On the wake of the increasing losses by the Kannada film industry's artists, producers, and workers, it has been decided to allow cinema halls to fill up to 100 per cent of their capacity for four weeks on a trial basis, Health and Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said on Wednesday. The minister made the announcement after a meeting held as per instructions of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa with key office-bearers of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the industry.
As per the technical advisory committee's recommendations, the Health department had earlier allowed 50 percent seatings in cinema halls. Though Centre had given green signal for 100 per cent seating, the decision was left to the discretion of state governments depending on the situation in each state, he noted. "Owners of cinema halls should adhere to these guidelines and people should strictly follow. If any case of COVID-19 is detected, the government will have to inevitably revoke the decision," the minister cautioned. Yesterday, Prashanth Neel, producer of KFG, had demanded the government to approve full occupancy in theatres.