The INSIDE Story: How Rohit Shetty’s RELENTLESS efforts over the past few weeks led to the reopening of cinemas in Maharashtra

https://ift.tt/3ufRIaT

The last 48 hours have been absolutely exciting for the trade, industry and moviegoers at large. On Saturday, September 25, the government of Maharashtra announced that it’ll allow the reopening of cinemas in the state from October 22. Within an hour, blockbuster director Rohit Shetty announced that he’s releasing his much awaited film Sooryavanshi, starring Akshay Kumar, on Diwali, that is, November 5. The next day, Sunday, September 26, more than a dozen films’ release dates were announced, leaving everyone associated with the industry ecstatic.

A source has now revealed that Rohit Shetty played an important role in reopening Maharashtra for the cinema business. The source told us, “While cinemas were open in most parts of India, merely 3 films released as Maharashtra, which contributes nearly 30% of revenue, was shut. Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi was stuck since nearly 18 months and he took the initiative of having multiple talks with the government of Maharashtra, including the chief minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray, for the last few weeks. The other stakeholders of the industry, including the multiplex owners and exhibitors, also made efforts. Then on Saturday, Rohit once again met Uddhav Thackeray. Thanks to him and others present at the meeting, Uddhav Thackeray agreed to reopen cinemas from October 22. Ultimately, the move will benefit not just Rohit Shetty as he’ll be able to release Sooryavanshi but the whole industry as some very important films has been waiting for a theatrical release for a long time.”

However, Rohit Shetty’s role doesn’t end here. Today, he’ll have another meeting with Uddhav Thackeray and he told a trade website that he’ll now persuade the CM to allow shows till midnight. The source said, “If cinemas are allowed to operate till 10:00 pm, then the last show will be held at 6:45 or 7:30 pm, depending on the film’s length. With the 50% occupancy rule expected to be in place when cinemas reopen, a night curfew can further hamper the business. Here’s hoping that Uddhav Thackeray allows theatres to have night shows, provided they take care of all the safety measures.”

A trade expert said, “Rohit Shetty exudes a lot of respect and awe from the police force and the government, thanks to his films like Singham. He’s also one of the top directors and hence, he was the right person to negotiate on behalf of the industry. And as expected, he has done his job very well.”

Also Read: Rohit Shetty confirms Diwali release for Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif starrer Sooryavanshi