Gorge till midnight, stop guzzling early

There is good news for movie-goers, too. The government has approved the revised and uniform timings for film shows. A ccording to a decision taken by the state administration on Tuesday, all movie theatres, including multiplexes, would now screen movies through four shows — 11:15 am (morning show), 2:30 pm (afternoon show), 6:15 pm (evening show) and 8:30 pm (night show).

However, if a film runs a longer time, theatre owners will be permitted to get half-an-hour to wrap up the movie by 11:30 pm. The new timings will come into effect from May 22 in the city.

Addressing newspersons after a meeting with representatives of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), State Home Minister V S Acharya said: “Film shows should end by 11 pm. If necessary, theatre owners will be permitted to screen movies till 11.30 pm.”

Many multiplexes in the city screen movies till 12.30 am, starting the night show at 10 pm. Also, some of them have five shows a day. The government’s rationale is that curtailing the movie timings would go a long way to protect late movie-goers from the depredations of criminal elements.

The government is, however, being mindful of the hunger pangs of late movie-goers. “Timing for hotels and restaurants have been extended to ensure that people get dinner and snacks after watching movies in the evening (night show),” Acharya said. Hotels and restaurants located near airports, railway stations and bus-stands are allowed to be open round the clock.

While that would be small mercy for Bangaloreans, what could dampen their spirits is that bar and pubs would serve alcohol to patrons till 30 minutes short of midnight.

Asked why the Government was against extending closure time for pubs and bars, Acharya said after the serial bomb blast in Bangalore in July last year, security was being tightened in the city. “We do not want to take any chance. So, we have decided not to extend the closing time for bars and pubs,” he stated.

For the KFCC there is a silver lining to the new timings for theatres. KFCC chairman Jayamala said the Government’s decision on the new timings and extension of time for hotels and restaurants to serve dinner will not only allow people enjoy nightlife, but help the ailing Kannda film industry to recover. She said all multiplexes should follow suit on the new uniform rules set by the Government. Jayamala said the new measures were being enforced in the interest of theatre owners and producers.
The Home Minister said the Government has decided to bring the sale and circulation of pirated film CDs, DVDs, audio cassettes under the Karnataka Goonda Act.

A bill to amend the Karnataka Goonda Act will be presented in the coming session of the State Legislature, the minister added.
DH News Service