Overview
- The notification mandates one Bengali-language screening per day between 3 pm and 9 pm on every screen in all cinema halls and multiplexes, totaling 365 annual shows per screen.
- The order took effect immediately on August 13 and will remain in force until further notice, with formal codification set to follow through amendments to the West Bengal Cinemas (Regulation of Public Exhibitions) Rules, 1956.
- Trade and technician associations praised the move as a landmark for regional cinema, while exhibitors cautioned that daily prime-time commitments could disrupt scheduling and reduce box-office flexibility.
- The directive responds to appeals from leading Tollywood figures who had alleged prime-time slot discrimination, including a recent clash that pushed a Bengali release into less favorable timings.
- Producers now face pressure to supply a steady pipeline of Bengali films throughout the year to meet the expanded screening quota and sustain audience interest.