BY SACNILK

Actor Anil Kapoor, who has projects across genres lined up in 2021, hopes the year ahead is good for all, including the film fraternity. The actor recently appeared in the Netflix movie "AK Vs AK" and garnering good responses and reviews for his role in the movie which also stars Anurag Kashyap.## Talking about the response to the Vikramaditya Motwane directorial, Kapoor told IANS, "When people like your film and your performance, you feel good. So, I am glad that people liked the film".## AK Vs AK was one of the many films released directly on the OTT platform in 2020 as theaters were closed due to the covid-19 pandemic. And now, as the industry gradually opening up, Anil Kapoor is hopeful that people will throng to cinemas to watch movies. ## "There are few films that are made for the big screen only. There are a few films of mine that are going to be released this year, so I hope audiences watch those films in theatres. I am sure about that because people are eager to watch films in theatres. There are few films that give you the same joy on the big screen and on OTT platforms, and 'AK Vs AK' is one of those films", the Malang actor said. ## "Now that vaccine has also been approved by the government, so I pray that theatres will reopen with the same capacity as they used to. I hope this year people watch films in theatres. I have a positive approach to life and, God willing, everything will be fine. I definitely feel 2021 will be a great year for everyone including the film fraternity", he added.## Kapoor will next be seen in Karan Johar's historical drama "Takht", then the comedy-drama "Jug Jugg Jeeyo" and Sandeep Vanga Reddy's crime drama "Animal".## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

As Tamil Nadu gives permission for 100% seating in theaters, Now Telugu Film Producers Council requests CMs of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for 100% Occupancy in cinemas. ## Here is the official letter of request by the Telugu Film Producers Council. ## After #TamilNadu, #TeluguFilmProducersCouncil requests CMs of #AndhraPradesh & #Telangana for allowing 100% occupancy in cinemas. pic.twitter.com/8EQOVblKsD— Sacnilk Entertainment (@SacnilkEntmt) January 5, 2021 ## Subject: Request to Govts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for an increase of occupancy of seats in Cinema Theaters/Multiplexes in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana from 50% to 100% - as done by Tamilnadu Government vide their G.O. (Ms) No. 001 dt. 04.01.2021- Reg. ## Full details: ## We here inform that the Governments of Government of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were kind enough to accord the permission up to 50% occupancy of seats in Cinema Theaters/Multiplexes duly following Standard Operating Procedure in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana vide G.O. R.T. No. 443 dated 05.10.2020 and G.O. Ms. No. 158 dated 23.11.2020 respectively. In this connection, we hereby inform that with the occupancy of up to 50% seats and the expenditure incurred for maintenance of theatres with Standard Operating Procedure, the Management of Theaters are not able to meet the necessary expenditure for maintenance of theaters and therefore incurring losses. ## Now, that the Government of Tamilnadu has issued orders vide G.O. (Ms) No. 001 dated 04.01.2021 increasing the seating capacity of Cinemas Theaters/Multiplexes from 50% to 100% in Tamilnadu by following the Standard Operating Procedure, taking into account the decrease in COVID-19 case day bu day and the problems faced by the Cinema Theatres/Multiplexes. ## We therefore, requested both Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and other concerned Hon'ble Ministers and Departments through our letters dated 04.01.2021 to issue necessary orders to increase the occupation of Cinema Theaters from 50% to 100% duly following Standard Operating Procedure in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana which will help the Management of Cinema Theatres/Multiplexes to meet the necessary expenditure for maintenance of Cinema Theaters/Multiplexes in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. ## This is signed by Hon. Secretary T. Prasanna Kumar and Mohan Vadlapatla ## In Telugu Krack, Red, Master, Alludu Adhurs will release in the coming days. If 100% seating will be allowed in cinemas, this gives benefit to all these films. ## For more and the latest news about Tollywood,stay tuned to us.

