Tamil Nadu govt allows six shows a day for new Tamil films

The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday, November 3, permitted theatres across the state to screen up to six shows a day for newly released Tamil films during their first week. Early morning screenings of new releases from 6 am have been reinstated in the state after a three year gap.

With the government’s amendment of the Tamil Nadu Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1957, theatres can now schedule up to six shows a day, with screenings permitted between 6 am and 2.30 am the next day. The permission will apply during the first seven days from the release and on local festival days, public holidays, and weekends.

The decision was taken following multiple representations from various film industry associations, including the Tamil Film Active Producers Association, the Tamil Film Producers Council, and the Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association.

After the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government assumed office, it had granted theatres permission to screen newly released Tamil films for five shows a day during their first week and on weekends, public holidays, and local festival days. However, under that arrangement, exhibitors had to obtain a separate government order to screen the fifth show.

The government’s latest move reverses a decision taken by the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in 2023, when early morning screenings were discontinued following the death of a fan while celebrating the release of actor Ajith Kumar’s film Thunivu.

On January 11, 2023, Bharath Kumar, a 19-year-old, who was a final year student at a private arts college in Thoraipanmam and a part time food delivery agent, died after falling from a moving truck while participating in celebrations in Chennai. He was reportedly associated with a group of fans travelling in a truck near Rohini Silver Screens in Koyambedu when he fell and sustained injuries. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died. 

Following the incident, the then DMK government cited law and order and public safety concerns and stopped early morning screenings.

Welcoming the government's latest decision, the Tamil Nadu Active Film Producers Association said the absence of early morning screenings in the state had put Tamil films at a disadvantage compared to other markets.

“Before the show begins in Tamil Nadu at 9 am, the narrative on the film would have been set by the audience and critics, who have seen the film in either neighbouring states or overseas at 6 am. This announcement now levels the playing field. We thank the Chief Minister because movies can now be screened across the world at the same time,” the association said.