Thackeray’s statement came in the context of the multi-agency investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and his media coverage, which was seen by some as a deliberate campaign to target Bollywood.
“Movements to end the film industry or move it elsewhere will never be tolerated,” Thackeray said in a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office quoted in a meeting with movie theater and multiplex theater owners.
Mumbai was not only the financial capital of the country, but also its entertainment capital, he said.
“Bollywood has a following around the world. The film industry generates enormous employment. In recent days, attempts have been made to smear the image of the film industry by certain quarters, which is painful,” he said.
The BJP government in Uttar Pradesh recently announced a plan to create a film city in that state to attract filmmakers.
Thackeray informed the owners of cinemas and multiplexes at the meeting that the state department of culture has prepared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding the reopening of movie theaters that have been closed for more than six months due to the pandemic. of coronavirus.
The decision to reopen the movie theaters will be made as soon as possible after the SOP is finalized, he said.
“The government is positive about it. The entertainment industry is a means to boost the state economy and the government is ready to restart it,” said the prime minister.
“In a movie theater, people are in a room for almost two hours and therefore we want to guarantee complete cleaning and disinfection, as well as physical distancing. It is necessary to guarantee that only 50% of the seats are occupied “, He said.
Culture Minister Amit Deshmukh said that viewer safety will be prioritized, although the reopening of movie theaters will boost the economy.
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