Centre Forms Prasoon Joshi-Led Group, Model Cinema Rules To Standardize Theatre Permissions

Government circulates Model State Cinema Regulations and sets up a study group under Prasoon Joshi to streamline theatre-permission rules and expand cinema-hall infrastructure in small towns and rural areas, with recommendations due in three months. Relevant to cinema-chain operators eyeing tier-2/3 growth.

— Source publishedMon, 29 Jun, 2026, 22:40 IST·First seen Mon, 29 Jun, 2026, 23:09 IST·Source NDTV Profit

What happened

Indian Film Industry · Centre forms study group under Prasoon Joshi and circulates Model State Cinema Regulations to standardize theatre-permission rules,

Key facts

  • three months

Why this matters

Track the Prasoon Joshi group's recommendations due in three months to time M&A or partnership moves into emerging small-town cinema markets ahead of regulatory clarity.

What to watch

  • Joshi group report contents and timeline adherence (3-month deadline)
  • Which states formally notify the Model Cinema Rules
  • Specifics on single-window/online licensing and fee reductions
  • Operator capex guidance and new screen announcements in tier-2/3
  • Any GST or entertainment-tax linkage in recommendations
  • Exhibition chains (PVR-Inox, Cinepolis, Miraj) recalibrate tier-2/3 site pipelines and signal expansion intent in earnings calls
  • Real estate/mall developers in smaller towns reprice anchor-tenant deals anticipating cinema demand
  • Trade bodies (MAI, FICCI media) lobby study group on licensing fees, GST, and online single-window timelines
  • Investors model lower per-screen permission cost into FY26-27 capex assumptions