Liberty Basheer, President, Kerala Film Exhibitors’ Federation, said that the decision of the Central Government to open theaters after October 15 as part of Unlock 5 is not welcome. He made this clear in an interview with Mathrubhumi.com. Liberty Bashir said the theater could not be opened within the 50 percent seat limit without removing the GST, municipal tax, welfare fund, and flood cess.
All taxes must be temporarily removed if they are to be retained. For the past six months, theater owners have been paying between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 as a fixed charge for electricity.
I pay Rs 80,000 every month for my five-theater complex. 15,000 for another theater.
We will even consider opening a theater if these are removed. He clarified. He added that the decision was taken jointly by the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation, Kerala Film Distributors Association, and Fioc and that theaters would not be opened in Kerala till December.
