KJo's request to reopen cinemas amid Covid surge irks many

Filmmaker slammed for asking the Delhi government to resume theatre screenings, despite the surge in Covid-19 cases

Bollywood director and producer Karan Johar, on Thursday, asked the Delhi government to allow cinemas to reopen, despite the surge in Covid-19 cases in the state.

Johar urged the government to permit the functioning of theatres in a social media post, that read, “We urge the Delhi Government to allow cinemas to operate. Cinemas are equipped with better ability to ensure a hygienic environment while maintaining social distancing norms as compared to other out-of-home settings.”

We urge the Delhi Government to allow cinemas to operate. Cinemas are equipped with better ability to ensure a hygienic environment while maintaining social distancing norms as compared to other out-of-home settings. @LtGovDelhi @ArvindKejriwal @OfficeOfDyCM #cinemasaresafe

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) December 30, 2021

This post came shortly after the Producers Guild of India also made the same request, stating that the cinemas provide a safe space for the viewers.

However, KJo has since been facing flak for the post with netizens slamming him saying, “Tweets like this make my decision so happy that I don't spend a single penny in cinema halls.”

Tweets like this make my decision so happy that I don't spend a single penny in Cinema Halls https://t.co/9uCkik2qVH

— Banana Shake (@shake_kiwi) December 31, 2021

One more shared, "Is he out of his mind? Someone, please tell him he's talking about humans. It's not just about cinemas being equipped. It's about those humans who will build a crowd, starting right from their houses to the cinemas, and beyond! Ah! Wish privileged people go a little broader."

Is he out of his mind?

Someone please tell him he's talking about humans. It's not just about cinemas being equipped. It's about those humans who will build a crowd, starting right from their houses to the cinemas, and beyond!

Ah! Wish privileged people go a little broader. https://t.co/W8cOIDmUxS

— Sakshi Singh Raghuvanshi (@Witness_Sakshi9) December 30, 2021

"Keep your disgusting needless request with u only as it's with high hunger for money and in return, you want to serve vulgarity to the public in the name of entertainment; We are not interested to put our health at risk for your shit garbage type of vulgarity in the garb of entertainment," said one more user. 

Keep ur disgusting needless request with u only as its with high hunger for money and in return you want to serve vulgarity to public in the name of entertainment;

We are not interested to put our health at risk for your shit garbage type of vulgarity in garb of entertainment https://t.co/B0VTMjncXt

— Jalpa Dave जय हिंद जय भारत 🇮🇳 (@jal_d24) December 31, 2021

Another shared, "Cinemas can be watched on OTT, but people will die when infection rates inflate and oxygen runs out. Be compassionate, I know it's hard but try not being an obnoxious narcissist or you risk looking ignorant and self-serving!"

Cinemas can be watched on ott, but people will die when infection rates inflate and oxygen runs out.
Be compassionate, i know it's hard but try not being an obnoxious narcissist or you risk looking ignorant and self-serving ! https://t.co/wyl02hWszW

— P (@PeriWrites94) December 30, 2021

This week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked chiefs of states to ramp up oxygen supplies and strengthen health infrastructure to contain a possible surge of Omicron cases ahead of the festive season, as gatherings in public spaces and markets grow in size.

Till Wednesday morning, India recorded 781 cases of the Omicron variant. Delhi recorded a spike of 73 patients taking the total number of cases to 238. The government has also approved Corbevax and Covovax Covid vaccines and anti-viral drug Molnupiravir for restricted use on adults in emergency situations.

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