Reopening of cinemas will revive local cinema industry – Hema Ji

By Thanu Hari

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9: After nearly a year of closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cinemas have gotten its green light to operate.

However, some are still worried about the virus, including TV host and actress Hemalata Gnanaprakasam, popularly known as Hema Ji.

“Even though I am quite happy on the reopening of cinemas, but I’m still worried because the pandemic is not over yet.

“Cinema industry as a whole is one of the most impacted industry due to Covid.

“This did not only effected the cinemas but others in the entertainment industry including arts, technical crew, directors, and the whole industry members and their family.

“The pandemic has destroyed many peoples dream. There are directors out there who have their movies in hand already but couldn’t release, not everyone affords to release their movies on OTT (over-the-top) platforms.

“ will definitely going to help all this people and I’m truly happy for them,” she told The Hindu Press.

Hema Ji also shared that: “Since pandemic started something that we always miss is stage performances because that’s where we can get engaged with our audiences closely.

“Every time when we go for live shows we witnessed public’s support. Especially during the meet and greet session after the show,” she added.

Hema Ji also cautioned Malaysians that the Covid-19 pandemic has not ended and advised everyone to strictly abide by the standard operating procedures (SOP)

“Please wear a mask, double masks if possible, practice physical distancing and frequent hand-washing.

“I wish all the people who were effected by this pandemic to stay strong and believe that things will get better soon,” Hema ji added.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that cinemas will be allowed to reopen to fully vaccinated individuals starting Thursday.

Ismail, however, said cinema halls could only operate at 50 per cent audience capacity.

He said this was part of the government’s decision to relax the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the creative industry, for states currently under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

He added that the decision would bring relief to more than a million creative industry workers and artistes in the country, as well as assisting more than 19,000 companies related to the creative industry.