Madras High Court Refers Leo’s Special Screening Decision to Tamil Nadu Government

In a recent development, the Madras High Court, presided over by Justice Anita Sumanth, has chosen to delegate the decision regarding Leo’s special screening to the Tamil Nadu government. This decision comes in the wake of an ongoing dispute concerning the screening timings of the highly anticipated movie. The court’s directive to reconsider the allowance of shows from 7 AM, from October 19 to October 24, emphasizes the need for collaboration between the film industry stakeholders and the state authorities.

The legal tussle ensued after the producers of Leo petitioned the court to reconsider a previous government order that restricted the film from hosting special shows. The Madras High Court refrained from making a decision on the 4 a.m. show, citing the unchallenged nature of the relevant government order. Industry sources indicate that the producer of Leo and representatives of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association have been instructed to attend discussions with TN government officials at 4 PM today.

Reports reveal that Leo’s runtime is estimated to be 2 hours and 44 minutes, with additional considerations for intervals, cleaning time, and mandatory gaps between shows. The cumulative time required for five shows totals 18 hours and 45 minutes, while the prevailing government order permits screenings only from 9 AM. to 1:30 AM., amounting to 16 hours and 30 minutes. Unlike Tamil Nadu, neighbouring states such as Kerala and Karnataka have allowed 4 AM. shows due to the significant demand for the movie’s release.

#Leo TN show timing update :
The producer of #Leo @7screenstudio as well as representatives of Tamil Nadu theatre owners association are directed to appear before the TN Government officials for talks at 4 pm this evening.

— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) October 17, 2023

As the fate of Leo’s special screenings hangs in the balance, the film’s bookings have soared to unprecedented levels. The fervour surrounding the movie’s impending release is not only evident in domestic centres but also international markets. Industry insiders anticipate a massive box office collection on the opening day, owing to the unprecedented anticipation for the film.

Director Lokesh Kanagaraj, in a recent interview, urged audiences to approach the movie with an open mind, emphasizing the efforts of the 3000-strong crew behind the captivating first 10 minutes of the film. With a star-studded cast featuring Thalapathy Vijay, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, and more, Leo is poised to hit theatres on October 19th, promising an enthralling cinematic experience for audiences worldwide.

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