The Tamil Nadu government which had previously restricted movie theaters in the state to operate only at 50% occupancy [till January 10, 2022] has announced more COVID-19 curbs today. Starting January 6, 2022 i.e. tomorrow, a state-wide night curfew will be implemented between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM on the weekdays. This means movie theaters will not be able to screen night, late night or early morning shows.

Movie Theaters in Tamil Nadu: 2020-2022 Timeline

• Mid-March 2020: Cinema halls shut-down statewide due to global pandemic.
• November 10, 2020: Movie theaters re-open at 50% occupancy after remaining closed for 8 months.
• December 31, 2020: TN Govt. allows 100% occupancy in movie theaters.
• January 5, 2021: Center orders TN Govt. to revoke 100% occupancy with immediate effect.
• February 1, 2021: TN Govt. brings back 100% seating capacity in theater halls.
• April 10, 2021: Surge in COVID-19 causes theaters to go back to 50% seating.
• April 26, 2021: Movie theaters statewide are completely shut for the second time.
• August 23, 2021: Theaters re-open with 50% occupancy after 4 months. 
• November 1, 2021: Movie Theaters allowed to function at 100% occupancy.  
• December 31, 2021: TN Govt orders 50% occupancy till January 10, 2022 due to Omicron scare.
• January 6, 2022: Movie theaters operating at 50% occupancy to shutdown between 10 PM - 5: 00 AM and on Sundays.
  

Additionally a complete lockdown has been ordered every Sunday beginning this week, which means cinema halls will not be open on the one day it is most thronged by crowds. Murmurs of a complete shut-down of movie theaters from January 6, 2022 are still doing the rounds, but the Tamil Nadu government has not made any explicit announcement on the same.

It is worth mentioning here that Ajith's upcoming movie Valimai, which is scheduled to hit theater screens on January 13, 2022 for Pongal has not officially announced postponing its release date.