Kerala govt to open 100 new theatres in major cities in the state

Kerala State Film Development Corporation Chairman Lenin Rajendran confirmed the news during the inauguration of a twin theatre complex in Chittur, Palakkad.

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The Kerala government plans to open 100 modern cinema halls in the states in the coming months. The Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) chairperson Lenin Rajendran said that in addition to the 100 movie halls which will come up in important cities in the state, three movie houses will also be built in Ottapalam, according to a Manorama report.

Apart from this, the KSFDC has also set aside Rs 150 crore to upgrade the Chitranjali studios in Thiruvananthapuram to international standards. Further, Rs 100 crore will also reportedly be sought from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) for the project.

According to Lenin, the first phase of the project will see 30 theatres across the state being modernised, beginning from the month of May. Further e-ticketing system will also be introduced to all the theatres in the state within the next four months.

Speaking to the crowd gathered at the inauguration of KSFDC's recently renovated twin theatres in Chittur, Palakkad, Lenin said that the e-ticketing system will help producers know the exact collections their films have made. It will also make it easier for local bodies to collect taxes on sold tickets.

To set up more theatres, the KSFDC is planning on a public-private partnership, especially for non-resident Keralites who can collaborate with the government and set up theatres in the State, according to a TNIE report.

Lenin also told media persons gathered that the KSFDC was willing to construct more theatres if local bodies donated land. Twin theatres can be constructed on 50 cents and three theatre complexes need only 80 cents of land, he said. Lenin said that the move was to address the problem of rural theatres closing down as they were not getting new films.

The twin theatres which were inaugurated were reportedly renovated for a sum of Rs 4 crore.