BY SACNILK

Filmmaker Abhishek Sharma, whose directorial, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari debuted in theaters on Diwali and became the first new movie release post the reopening of cinemas, has urged his fellow colleagues in the industry to release their movies in theaters to boost up the business of the exhibition industry. ## Abhishek Sharma, on taking the first move to release his film, said, "I am a very small artiste. I don't consider myself a flagbearer, but then there is a saying that who will bell the cat", stating that it's not like a pre-covid era where movies used to recover its budget within a week. Now, things have changed as might take a longer time to make a profit. ## "We are monitoring our revenues week by week, but the good thing is that people are coming to theatres to watch the film. People are coming to theatres because they have realized that things are getting normal and theatre administration are taking safety precautions while screening the film", he claimed.## Recently, Aamir Khan thronged to cinemas to watch Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari. He really liked the movie and urged people to watch it. Abhishek Sharma expressed his gratitude towards Aamir as he thinks that he was not here only to watch the movie but his action has supported the exhibition industry, which is really important at this moment. ## "I would like to urge my fellow colleagues in the film industry to release their respective films in theatres so that theatres get the content to run their business", Sharma added. ## Meanwhile, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari has had a slow start at the box office. Due to low footfalls, the movie could earn around Rs. 70 lakh on the first day and approx. Rs. 1.50 Crore in the short first week. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The government of India has allowed the reopening of cinemas from October 15 onwards with a maximum capacity of 50% in the areas outside the containment zones.## The entertainment industry came to a massive halt due to the covid-19 pandemic with the theaters are closed since the lockdown was imposed on March 25. ## The reopening of cinemas is permitted under the government of India's unlock 5 guidelines which will come effectively from October 1, shortly.## For Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes, a standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, shortly. ## MHA issues new guidelines for re-opening; gives flexibility to States/UTs for opening of schoolsCinemas/ theatres/multiplexes outside the containment zones, permitted to open with upto 50% of seating capacity from October 15(1/4)Details: https://t.co/0FsSFa5D74 pic.twitter.com/N0mE6DOVnS— PIB India (@PIB_India) September 30, 2020 ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Amid rising Covid-19 cases in the country, the government of India on Saturday (August 29) announced Unlock 4 guidelines. Under the government's new guidelines, more economic activities have been allowed to re-open, however, there is no respite for the theaters which will remain shut until September 30. ## Theaters or cinema halls have been closed even before the country went into lockdown on March 25. And with no relaxation even after almost 6 months, several Bollywood producers, actors along with the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) on Sunday (August 30) have urged the government of India to open the cinema halls as soon as possible. ## Here is what they have to say about #SupportMovieTheatres campaign - ## Due to zero revenues, we have already lost 12-15٪ of our screen count, be it single screens or independent mpxs. Imagine they may never lit up their screens again... timely & safely critical steps is the need of the hour ! #SupportMovieTheatres— Girish Johar (@girishjohar) August 30, 2020 ## #SupportMovieTheatres While the GOI has allowed the re-opening of almost every business, it has not allowed movie theaters to reopen..Theaters assure world-class safety protocols, if they are allowed to re-open.. Also, Govt should help in tax or charges exemption.. pic.twitter.com/NvFuPr0iKi— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) August 30, 2020 ## #AbBahautHuaDear @PrakashJavdekar - Please Help Open Cinema Halls#SupportMovieTheatres #SaveIndianCinemas@akshaykumar @BeingSalmanKhan @TheJohnAbraham @RanveerOfficial Friends, fans and followers, please do RT and Like. This one needs to reach as far as possible! pic.twitter.com/KI6OFL46sI— Joginder Tuteja (@Tutejajoginder) August 30, 2020 ## More than anyone else our actors who became “ STARS” & “SUPERSTARS” because of theaters need to speak up & urge the govt to reopen cinema halls. @akshaykumar @BeingSalmanKhan @RanveerOfficial @Varun_dvn @iTIGERSHROFF @iamsrk Exhibitors need your support.#SupportMovieTheatres https://t.co/qzcPkc6R2H— Sumit kadel (@SumitkadeI) August 30, 2020 ## The highest tax-paying Entertainment Industry is on the verge of collapse. Its high time to open Cinema Halls with requisite SOPs in place. Requesting the kind intervention of @PrakashJavdekar Ji & @kishanreddybjp Ji #SupportMovieTheatres #SaveCinema pic.twitter.com/5zhW4P3te5— Nusrat (@nusratchirps) August 30, 2020 ## The Cinema Industry is an inherent part of the country’s culture, but also an integral part of the economy, supporting millions of livelihoods #SupportMovieTheatres— Multiplex Association Of India (@MAofIndia) August 30, 2020 ## Requesting GOI to rethink about Opening of Cinema https://t.co/r3M9EL8Ufr many families are depending upon Cinema Hall.Requesting @PrakashJavdekar ji to rethink about the decision 🙏🏻#SupportMovieTheaters #SaveCinemas pic.twitter.com/2r4VpZN6k6— Dev (@idevadhikari) August 30, 2020 ## #SupportMovieTheatres#SaveCinemaAlmost all activities are gonna resume this September. Massive increase in outdoor public movement expected. Sunday full lockdown concept is also being stopped. Irrespective of #coronavirus, it's all being pushed towards normal by Centre & States pic.twitter.com/onLiuy8ft6— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) August 30, 2020 ## Over 20 lakh jobs at stake.Livelihood of thousands of families at risk.Investments worth thousands of crores under threat.Iconic places that gave you millions of beautiful memories potentially facing closure.If you care, please share.