Rs 10 lakh by increasing the annual income ceiling, hiking pension for elderly, widows and spinsters above 50 years to Rs 2,000 per month, doubling the monthly grant under the Kalaignar Magalir Urumai Thogai (monthly assistance) to Rs 2,000 and adding new eligible women under this scheme were some of the other promises the ruling party made.
Expanding the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme till Class 8, and providing free modern electric pump sets without any meters to more than 20 lakh farmers receiving free electricity were among the numerous announcements.
The DMK chief assured to enhance the procurement price of paddy to Rs 3,500 per quintal and the procurement price of sugarcane to Rs 4,500 per tonne.
About 10 lakh new concrete houses will be built under Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing scheme and various other housing schemes towards a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030.
Skill training will be imparted for five lakh youth who have completed higher education and they will also receive Rs 1,500 per month upon enrolment and completion of 6-month training under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, he said.
The state will ensure foreign investment of Rs 18 lakh crore aiming to create 50 lakh jobs in five years. The monthly higher education grant of Rs 1,000 to students under Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes will be increased to Rs 1,500. About 35 lakh free laptops will be provided to all college students.
Establishing four future-ready global cities around Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli apart, about 50 Semmozhi Poonga's will be constructed across Tamil Nadu, he said.
In his address, Stalin exuded confidence that the DMK is " going to form government for seventh time."
"This confidence is not just of the party workers but all of TN people, because no state government has made so many achievements. So many record schemes have been delivered. We have achieved double digit growth," he said
The DMK started its tenure in 2021 with a 10-year vision plan.
Today, 1.31 crore women were receiving Rs 1000 monthly assistance, he said. The BJP tried to stop it citing election but we realised the conspiracy and gave it in advance in February," the DMK chief added.
The manifesto was prepared by a team headed by party deputy general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kaniozhi and the team members included two state ministers. Stalin felicitated them on the occasion.
