Cinema theatres approach High Court

On Thursday, three well-known cinema theatres in Bangalore - Rex on Brigade Road, Navrang in Rajajinagar and Pradeep – challenged the notification issued by the District Magistrate of Bangalore restricting the number of shows in a cinema theatre to four in a day. They filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court against what they termed as 'illegal and arbitrary action of the State'.

The notification said that shows in cinema halls should be held after 10 a.m. and before 10 p.m., which means that not more than four shows could be held in a day. The State had cited Rule 41 (A) of the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rule 1971, to restrict the number of shows.

The Government also had made it mandatory for cinema halls to have a break of 30 minutes or more between each show, stating that there is a need to maintain this break between shows to ensure that the cinema halls are kept clean and tidy. The restrictions were imposed on the cinemas in the interest of public safety. The court has adjourned hearing of the case.