'Kotigobba 3' producer Soorappa Babu implores govt. to bring back night shows in cinema halls

While the Kannada Film Industry is currently rejoicing the return of 100% occupancy in cinema halls, many still assert that there's still room left for improvement. The recent releases of '

Salaga

' and '

Kotigobba 3

' have performed considerably well at the box office and have done wonders to beckon the audiences back to the big screens.

However, with curfew hours still (somewhat) being applicable to cinema halls, exhibitors and producers have expressed concerns regarding the lack of late night shows and the resulting losses. Voicing this concern is producer

Soorappa Babu

who asserts that allowing cinema halls to remain open midnight will only boost up the revenues of filmmakers. Through a video message, Soorappa Babu sent out a humble plea to the current Karnataka C.M. Basavaraj Bommai to allow for cinema halls to be open till midnight.


"This is my humble plea to the honorable chief minister that cinema halls in Karnataka be allowed to operate till midnight through the 9 p.m. shows (also known as Second Shows). The Maharashtra government has already released new guidelines to stretch the curfew hours for restuarants and cinema halls till 12 a.m. or midnight and I would request for the same to be applicable here in Karnataka. The Kannada Film Fraternity has already received immense support from the government so I would sincerely request for this plea to be addressed," said Soorappa Babu in his video message.


Since the 100% occupancy rule was brought back into effect (October 1st), the footfalls in cinema halls across the state have risen steeply, allowing exhibitors, especially multiplexes, to increase the number of shows per day. However, with the evening curfew still in place, the latest shows begin by 8:00 or 8:30 pm so as to conclude any screening before the govt. stipulated hours for closure. Prior to the pandemic, as everyone would already be aware, cinema halls were allowed to operate till past midnight. It would be interesting to see if the government heeds the request made by the industry.

'Kotigobba 3', on the other hand, has opened to positive reviews from both critics and the audiences and is now inching towards a box office "hit" status. Similarly, the Duniya Vijay directorial 'Salaga', produced by

Sreekanth K.P.

, has charmed everyone around for its gritty portrayal of the underworld milieu.