The ongoing crisis in Malayalam cinema industry might not see a closure anytime soon. In the latest, it is known that the Film Exhibitors’ Federation is planning to shut down over 350 A Class theatres in the state. No Malayalam films were released in theatres after December 16, and there are no new Tamil, Hindi releases in Kerala until Pongal (January 15).
The issues began after the Kerala Film Exhibitors’ Federation, an association of ‘A’ class theatre owners in the State, demanded a 50 percent revenue share as against the current revenue sharing ratio of 40 percent for exhibitors and 60 percent for producers.
On Tuesday, Liberty Basheer, the president of Kerala Film Exhibitors’ Federation met chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan who asked the film unions to resolve the crisis as early as possible.
At a meeting of film unions held in Palakkad on December 21, the Exhibitors’ Federation, had stood firm in their demand for 50 per cent share of ticket revenues. Although the minister asked the unions to solve the issue ahead of Christmas, one of the biggest seasons for the industry, the unions refused to yield.
Four big budget films which were scheduled to release on December 23, have been put on hold ever since the strike began. The films – Dulquer Salmaan’s Jomonte Suvisheshangal, Mohanlal’s Munthiri Vallikal Thalirkkumbol, director Siddique’s Fukri, and Prithviraj’s Ezra – have completed their censor process and are ready for theatrical release.
Veteran directors like Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Kamal have reacted strongly against the attitude of Exhibitors’ Federation. Theatres that refuse to screen films should be shut down for good, said Adoor, as quoted by Mathrubhumi.
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G Suresh Kumar, president of the Kerala Producers’ Association, told the Deccan Chronicle that the exhibitors’ demand was “unrealistic’”. He said, “This means the producer will get just half the revenue. We cannot agree [to] that as it does not benefit the producer, who funds the film facing many risks. That is why the association members unanimously decided to hold the release.”
Meanwhile, Liberty Basheer accused Suresh Kumar of conspiring to prolong the strike for the benefit of the Tamil film Bairavaa, in which Suresh’s daughter Keerthi is playing the female lead. In the present situation, the Tamil film will get 225 screens in the state, as against the mere 55 screens if the crisis is resolved.