In the latest development, the Madras High Court (MHC) on Friday asked the theatres in Tamil Nadu to operate at 50% capacity, overriding the previously issued government order that allowed cinema halls to operate at full capacity. The AIADMK-led Tamil Nadu government issued an order on January 4 allowing theatres to function at 100% capacity after film stars made requests for the provision citing film releases during Pongal. However, the Madurai bench of the Madras HC reversed the government's decision and ordered the film theatres to function at 50% occupancy. The bench further sought the state government's reply on the matter by January 11 failing which the Court could be forced to issue fresh orders.
Meanwhile, two big ticket films namely Master and Eeswaran will hit the big screens during the Pongal holidays. It was also reported that Thalapathy Vijay had met the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and requested him to relax the norms by permitting 100 percent occupancy in cinema halls. While Eeswaran is releasing on January 14th, Master is hitting the big screens on January 13th. Master has Vijay as Malavika Mohanan as the lead actors, while Andrea Jeremiah, Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, Arjun Das and Gauri Kishan in key roles. Eeswaran has Silambarasan TR and Nidhhi Aggerwal as the lead actors, while Bharathiraja will be seen playing a key role.