Kerala Film exhibitors at loggerheads again

ALAPPUZHA: With film associations failing to reach a consensus on the Competition Commission of India order in favour of wide release of movies, the fate of Ramzan and Onam releases are uncertain.

A meeting which was called by the Film Chamber to resolve the issue failed to reach an agreement because the Kerala Cine Exhibitors’ Association representing the  B and C Class theatres and A-class theatre owners led by the Kerala Film Exhibitors’ Federation had different opinions.

The new twist in this long-standing issue, following representations by the Kerala Cine Exhibitors’ Association, has come because of the Competition Commission verdict which ruled against the practice of limiting movie releases to top theatres. Mr V. Mohanan, president of the association, said the federation was still adamant about its stand.

“If the situation continues,  Onam and Ramzan releases will get affected." Apart from the Competition Commission verdict, the Adoor panel report submitted last year had recommended wide release.

“But the government has not taken any step in this regard. Last year too, the federation took to the same tactics. Since we got a favorable verdict from the commission, the federation had to fall in line," he pointed out.

Federation president P. V. Basheer Ahamed was of the view that wide releases would be allowed in only theatres that had been renovated.

“The federation, which always took a position against wide release, would meet on Monday to discuss the matter and our stand will be made public later," he told DC.