Tamil Nadu allows six daily shows for new Tamil films
Theatres can now hold up to six screenings per day for one week following a new government order.
The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced that cinemas across the state may host up to six daily screenings of new Tamil films for the first week after their release. According to reports from The Hindu and Urban Acres, the permitted window for these shows runs from 6 am until 2.30 am the following day.
The decision, directed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, follows requests from the Tamil Film Producers Council, the Tamil Film Active Producers Associations, and the Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association. Previously, the state allowed five shows for new releases during their first seven days, as well as on public holidays, Saturdays, Sundays, and local festival days.
The new order increases this limit to six shows for the initial week of a film's release. The same six-show maximum will also apply on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and local festival days. The News Mill reported that this measure was introduced ahead of the Diwali festival.
Under the Tamil Nadu Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1957, theatres have generally been restricted to four screenings a day under Rule 14A. The government intends to amend these regulation rules to implement the revised limit.
The announcement does not mandate that every cinema must run all six shows, noting that individual theatres must still manage schedules within the permitted hours and follow safety and licensing conditions. The government has not provided estimates regarding revenue impact or staffing requirements.