After the guidelines for Unlock 4.0 were released recently, the multiplex and cinema hall owners felt discontent yet again as the theatres were not given a green signal to open after remaining shut for almost five months. The film industry, that has been waiting for the government to allow cinema halls to reopen so that films can start releasing is now starting to feel impatient as they feel that the longer they have to wait the tougher the battle will be for them.
Even the Gujarati film industry feels the same. Even though Gujarati films are yet to begin shooting after the lockdown, a few feel that it is about time that multiplexes with limited capacity are allowed to open and if not, the government should at least give a tentative timeline so that the industry can start preparing for future releases.

Talking about it, filmmaker Saandeep Patel says, “The entertainment industry, especially the film industry has been shut for more than five months now and there is still no clarity on when the multiplexes will be allowed to open. This uncertainty is making things difficult as we don’t know when our films will release. A large number of people depend on this industry and the longer it remains inactive the more difficult it will be for them to survive.”

The Love Ni Bhavai director adds, “The government should give us at least a tentative timeline when the multiplexes will be allowed to open so that the industry can prepare itself for the upcoming season. Looking at the current situation, even if the theatres open, the audience will not immediately start going in big numbers, it will take some time and we should be able to open theatres in such a manner so that things get normal and there are good footfalls by Diwali. Or else, we will lose out on the festive season which is when we do maximum business.”