1 / 7Twin releases starring Tamil stars Vijay's "Master" – and Silmabarasan's "Eswaran" hit the big screens across multiplexes in Tamil Nadu, on the eve of Pongal, which saw audiences throng cinema screens in Chennai and other districts. Fans were excited to get a taste of movie theatres for the first time in 10 months.
2 / 7Cinemagoers gather outside a theatre to watch Tamil language movie 'Master' starring Vijay, in Madurai, on January 13. (Image: PTI)
3 / 7The first show at Rohini Theatre in Chennai began at 3 am. Off screen, larger-than-life cut-outs of actor Vijay adorned most theatres, many of which were treated to the customary pal-abhishegams (a ritualistic pouring of milk usually done to worship deities).
4 / 7Although the mandatory 50 percent seating rule is in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic, restriction did not deter fans from making a beeline in the hope of buying tickets for both films.
5 / 7Tamil Nadu allowed cinemas to begin with 100 percent seating capacity recently, but the Centre asked it to revert the decision in line with the Disaster Management Act. The state government has allowed multiplexes to play up to six shows per screen to compensate for the projected fall in box office collections.
6 / 7Single-screen theatres and multiplexes greeted hordes of fans who scrambled to make it to their seats on day one.
7 / 7Theatres and multiplexes have remained tight-lipped over revenue projections as multiplex owners are not happy about the decision to allow only 50 percent seating.
