GUWAHATI: Major cinema halls across the city are at a risk of getting closed down. As per reports, Urvashi is already on the cusp of permanent closure. Along with that, Vandana, Meghdoot and Apsara are apparently following suit.
The Assam Cinema Hall Owners' Association (ACHOA) has claimed that 12 cinema halls in the city will closed down if the current situation persists.
The employees of the cinema halls are in a pitiable situation. The worst to be hit has been the salaried workers who have been pushed to the brink in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the cinema halls remain closed, the salaries have become irregular for them. A few of them received their remunerations in the beginning but now the workers have realised that it is no longer viable for the owners to pay them.
"The situation is very bad, we don't get our salaries. How will the owner pay since they themselves have no money?" said Muktar Ahmed, who is the manager of Gold Cinema. He revealed that a lot of people associated in the trade at the staff level are finding it difficult to pay their rents. “Forget rent, some are not able to pay for their mobile recharge. Everyone’s economic situation is bad,” added Ahmed.
Many of them have left for their villages and will return post the reopening of the halls. A few have opted for other trades and small time jobs. G Plus spoke to the ticket collector of Gold Cinema at Narengi who has been compelled to work as a daily wage labourer for a meagre income.
However, he has no qualms with his proprietor. “How will they pay me? The hall is closed. I have stopped asking. I have started doing basic work. Luckily I am not married,” said Pritam Das. He revealed that those with family are facing worse conditions than him.
It has been 10 months since the halls have been closed. "The worst sufferer is the entertainment industry in the COVID-19 lockdown," said Rajeev Bora, General Secretary of ACHOA.
The owners have claimed that it has become extremely difficult for them to pay the employees. Anuradha Cinema hall had to send its employees back to their villages.
Another issue has been the fixed electricity charge which is the minimum charge that is to be paid for electricity. The operators have been levied an additional penalty for not using electricity in the lockdown.
"Our lines have been cut since we were unable to pay the electricity bills. We urge the government to give us an electricity re-imbursement," Bora added. He further alleged that APDCL has meted a step motherly treatment towards the cinema halls even after multiple requests.
The issue of content also looms large for these cinema halls. Over 30 Assamese movies which were set to be released in the coming months had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 lockdown. This has also hampered their options.
The cinema halls are now demanding an exit route from the government in the form of subsidy or a package. They are requesting a Rs 10 crore package to bail them out of the situation. "As of now, we can't claim that Apsara cinema hall has been closed. But, all of the halls are waiting for the package to restart their operation," said Chinmoy Sharma, proprietor of Anuradha Cinema hall.
The fraternity is now banking on the chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, to intervene. As per sources, the finance minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, is also set to meet the association to understand the situation.
