Vizianagaram, Aug 11 :-
Taking a serious view of the deaths caused by electrocution in two cinema theatres, the Minister for Panchayat Raj, Mr Botsa Satyanarayana, on Tuesday banned all theatres which were screening the film Maghadeera in Vizianagaram district.
Talking to media, the Minister said that the theatres which are screening the new films, should take precautionary measures for safety of film buffs.
He advised the film producers to look into safety aspects in the theatres before releasing their new movies to avert mishaps.
The Minister directed the officials to carry out district-wise inspections and initiate action wherever fire extinguishers and basic facilities to put out fire were not installed.
He warned that the government would examine all the facilities in cinema halls and take firm action on errant theatre managements, which are violating rules and regulations in the state.
Most moviegoers, he said would revisit theatres only if they got value for their money. They wouldn't mind paying a bit more if they were satisfied with the
facilities. “Theatres would have to upgrade if they want patronage and the new order stipulating prices to match facilities could provide an impetus,” he pointed out.
However, ‘Magadheera’ film producer Allu Arvind termed this as ‘unfortunate’ incident and said that banning film in district is not a right decision. “The government
wants to get political mileage on this issue,” he charged.
He said the government should appoint an experts committee to look into safety aspects and facilities in film theatres.
It may be recalled that five persons were killed and several others injured on Sunday in a stampede for tickets at a cinema hall in Salur, Vizianagaram district, which
is screening the Telugu film ‘Magadheera.’
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the Lakshmi and Sri Lakshmi theatre complexes owned by Mr Nageswara Rao in Salur, whose wife is a Congress councilor of Salur
municipality, was running without building plan approval and sanitary licence from the municipality. The government had suspended the theatre’s licence some time ago,
but the management reportedly obtained a High Court order to run the theatre. Its renewal application was also pending.
Botsa Satyanarayana ordered officials to stop playing Magadheera movie in Vijayanagaram District. The decision taken to stop accidents in theatres that prone to accidents with heavy crowds. As Magadheera is bringing many crowds, and to prevent any accidents, Botsa ordered.
On the other hand , Chiru and Ram Charan fans unhappy and accuses Govt for such decisions for political cause.Chiru fans president Swami Naidu says, Botsa might have taken this decision to promote Anjaneyulu movie where some Congress officials are sleeping partners. Sources say, Govt plan to put ban statewide.