Fire damages screen at Kerala theatre ahead of scheduled film releases

A fire broke out at Padma Theatre in Malappuram, Kerala, around 4:15 am on Friday, causing significant damage to Screen 2 of the multiplex. The theatre had been preparing for the release of two new films scheduled for the day, but the incident disrupted those plans.

The fire was confined to Screen 2, where it damaged the projection equipment and cinema screen. Firefighting teams responded to the incident and brought the blaze under control. No casualties were reported in the incident.

The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and investigations into the matter are underway. Theatre authorities have not yet announced when Screen 2 will be restored to operational status. The incident comes as a setback for the theatre's planned releases on Friday.