📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Michael Gäbler
Entertainment
Tamil Nadu Restores 6‑am Movie Showings for Diwali Under New Rules
✍️ Onmanorama
🗓 06 Nov 2026, 07:16 AM
👁 12
The Tamil Nadu government has reinstated 6‑am cinema screenings for the Diwali season, following the introduction of new cinema regulations that allow early morning showtimes.
Tamil Nadu has announced the revival of 6‑am cinema showings for the Diwali holidays, a move that comes after the state’s new cinema rules were introduced earlier this year. The updated regulations permit theatres to open earlier than previously allowed, enabling early‑morning screenings for the first time.
The decision is aimed at providing a special treat for cinephiles who wish to start their Diwali celebrations with a film. The government has stated that the new schedule will be available in selected multiplexes and single-screen theatres across the state.
Officials say the early showtimes will not affect the standard evening and late‑night schedules, and that the move is part of a broader effort to boost cinema attendance during the festive season. The revival of 6‑am screenings is expected to attract a new segment of moviegoers, including families and working professionals.
The policy change follows a nationwide push to modernise cinema operations and improve revenue streams for the industry. Tamil Nadu’s decision is seen as a positive step for the state’s film sector, which has faced challenges in recent years.
The decision is aimed at providing a special treat for cinephiles who wish to start their Diwali celebrations with a film. The government has stated that the new schedule will be available in selected multiplexes and single-screen theatres across the state.
Officials say the early showtimes will not affect the standard evening and late‑night schedules, and that the move is part of a broader effort to boost cinema attendance during the festive season. The revival of 6‑am screenings is expected to attract a new segment of moviegoers, including families and working professionals.
The policy change follows a nationwide push to modernise cinema operations and improve revenue streams for the industry. Tamil Nadu’s decision is seen as a positive step for the state’s film sector, which has faced challenges in recent years.