9 shows, none turns up at multiplex

Gaurav Kanthwal

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Zirakpur, November 3

The first day of the reopening of multiplexes in Mohali district witnessed nine shows at a Zirakpur-based multiplex but not a single viewer.

The Inox multiplex, near Zirakpur, remained empty throughout the day as no one stepped in to watch a movie on the first day of its reopening after the lockdown.

Officials said they had made all arrangements according to the guidelines and SOPs issued by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Nine shows were arranged for the public with 50 per cent seating capacity in each theatre.

A multiplex representative, Ravish, said: “Mostly, there were Punjabi movies, including the Carry on Jatta sequel, a crowd favourite, but people seem to be in wait-and-not watch mode. We are open from now onwards and hope that visitors will start turning up soon.”

Officials said the multiplex had a ticketless entry system in which one can book a ticket on the mobile phone and get the QR code scanned while entering the theatre. Masks have been made mandatory for every visitor and hand sanitiser is being provided by the management.

A representative of VR Punjab Mall, Rishab Malhotra, said it would take about a week for their multiplex to become functional.

Mohali Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan has allowed more activities in areas outside the containment zones from November 1 to November 30. Even though the Centre had allowed cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes to reopen across the country from October 15, the Punjab Government decided to wait for some more time.

The four multiplexes, PVR Centra, PVR City Centre, Fun Cinemas and Piccadily Square, in Chandigarh had also got a tepid response initially when these reopened on October 16.