🙏#SupportMovieTheatres 5 pm today. pic.twitter.com/2FqFY4HPbt— Akshaye Rathi / अक्षय राठी (@akshayerathi) August 30, 2020 ## Salary Subsidy Scheme in UK, CARES Act 2020 in US, Canada Emergency Wage Service in Canada, govt supported to protect jobs. In India thousands & millions have lost jobs or pay cuts with no income of cinema hall owners. Halls are now closed for 6 months. #SupportMovieTheatres— Shibasish Sarkar (@Shibasishsarkar) August 30, 2020 ## Want to Clap, Whistle, Cheer, Dance in a movie theatre again. Aren’t you missing the entertainment while having a pop corn ? #SupportMovieTheatres— RAJ BANSAL (@rajbansal9) August 30, 2020 ## Of course movie theatres must be supported by the Government and I am sure they will. #SupportMovieTheatres https://t.co/3DMBGITx15— Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) August 30, 2020 ## Humble appeal to concerned authorities to re-open cinemas🙏. Livelihoods are at stake, help us survive.#SaveFilmIndustry#ReopenCinemas#SupportMovieTheatres@PMOIndia @HMOIndia @nsitharaman @MIB_India @_PVRCinemas @INOXMovies @IndiaCinepolis @CarnivalCin pic.twitter.com/w0rA52d531— Atul Mohan (@atulmohanhere) August 30, 2020 ## The whole exhibition industry is on the verge of collapsing. It’s high time that Cinemas are allowed to reopen with necessary SOP’s. Requesting all to join the movement #SaveCinema #SupportMovieTheatres pic.twitter.com/nwexQsmgef— Mahendra Soni (@iammony) August 30, 2020 ## It's time we reopened our cinemas with SOPs in place! #SupportMovieTheatres pic.twitter.com/4pQZ32FgS5— Shobu Yarlagadda (@Shobu_) August 30, 2020 ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The Multiplex Association of India disappointed as the cinemas and multiplexes continue to remain in prohibited activities under the central government's Unlock 2.0 guidelines despite knowing the fact that most of the things are being opened up. ## On Thursday, July 2, the association writes to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) seeking the re-opening of cinemas. It stated that the reopening of cinemas can set an example of how social distancing guidelines can be exercised in a planned manner. It also gave an example of some of the countries that have opened up cinemas with the implementation of the highest degree of safety protocols. ## The Association also highlights that the multiplexes provide more than 200000 employment directly. Being the backbone of the film industry and generates 60% of revenues of the film business, the Association stressed out how the lockdown has brought the industry at a standstill with losses mounting every passing day. ## While the uncertainty over re-opening of cinemas remains to continue, the Association believes that even the theaters re-open now, it may take 3-6 months before things return anywhere close to normalcy. However, the Association believes that with the support of the government, they will be able to overcome all the challenges cinemas facing right now. ## Read the full statement below - ## IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT... Multiplex Association of #India writes to Ministry of Home Affairs [#MHA]... OFFICIAL STATEMENT... pic.twitter.com/3z2jECSPPK— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 2, 2020 ## In a view of important development in the overseas entertainment industry, PVR cinemas have re-opened its 9 screen multiplex in Colombo in SriLanka today on July 2. Recently, the New Zealand government also allowed to re-open cinemas after the country became COVID-19 free. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the makers to take the OTT route as theaters are closed indefinitely due to the pandemic and the lockdown. However, makers' new approach of going for the digital release instead of the conventional theatrical release has sparked a controversy between the film producers and theater owners. ## Recently, when Shoojit Sircar's Gulabo Sitabo was announced for its digital premiere, the multiplex chain owners expressed their disappointment over the decision taken. Now, the director of the film Shoojit Sircar opened up about the issue and said that the theater owners are right in protesting but we have to move on as there is nothing personal.## In an interview with Firstpost, he said, “Their resentment is right, and that is why I never retaliated to what they felt. I just told them, ‘Yes, you have every right to protest. You have every right to feel uncomfortable because this film is releasing digitally. But there is nothing personal. You will find your way to run your business, and I will find a way to release my films.”