No censor certification so far, no GO for special shows; yet theatres open bookings for Vijay film

CHENNAI: Even though the Tamil Nadu govt is yet to issue a GO permitting special shows of Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, several theatres, including popular screens like Rohini and Casino, opened bookings for 9am and 8.01am ‘special shows’ on Jan 11 and 12. The film is yet to clear the censor certification as well.Usually, the state home department issues a GO one day ahead of the movie release, permitting theatres to run 5 shows a day between 9am and 2am. Usually, theatres are allowed four shows — morning shows at 11am or noon, followed by a matinee show, evening and night shows. Big releases, however, are given special show permissions for fans through a GO and the usual time is 9am show.On Monday, Rohini opened a 9am shows for Jan 12, while Casino opened an 8:01 am show on January 11. In Madurai, at least eight theatres opened multiple 9am shows for January 11.When contacted, Rhevanth Charan, director of Rohini Silver Screens, said the GO is only for permitting five shows a day, against the usual four shows. "Legally, we can allow bookings between 9am to 2am any time. We only opened bookings for 9am shows now. Once the GO comes, we will adjust it with the subsequent shows," he said.States like Kerala and Karnataka allow 6am special shows, whereas such early morning shows were stopped in Tamil Nadu after Jan 2023, when a youngster died after falling from a moving lorry while dancing to celebrate Ajith-starrer Thunivu movie. Since then, the early morning show in Tamil Nadu is at 9am.Tamil Nadu theatre owners association President Tirupur Subramanian said some screens may have opened 9am shows in anticipation of the GO. "If the GO doesn't come, they will cut the night show. In Tamil Nadu, the shows will begin only at 9am," he said.When contacted, M P Saminathan, minister for information & publicity, on how theatres were opening special shows without a GO, his PA, who attended the call, said he would inform the minister and get back.