By Renuka Dhakal
Kathmandu, Dec.23: Nepal Motion Picture Association, an umbrella organisation of hall operators, has announced to reopen cinema theatres from coming Friday even though the government has not yet given permission for their operation.
With the announcement to open the halls closed for nine months, everyone is excited and eager to know which movie will be screened in the halls from Friday (December 25).
According to Madhusudan Pradhan, Federation of Nepali Film Entrepreneurs, the same films which were lifted from the halls due to COVID-19 lockdown will be screened from Friday.
“Aama” directed by Dipendra K Khanal and “Senti Virus” directed by Ram Babu Gurung were being screened in the theatres when the government decided to shut down the halls fearing COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
Pradhan said that the hall operators would release the films that were lifted from the halls due to coronavirus as a symbol that cinema theatres have come into operation.
The cinema theatres, which have been closed for the past nine months, are being cleaned now.
Pradhan also said that the producers of films like “Lakka Jawan”, “Prem Geet 3”, “Kalapani” and “Chapali Height 3” among others were positive to release their films after the end of Nepali month of Poush (mid-January).
Following all the health protocols of the government, the hall operators are ready to operate the cinema theatres with 50 per cent occupancy, he said.
There are about 200 movie halls across the country, and the hall operators are now eagerly preparing to screen Nepali movies which were packed for months due to lockdown and other films as well.
Nepali film industry employs around 35,000 people directly while more than 100,000 people are dependent on the industry indirectly.
“With all the areas open, we have decided to bring the film sector, including halls into operation even if the government does not give permission to do so. We hope the people who were depending on this sector for their livelihood will get employment again gradually,” Pradhan said.