Will provide a solution soon, says Sanjay Raut on theatres reopening in Maharashtra

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader, editor of the party daily Saamna, and member of the Rajya Sabha, met Pen Movies head honcho Jayantilal Gada and representatives from a few multiplex chains and the Multiplex Association of India in connection with the question of cinema halls in Maharashtra being allowed to reopen after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sharing the outcome of the meeting, Gada’s publicist said in a statement, “During the discussion, Mr Raut assured his immediate support to the film industry and also conveyed to provide a solution soon.”

Along with Gada, the meeting was attended by Kamal Gianchandani, president of the Multiplex Association of India and CEO of PVR Pictures; Alok Tandon, CEO of Inox leisure Ltd; Devang Sampat, CEO of Cinepolis India; and Thomas Dsouza, senior vice-president, programming, PVR Cinemas.

Meanwhile, Aslam Shaikh, guardian minister for Mumbai city, told ETimes, an entertainment vertical of The Times of India newspaper's website, yesterday that theatres in Maharashtra will not open in October. “Reports about cinema halls reopening in October are not true," the Congress politician said. "Besides, COVID cases in Maharashtra are on the rise again, which is cause for concern for us. People's safety is first.”