Since cinema hall operations have got digitised with the emergence of multiplexes, cineplex owners have approached the Delhi Government to ease some of the operational norms including those of fire safety.
The current rules under the Cinematograph Act mandate the authorities to have operators seated permanently through the show in the Green Room from where the movies are played. The rules require the operators to be trained in fire fighting apart from being certified in handling electrical equipments, officials said.
Digital ageThe cineplex owners, sources said, have approached the government to waive off such rules as cinema operation in the modern multiplexes have become digital with age-old projectors – for which the film reels were required to be operated manually – making way for disc players.
“The theatre owners have argued that due to the existing rules they have to employ extra people while operations of all the screens at a multiplex could be managed even by an individual,” an official said.
While the request of the cineplex owners is being looked at by the Home and the Law Departments of the Delhi Government, sources said the government is unlikely to waive off such rules, especially when the city has witnessed the fatal fire incident in Uphaar cinema – though it started from the basement of the complex.
Published - October 08, 2014 10:40 am IST
