Chennai: Most theatres play national anthem

Chennai: With the Supreme Court recently making it optional for cinema halls to play the 52-second national anthem at the start of every show, a section of cinema halls in Chennai have halted its screening before the commencement of films. However, a majority of the theatres including movie halls in multiplexes continue to play the anthem.

The Supreme Court, on November 30, 2016, ordered all cinema halls to play the anthem before screening a film for the love of the motherland. The order evoked mixed reaction across the country. For the past few days, several theatres halted screening the anthem in Chennai. However, a majority of theatres continues to screen the anthem - ‘Jana Gana Mana’, which was penned by first Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1911.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Abirami Ramanathan, President of Multiplex Association, Tamil Nadu, said though the apex court made it optional for movie halls to play the anthem, a majority of the theatres are screening the anthem. The Association had not taken any decision regarding this.

After the Supreme Court made it mandatory for cinemas to play the national anthem at the beginning of film show and for people to stand up in respect, several cases were registered against the persons who failed to stand up during its screening and for disrespecting the anthem. Cases were also registered against them under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Minor skirmishes were also witnessed when it was played in theatres.

However, in January this year, the Supreme Court had modified its interim order dated November 30, 2016 and made it optional for cinema halls to play the anthem before every show. While delivering the verdict, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had clarified that it was not mandatory to play the anthem before screenings in cinemas. It left the choice of whether to play the anthem or not to the discretion of individual cinema hall owners, the bench added.