Multiplexes start playing National Anthem, single screens await orders

Multiplexes start playing National Anthem, single screens await orders

Mangalore Today News Network

Dec 06, 2016: Supreme Court recently ordered making it mandatory for film theatres to play the National Anthem before screening movies, confusion has prevailed among the exhibitors here.  In all, there are 10 to 12 film theatres in Mangaluru, showing different language movies - mainly Kannada, followed by Tulu, Konkani, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. While the single screen theatres are yet to make a start, two of the three multiplexes have already implemented the order.

Shivashankar, manager at Jyothi theatre, told DH, "With the district magistrate (deputy commissioner) being the licensing authority, we, the exhibitors, are awaiting a notification, on keeping with the rule. On the other hand, with most of the theatres switching over to digital cinema screening technology against the earlier traditional screening of films with projectors, it would be more convenient if the National Anthem is included in the server of the service provider. We are still in a bind, as to how to go about it."

Multiplexes like PVR Cinemas at Forum Fiza Mall at Pandeshwar and Cinepolis at City Centre Mall on KS Rao Road, have quickly adapted to the change. Big Cinemas at Bharat Mall in Bejai has made all preparations by procuring the audio clip of the Anthem. However, they too are waiting for orders from competent authorities.

Slide, tricolour :  At PVR, where the Anthem is being played since a few days, a slide asking the audience to rise is screened before the Anthem is played, ahead of every show. This audio is of standard duration and people are also responding well, without any disturbances, the authorities said. The multiplex has a total of six screens with 25 to 30 shows screened per day.

Similar is the mood at Cinepolis, which was the first to abide by the order. The managers of the multiplex received a message from their higher-ups to implement it. "Except for exhibiting the tricolour on the screen in the backdrop of the song, we have not put up any notice board outside, yet the people were more than obliging," according to the theaters, who claim to exhibit five shows at each of the five screens totalling 25 shows per day.

Manager of Big Cinemas Sadashiva Putran said, "We have made all preparations, but are waiting for orders from government authorities, like the Department of Information and Public Relations and also the district administration to go ahead."

DK DC Dr K G Jagadeesha said he has not received any notification so far from the Home Ministry in this regard.  Shankar Pai, of New Chitra talkies - also the secretary of Mangalore Film Exhibitors’ Association - was, however, not available for comment.