UP theaters refuse to reopen amid restrictions

Lucknow: Movie theaters and multiplexes will not reopen in the state even though the government of Uttar Pradesh has allowed them to reopen from July 5.
The Federation of UP Cinema Exhibitors previously said theaters and multiplexes will reopen from July 9, but the decision has now been changed.
Federation President Ashish Agarwal said: âThere is no point in reopening the cinemas – single screen and multiplexes – from Friday as the weekend closure on Saturdays and Sundays continues. Most families watch movies on the weekends because it is a vacation for everyone. Also, the nighttime curfew that starts from 9pm means we can’t put on nightly shows. In such a situation, there is no point in reopening empty theaters. “
Cinema and multiplex owners want the state government to lift the weekend curfew and also the nighttime curfew, as cases of Covid are now negligible.
The Federation has said that unless the restrictions are removed, it will not want to reopen the theaters.
Meanwhile, a multiplex manager in Lucknow said, âAnyway, there aren’t any new movies coming out at the moment, so business is going to be low. These restrictions will further affect the business. Unless theaters are allowed to run all week, new movies won’t come out. After all, who wants to release movies with 20% business. “