## “The Producers’ Guild also sent a statement to theatre owners saying how will the producers move on. Unless they move on, and films get made, the films will not get projected in the theatre. But I will always say that both cinema halls and OTT are going to co-exist. Their resentment is absolutely right but this is not the end of the world. We have to move on,” he added. ## Gulabo Sitabo which stars Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana for the first time together is not the only movie that announced for the OTT release. Vidya Balan and Sanya Malhotra starrer 'Shakuntala Devi' too will release worldwide digitally. Both films will be released on Amazon Prime Video. ## Now, one of the much talked about films, Janhvi Kapoor starrer Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl too has taken the digital route as its distribution rights have been acquired by the streaming giant Netflix and it will release worldwide very soon.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The government of Tamil Nadu has brought some happiness to the owners of cinema halls after the government has issued an amendment which stated that theaters will be opened soon. However, there is no clear indication when they will be opened but the order says that as the lockdown is opening up in phase manner, the cinemas too will open shortly. ## It has been almost two and a half months since the theaters are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide lockdown. However, theaters were closed even before the nationwide lockdown was announced on March 25 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the COVID-19 infection was increasing. ## #CinemaTheatres in #TamilNadu to open soon? A TN govt order has brought some happiness to theatre owners. The order does not say when theatres will open but says as per phase by phase opening of lockdown, theatres too will open shortly and the owners should be prepared for it. pic.twitter.com/BbmWayuu3l— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) June 2, 2020 ## Yesterday, the chief minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray too had allowed resuming the shooting activities in Bollywood, TV shows, and others with stringent guidelines in which the safety of people must be adhered to. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Jaipur, April 29 (IANS) Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan who passed away on Wednesday had a strong love for the theatre world. He wanted to see new talents come out on the stage and theatre culture growing in India the same way as it has grown in developed countries. He also wanted folk tales from Rajasthan villages to be told in cities so that there could have been the right connections between rural and urban India.## During one of his scheduled visits to Jaipur way back in 2016, he had said, "Going to the theatre is not being looked down upon by anyone in other countries but in India, things need to be changed.## "Am glad to see scenario changing in India too. I feel happy to see people in Gujarat and Rajasthan visiting theatres regularly after taking out time from their busy schedules. The art and culture of different states are preserved via this medium and hence it should be promoted," Irrfan had said.## However, he was equally sad to see that the vast spread of folk tales and stories could not come out of Rajasthan villages to cities. According to him, this is the reason a real connect could not be established between rural and urban India which indirectly couldn't help theatres in this state to grow. Also, he felt sad to see that there are no more quality writers left in the industry. "There is a strong need of writers to pen interesting plays and I wish FTII starts thinking on this," he had said.## He strongly believed that true acting comes from the theatre.## Irrfan loved exploring wildlife. "I love getting lost in the thickness of jungles. Wildlife safari excites me, incites me and takes me back to the roots, You discover lot many newer perspectives of life during jungle walk," he said.## Being a family person, he loved spending quality time with his family in Jaipur. However, at times, he was engaged in different events on his short visit to his hometown, which did upset him sometimes but he still managed everything with an equal clan and was successful in keeping his family as well as his city folks happy.## He loved his family. Sadly, his mother Saeeda Begum passed away on Saturday and the actor paid his last tributes to his mother via video conferencing.## Irrfan's last film was "Angrezi Medium" which ran in theatres for just a day before cinema halls across India were shut due to the lockdown.## The movie is now available on Hotstar.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) Actor Rajeev Khandelwal will make his theatre debut in the play "Court Martial". He says essaying a character on stage is supremely challenging and it provides the ultimate validation for any actor.## "I think essaying a character on stage for the theatre is supremely challenging and provides the ultimate validation for any actor. I have always envied actors who can entertain the audience on stage. It was as good as one of the things in my 'to-do list'," Rajeev said.## Zee Theatre's teleplay "Court Martial" follows the unusual trial of a junior ranked army man convicted of murdering his senior officer. Rajeev plays the role of Bikash Roy, an extremely sharp defense lawyer who goes deep into the shocking truth behind the assault.## Talking about the play, the actor said: "'Court Martial' demanded an intensity that required me to work on myself and prep for the role. It is an intense and gripping play with a fabulously taut storytelling technique. This play is regarded as a classic in the world of theatre."## Written by Swadesh Deepak, the play also stars Govind Pandey, Bhagwan Tiwari, Saksham Dayma, and Swapnil Kotiwar.## Stay tuned...