Thursday, 22 July 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
Though the State Government has allowed the reopening of cinema halls and multiplexes with 50 per cent occupancy in Uttarakhand, moviegoers will have to wait at least two more weeks to catch a movie on the big screen. Since cinema halls were closed for over three months due to the Covid curfew, many people were eager to enjoy movies on the big screen after the government allowed their resumption.
A 24 year old Karnpur resident Shivraj Singh stated, “No matter how many shows and movies you binge watch at home, it cannot match the experience of watching movies in a movie theatre. That is why I was quite excited when the government permitted reopening of cinema halls. I tried to book tickets online for me and my friends on Wednesday but we were informed the theatre will not run any movie this month.” According to the operators of various cinema halls in Dehradun, they will not reopen their premises for the next two to three weeks as no new movie is releasing during this period.
“Most of the new movies have been released on OTT platforms during the Covid period and so far, no major movie is scheduled for release in theatres for at least the next two weeks. That is why it is not worth reopening theatres now as people would like to watch new and good movies rather than the old ones,” said Kulwant Singh from New Empire Cinema in Rajpur Road. The owner of Natraj Cinema, Bhim Munjal also asserted that it is quite unlikely cinema halls will operate for the next two to three weeks across the State since there is no new release from Mumbai. Moreover, PVR cinemas in Dehradun will also operate from the next month for the public with proper arrangements to minimise the risk of Covid contagion in the premises. “We want to provide a safe and secure environment to the audience after they return to experience movies on the big screens here. Considering this, we have decided to make arrangements this month for the same and will resume the operation from August,” said the manager of PVR cinemas, Manoj Bisht.
