With the coronavirus raging across the globe, a few cinema halls in several parts of the country reopened after the seven-month shutdown on Thursday.  

While theatres and multiplexes remained closed in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Chhattisgarh, they were reopened in several places, including Delhi and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, with stringent protocols in keeping with the new COVID-19 normal.

However, with no new film releases this week, Sushant Singh Rajput’s last theatrical release ‘Chhichhore’ was re-released on the big screen along with ‘Kedarnath’, ‘Tanhaji’, ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’, ‘Malang’, ‘War’ and ‘Thappad’. 

Some of the theatres that re-opened held special screenings for COVID-19 warriors or staff members and their families.

In PVR Naraina, New Delhi, the first show was a special screening of Tapsee Pannu-starrer ‘Thappad’ for 40 coronavirus warriors, including doctors and civil defence volunteers. The special screening was organised by the New Delhi District Magistrate’s office.

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Meanwhile, PVR will resume commercial screenings on Friday, Cinepolis and INOX started showing films from Thursday with an emphasis on safety measures, including stringent sanitising and social distancing.

“Yes, you heard that right! We are open now! See you at the big screen! Cinemas will not be functional in a few states until further notice,” Cinepolis India said in a tweet.

“Sanitisation and deep cleaning with WHO recommended chemicals is done at regular intervals to keep your surroundings safe,” the tweet further read.

PVR Cinemas, India’s largest film exhibitor with 845 screens in 176 properties across 71 cities, on Wednesday said 10 states and four union territories have given their go-ahead for the reopening of cinemas.

Meanwhile, an INOX spokesperson in Kolkata said two of its facilities opened today in accordance with all the directives issued by the Centre, including e-tickets and contactless QR-based entries. Those with fever symptoms were being turned away.

Other facilities will gradually open too, she said but did not specify a timeframe.

The show timing, intermissions and exits are staggered and guests are encouraged to maintain a six-feet distance from other families and groups at all times.

SVF Cinemas, which owns 13 multiplexes in Kolkata, will open its doors from Friday with all the standard protocols, contactless ticket purchase, making alternate seating arrangements and regular use of sanitisers and disinfectants before and after shows, a spokesperson said.

However, owing to audiences’ skittishness, most halls recorded penurious ticket sales.

Ushering in a new era of movie watching, the Union government allowed multiplexes, cinema halls and theatres to reopen from Thursday within the framework of a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs). The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) left it to states to take a final call on the matter.

The SOPs mandated by the Union government include one seat distance in halls, 50% capacity, masks at all times, proper ventilation and air conditioner temperature settings at above 23 degrees Celsius.