Cinema, jatra, music shows to start in state from Oct 1: Govt

Kolkata: Cinemas, plays, jatras, musical and dance recitals as well as magic shows will resume from October 1 after a six-month break, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet on Saturday evening.
“To return to normalcy, “jatras, plays, OATs, cinemas and all musical, dance, recital & magic shows shall be allowed to function with 50 participants or less from 1 Oct subject to adherence to physical distancing norms, wearing of masks and compliance to precautionary protocols,” she posted.The announcement was greeted with joy by the film and entertainment industry.
Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee said he was happy with the news of the reopening. “Work has already begun for television and OTT. So many technicians are involved with the entertainment industry. I am very happy for them,” he said.
At present, Bengal has 200 single screens and 60 multiplexes. According to Ratan Saha, chairman of the exhibitor section of Eastern India Mot-ion Pictures Association (EIMPA), “This decision is good for our industry. Even if 50 people are allowed, it is a beginning.” While Saha sought clarity on whether a central government notification was required, Chatterjee felt the chief minister must have already discussed it with relevant authorities before she tweeted on the subject.
With cinemas shut for six months, most releases have been on OTT. Exhibitors feel that there could be difficulty initially in sourcing content. “Those who decide to reopen will have to check if the theatres are in working condition. There is also the issue of getting good content immediately,” Saha added.
Incidentally, singer Lopamudra Mitra had just a day before requested the chief minister to allow programs since livelihood of musicians and technicians, managers and support groups were at stake. “Allowing programs to begin with 50 people is a good start. We will follow all the norms that are set for us,” she said.
Jatra groups are also relieved at the prospect of shows resuming soon. At present there are some 60 professional jatra groups operating in Chitpur. Piya Sengupta, who is also the president of EIMPA and a jatra actress, said, “Jatras and machas involve livelihood of more than lakhs of people. There is finally some light at the end of the tunnel for them.”