Agencies

MAI has urged for an early decision to allow cinemas to open up which will help mobilization of resources in the film industry�s ecosystem and would lead to gradual resurrection.

The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) has expressed disappointment as cinemas and multiplexes continue to remain on the list of prohibited activities under Unlock 2.0 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

�As compared to unorganised retail shops that have opened up, multiplexes and cinema are part of the organised sector, playing hosts to �revenue paying� customers only and hence, in a better position to limit crowds unlike marketplaces and deploy all the mechanisms and guidelines for crowd control and social distancing,� MAI said in a statement on July 2.

The association also said the multiplex industry in India employs more than 200,000 people directly and that it is the backbone of the Indian film industry, accounting for nearly 60 percent of film business revenues.

�The livelihoods of more than a million people � right from spot boys to make-up artistes, musicians, designers, technicians and engineers to cinema.