The Maharashtra government has issued a directive to shut down cinema halls, malls and swimming pools in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nagpur and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities from midnight tonight till the end of the month. The decision follows the increasing number of coronavirus infections across India, including 17 in the state.
Malls, gyms, cinema halls, swimming pools to remain closed in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and Nagpur from 12 midnight: Maha CM in Assembly
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 13, 2020
For now, the shutdown will be in force till 31 March. The order leaves a lot of upcoming Hindi and Marathi films in the lurch. Earlier, the order said the ban would be in place 'until further orders'.
Maharashtra government declares coronavirus an epidemic in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and Nagpur
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 13, 2020
"पुढील आदेशापर्यंत मुंबई, नवी मुंबई, ठाणे, पुणे, पिंपरी चिंचवड आणि नागपूर या शहरांमधील जिम्स, चित्रपटगृहे, नाट्यगृहे, जलतरण तलाव तात्पुरत्या स्वरुपात आज मध्यरात्रीपासून बंद करण्याचा निर्णय सरकार घेत आहे.
— Office of Uddhav Thackeray (@OfficeofUT) March 13, 2020
-मुख्यमंत्री उद्धव बाळासाहेब ठाकरे pic.twitter.com/rU9vqEQC4h
As of Friday, Rohit Shetty's Sooryavanshi and Rohena Gera's Sir were among the films that have already delayed their release indefinitely.
The shutdown may also result in the upcoming Yash Raj Films production, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, being rescheduled. Directed by Dibakar Banerjee, the long-delayed Arjun Kapoor-Parineeti Chopra starrer was set to be released on 20 March.
In addition, the closure will affect the collections of this Friday's release, Homi Adajania's Angrezi Medium, and last week's Tiger Shroff starrer Baaghi 3.
There are also reports stating that Kabir Khan's 83, featuring Ranveer Singh, might be shifted from its scheduled release date of 10 April.