West Bengal government allows theatres to reopen on 31 July at 50% capacity

The government of West Bengal has allowed cinema halls to reopen after three months with 50% seating capacity from tomorrow, 31 July, with COVID-19 protocols and pandemic-appropriate behaviour.

Cinema halls in Bengal were shut in April when the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was ravaging the state.

While the government has extended the other lockdown restrictions till 15 August, some curbs have been relaxed.

Political, social, cultural, academic and entertainment-related gatherings will continue to be prohibited in the state.

Producers and filmmakers expressed relief at the announcement as many films are awaiting theatrical release.

Last month, SVF Entertainment had announced the tentative theatrical release dates for five of its upcoming films — Birsa Dasgupta’s Psycho, the Dev Adhikari-starrer Golondaaj, Mainak Bhaumik’s Ekannoborti, and Srijit Mukherji’s Kakababur Protyaborton and X=Prem.

Of these, Psycho, starring Anirban Bhattacharya, Anirban Chakrabarti and Chandreyee Ghosh, is slated for release on 13 August.