The Mumbai terrorist attacks, which had still not been completely contained as of Friday afternoon, are also having an impact on the Hindi film industry which is based in the city.

Cinema halls in South Mumbai - including the Inox multiplex next to the Oberoi Trident hotel and single screens such as the Regal in Colaba - have remained closed since Wednesday night.

After a day without operations on Thursday, cinema halls in North Mumbai re-opened on Friday however exhibitors noted extremely low occupancy levels and a general lack of interest in going to the movies.

Of the three Hindi films scheduled for release this week, The President Is Coming, produced by Ramesh Sippy Entertainment, was postponed, while Mumbai Mantra released Sorry Bhai across Mumbai and the country on Friday.

UTV Motion Pictures released Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! across India but opted for a limited release on Friday, with plans to expand prints and screens by Saturday.

Vic Sarin's Partition, an India-themed international production, was the other release this week. Exhibitors confirmed that security has been increased.

Geographically, the majority of the Hindi film industry, including studios and company offices, are located in the north of Mumbai far away from the centre of the attacks.

Some film shoots have been suspended - especially films scheduled to shoot around South Mumbai. However work in the film and TV industry is limping back slowly.

Actor Amitabh Bachchan wrote on his blog: 'as the events of the terror attack unfolded in front of me I did something for the first time and one that I had hoped never ever to be in a situation to do. Before retiring for the night, I pulled out my licensed .32 revolver, loaded it and put it under my pillow. For a very disturbed sleep.'

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