Tamil Nadu lifts show limit to five daily for new films

The Tamil Nadu government has amended state cinema regulations to allow theatres to screen five shows per day for the first week of a new Tamil film's release. The order, issued on Monday, also permits five daily shows on all weekends, public holidays, and local festival days without requiring separate government permission.

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay approved the changes following a representation from film industry representatives on May 16. The decision amends the longstanding Tamil Nadu Cinemas Regulation Rules of 1957. Under the previous Rule 14A, theatres were restricted to four shows per day. A special fifth show was only allowed on local festival days or public holidays, and that required prior approval from the district collector or, in Chennai, the city's police commissioner.

The new directive streamlines the process. Theatre owners will no longer need to obtain individual permissions from licensing authorities to conduct five shows during the stipulated periods. According to the government's statement, this permission applies broadly to dubbed films, re-released films, children's films, and films screened in both digital and non-digital formats.