The Tamil Nadu government issued an order on May 25 permitting all cinema halls across the state to screen five shows daily for first seven days of new film’s release, as well as on all weekends, public holidays, and local festival days.
Under Condition 14-A of the Form C licence prescribed in the Tamil Nadu Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1957, theatres in the state had been limited to four shows per day. A fifth show was allowed only on local festival days or public holidays, and only after receiving prior approval from the District Collector or the Commissioner of Police in Chennai. That rule remained in place for nearly seven decades.
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What led to the change
On May 16, representatives of the film industry met Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and submitted various requests. One of their key demands was to permit all theatres across Tamil Nadu to screen five shows per day for all films.
Following discussions with industry representatives, the state government amended the Tamil Nadu Cinema Theatres (Regulation) Rules. The order came through an official post on the Chief Minister’s X handle and confirmed by the Director of Information and Public Relations.
தமிழ்நாட்டிலுள்ள அனைத்து திரையரங்குகளில், புதிய தமிழ்த் திரைப்படங்கள் வெளியிடப்படும் நாளிலிருந்து ஏழு நாட்களுக்கு தினசரி ஜந்து காட்சிகள் திரையிடஅனுமதியளித்து⁰மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர்
திரு ச.ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் உத்தரவு#CMJosephVijay pic.twitter.com/RpUK6AL8kC— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 25, 2026
What the new rule says
Under the new rules, theatres can screen five shows on local festivals, public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays without needing separate government permission.
Earlier, producers and exhibitors had to approach licensing authorities, district collectors, or police officials to obtain approval for additional screenings. The new order removes much of that administrative process, making film scheduling easier for theatre owners and distributors.
The rule applies specifically to newly released Tamil films. The five-show window runs for seven consecutive days from the date of release.
Who benefits the most
The policy is likely to particularly benefit festive and holiday releases, where demand for tickets usually exceeds the number of available shows. The decision is also likely to benefit upcoming star-driven films that traditionally witness heavy advance bookings and packed theatres during the first week of release.
For smaller films, the practical impact may be limited. Theatres typically allocate five-show slots only when a film draws strong audience numbers. A film with low demand is unlikely to fill the additional show. The rule gives theatres the option, not an obligation.
A note on ticket prices
The government order does not address ticket pricing. Some observers have pointed out that more shows do not automatically mean more affordable tickets. Tamil Nadu already has a regulated ticket pricing structure, but premium surcharges during opening weeks remain a concern for audiences. The new policy makes no changes to that structure.
Broader context
Tamil Nadu has around 1,546 screens across the state and Pondicherry, according to available data. The Kollywood industry produces over 200 films a year. For producers investing large sums in big-ticket productions, the opening week box office is critical. A fifth daily show could add roughly 20 to 25 percent more capacity at multiplexes and single-screen theatres during peak demand days.
The amendment is the first significant revision to the 1957 screening rules in recent memory, and comes at a time when the Tamil film industry is competing with the growing dominance of OTT platforms for audience attention.