The Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) on Monday rubbished reports stating that the organisation had sought a ban on actor Fahadh Faasil due to his decision of releasing films on streaming platforms.
In a statement, the FEUOK said that they have no conflicts with the actor.
“It has been circulating in certain news channels that cinema halls, under the FEUOK association, have stopped screening movies in which Fahadh Faasil has acted. This news is baseless. The association has no conflicts with Fahadh Faasil or his movies. The association maintains a cordial relationship with everyone involved in the movie industry,” the statement said.
Talking to Silverscreen India, FEUOK president K Vijayakumar said, “The issue has now been solved. The organisation inquired about the three direct OTT releases from Fahadh Faasil and he has assured us that he will not be acting in any more OTT films.”
Several reports stated that the organisation had refused to screen Faasil’s upcoming release Malik in theatres for releasing his films directly on OTT platforms. So far, the actor has released three films exclusively on OTT platforms. While CU Soon and Joji premiered on Amazon Prime Video, Irul premiered on Netflix.
Malik, Fahadh’s third film with director Mahesh Narayanan, will release in theatres on May 13.
In February, the Kerala Film Chamber refused to screen Mohanlal‘s Drishyam 2 in theatres after the film released directly on Amazon Prime Video.
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In January, the Kerala government allowed theatres to operate with 50% seating capacity after staying closed for nine months due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, most of the theatres had waited for Vijay-starrer Master to release on January 13, and for relief measures to be announced, including waiving the Entertainment Tax and Fixed Electricity Charges. Cinema halls in Kerala reopened on January 13 after the government announced a relief package with limited timings from 9 am to 9 pm.
Meanwhile, films like Marakkar Arabikdalinte Simham, starring Mohanlal, Nivin Pauly’s Thuramukham, and Malik are slated to release on May 13 on the occasion of Eid.