Covid-19: Theatres, multiplexes in Mangaluru continue to witness poor footfall

The state government has allowed cinema halls across Karnataka to operate with 100% occupancy for four weeks from Friday. However, the response from movie buffs going by the sale of tickets at counters was discouraging.

“We had taken all precautions, including usage of face masks, hand sanitiser among others. Provisions for booking tickets online too were introduced to promote social distancing. In spite of it, footfall was pretty less in all theatres,” sources told DH.

The multiplexes were screening films like ‘Mangalavara Rajaadina’, ‘Inspector Vikram’, ‘Monster Hunter’, ‘Zombie Reddy’, ‘30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela’ and ‘Shadow’. Recently, ‘Master’ movie had succeeded in getting 50 per cent seats filled up. “We are hopeful of halls being packed during weekends,” sources added.

Shantharam of Prabath, a single theatre in the city said, “’Shadow’ starring Vinod Prabhakar could not be screened at many theatres, including Prabhath, as the theatres had failed to receive key delivery message (KDM). The key delivery message was received at all the theatres after 11 am. Thus screening began at noon.

Some of those who had arrived to watch ‘Shadow’ ended up watching ‘Inspector Vikram’ at Suchitra Theatre,” he added. “The government has given permission to operate the theatres with full occupancy, which is a good move,” he said.

A group of youth, who had visited Prabath, were disappointed after noticing closed doors. “I am disappointed as there was no screening of 'Shadow',” a movie buff said.

“With the decline in Covid-19 cases, we are hopeful that people will return to theatres to watch movies in the coming days,” said a theatre owner.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V in a recent meeting had directed the owners to adhere to the Covid guidelines. Wearing of masks should be mandatory. The sanitisation should be take up frequently,'' he said.

The DC had asked theatres and multiplexes to make arrangement for digital payment while booking a ticket and purchasing eatables.