KATHMANDU, Feb 9: Gopi Krishna cinema hall is set to be closed from February 13. Gopi Krishna Movies Pvt Ltd issued a statement on Friday announcing the closure of the hall.

Managing Director Niraj Paudel said that the decision to shut down the hall was taken due to the increasing losses since the Covid-19 pandemic and the existing tax system of the state.

This hall, which was established 28 years ago, is a hall with a history of Nepali film screenings. Established by senior filmmaker Uddhav Paudel, the main structure of this hall was demolished after the Covid-19 lockdown. Out of the total seven halls, only two auditoriums remained. A decision has been taken to close the remaining two halls.

Initially, Gopi Krishna had an audience capacity of more than 1800. Managing director Niraj Paudel remembers that even on days when films are not shown, the occupancy is 60 percent. He remembers that the Bollywood film 'Raja Hindustani' ran full house for a month. When 'Baahubali 2' was released, all seven houses were full.

Last month, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City demanded tax payments. Metropolitan officials visited the hall, urging prompt tax settlement within a week. The closure of theaters nationwide last Monday, following a call from the Film Associations of Nepal, reflected dissatisfaction with local taxes and fees imposed by the Film Development Board.

According to the Film Associations of Nepal, the country has 450 theaters, but now only 150 halls are in operation.

 
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