‘Master’ screening | 11 cases against Chennai theatres for violations

The Chennai Police registered 11 cases against 10 theatres till Wednesday night for violating the 50% seating capability rule and COVID-19 security tips throughout the screening of the Vijay-starrer Master.

The police mentioned the theatres at Jafferkhanpet, Ayanavaram, Koyambedu and different locations within the south and east zones have been discovered violating the norms, and cases have been registered below Section 188 (disobedience to an order promulgated by public servant) and Section 269 (negligent act prone to unfold an infection of illness harmful to life) of the Indian Penal Code. Some theatres have been slapped with a high-quality of ₹5,000.

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“We had taken a written undertaking from the theatre owners that they would function only with 50% seating capacity and follow all the COVID-19 safety guidelines. Based on the instruction of city police commissioner Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, the Deputy Commissioners conducted surprise checks. We registered cases wherever violations were found,” a senior police officer mentioned.

Despite the government ordering that cinema halls function only with 50% seating capacity and comply with the rules, some well-known single-screen theatres within the metropolis screened the movie to a full home and bought tickets at exorbitant costs. The movie additionally stars Vijay Sethupathi, and has been directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj.

Some of those theatres have been accused of overcharging followers of massive stars for the early morning exhibits, which have change into a part of the State’s widespread tradition within the final decade. Meeran, 30, who noticed the movie at a single-screen theatre close to Ashok Pillar, mentioned he went to the primary present of the primary day at 4 a.m. “The fans were celebrating without masks and physical distancing norms. All the seats were filled and a ticket was priced at ₹1,000. This was the case at a few other single-screen theatres where morning shows were held,” he mentioned.

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In the morning, a couple of actors of the movie and celebrities who had attended considered one of these exhibits posted footage from the theatre. They confirmed that masking and bodily distancing norms and the 50% seating restrict have been flouted. While these ‘special shows’ have been overwhelmingly screened at single-screen theatres, the multiplexes and different theatres adopted the norms strictly.

Tiruppur Subramanian, president, Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association, mentioned, “We are adhering to the guidelines strictly. These are ‘special shows’ for the fans. And not more than one or two such shows would have been held. The multiplexes and other theatres in the city have strictly followed the guidelines.”

Cinema halls have been allowed to function with 100% seating capacity after actor Vijay reportedly met Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami. But the federal government reversed its resolution after the Centre insisted that the Disaster Management Act not be diluted. This dealt a blow to the makers of Master and theatre house owners because it was believed that the big-budget movie must undergo a monetary loss with a diminished seating capability.

The movie has been launched at near 800 theatres. Film trade sources expect the movie to change into successful.