Several prominent cinema halls in Tamil Nadu, including popular screens in Chennai, have commenced advance ticket sales for special early morning shows of the upcoming Vijay-starrer 'Jana Nayagan'. This move comes despite the state government not yet issuing the mandatory Government Order (GO) permitting such screenings, and the film itself awaiting censor certification.
Theaters Jump the Gun on Special Show Bookings
Major theaters like Rohini and Casino in Chennai have proactively opened their booking counters for shows scheduled on January 11 and 12. Rohini Silver Screens listed a 9 am show for January 12, while Casino advertised an even earlier 8:01 am show for January 11. The trend is not limited to the capital city; in Madurai, at least eight theaters have opened bookings for multiple 9 am shows on January 11.
Typically, the Tamil Nadu Home Department releases a GO a day before a major film's release. This order permits theaters to conduct five shows daily between 9 am and 2 am, instead of the standard four shows. The special fifth show, often scheduled for 9 am, is primarily intended for enthusiastic fans of leading stars.
Theater Owners Cite Legal Window, Await Formal GO
When questioned about the premature bookings, Rhevanth Charan, director of Rohini Silver Screens, clarified their stance. He stated that the GO essentially grants permission for an additional show within the legally allowed timeframe of 9 am to 2 am. "Legally, we can allow bookings between 9am to 2am any time. We only opened bookings for 9am shows now. Once the GO comes, we will adjust it with the subsequent shows," Charan explained.
Tirupur Subramanian, President of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association, suggested that some screens are acting in anticipation of the GO. He indicated that if the official order fails to materialize, theaters would likely cancel the late-night show to accommodate the morning screening. "In Tamil Nadu, the shows will begin only at 9am," he affirmed, referencing the current state regulations.
Early Show Restrictions: A Response to Past Tragedies
The context of early morning shows in Tamil Nadu has been shaped by a tragic incident. Special shows as early as 6 am, which are common in neighboring states like Kerala and Karnataka, were discontinued in Tamil Nadu after January 2023. This policy change followed the death of a young fan who fell from a moving vehicle while celebrating the release of actor Ajith's film 'Thunivu'. Since that incident, 9 am has been the earliest permitted showtime in the state.
The proactive move by theaters has caught the attention of the state administration. When contacted for comment on how theaters were opening special shows without a GO, M P Saminathan, the Minister for Information & Publicity, was unavailable. His Personal Assistant, who received the call, stated that he would inform the minister and respond later.
The situation presents a unique scenario where commercial anticipation for a major film release is running ahead of official regulatory clearances. The industry and fans now await the twin approvals: the censor certificate for the film and the crucial GO from the state government to legitimize the planned special shows.
