Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday permitted theatres across the state to screen up to six shows a day for newly released Tamil films during their opening week. The move comes as a significant relief to the Tamil film industry.
The additional screenings can be held between 6 am and 2.30 am the following day, the government said.
Under Condition 14-A of the Form 'C' licence issued under the Tamil Nadu Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1957, theatres were earlier restricted to screening four shows a day.
After the present government assumed office, the limit was relaxed to five shows a day during the first seven days of a film's release, as well as on weekends, public holidays and local festival days.
Ahead of Deepavali, the decision was taken based on the request made by the Tamil Film Producers Council, Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association and Tamil Nadu Multiplex Owners Association to the chief minister.
Following consultations on the requests and concerns raised by industry stakeholders, the chief minister directed that necessary amendments be proposed to the Tamil Nadu Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, a press release said.
Under the revised guidelines, theatres can now screen up to six shows a day during the first week of a new film's release.
The six-show allowance will also be applicable on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and local festival days, offering theatre owners greater flexibility in scheduling screenings.
The order is expected to benefit producers, theatre owners and fans, especially during the Diwali releases.
(With inputs from PTI & ANI)