Karan Johar slammed by netizens for asking the Delhi government to allow cinemas to reopen

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

KJo 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."

Karan took to his social media to post right after the Producers Guild of India also made the same request, stating that the cinemas provide a safe space for the viewers.

However, Johar has since been facing flak for the post with netizens slamming him saying,

"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."

While another tweet read,

"Cinemas can be watched on ott, but people will die when infection rates inflate and oxygen runs out."

Following a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the emergence of the Omicron variant, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Tuesday declared a yellow alert in the state which led to the shut down of schools, colleges, cinemas and gyms.

Meanwhile, the association also shared the statement that the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) had put up on social media earlier in the day.

A delegation of MAI members on Thursday met Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and requested his intervention in allowing cinema halls to reopen citing concerns over films opting for OTT releases over theatrical releases.