Recently, the Centre issued guidelines for the second edition of Unlock.  It exempted cinema halls from Unlock 2.0.  The Multiplex Association of India has expressed dissatisfaction over the exemption in a letter to the Union Home Ministry on Thursday.

"At a time when a significant part of the economy is being opened up, including domestic travel, offices, high street, markets, shopping complexes, etc., we feel dismayed that cinemas and multiplexes continue to remain in the list of prohibited activities.  It's highly demotivating and disheartening when cinemas and multiplexes can become an example of how social distancing guidelines and crowd control can best be best exercised in a safe and planned manner," the letter says.

Saying that the multiplex industry employs 2 lakh people directly, the letter adds that it's the backbone of the film industry, as it generates 60% of the revenue.

"Globally, countries like France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Austria, Hong Kong, UAE, US, etc. and more recently, Belgium and Malaysia have opened cinemas to the public.  They have done so by implementing the highest degree of safety protocols and have seen a warm response by audiences," the letter says.

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT... Multiplex Association of #India writes to Ministry of Home Affairs [#MHA]... OFFICIAL STATEMENT... pic.twitter.com/3z2jECSPPK

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 2, 2020