Alone at the Box Office

It has been around 20 days since M’town witnessed a movie release due to a quarrel between Kerala Film Producer’s Association and Kerala Film Exhibitors’ Federation on the income share. Almost six films slated to hit the screens during Christmas season are still waiting for release. Amidst all these, a film is gearing up for release. Award-winning filmmaker Dr Biju’s Kaadu Pookkunna Neram with Indrajith and Rima Kallingal will become the first Malayalam film to be released this year.

Dr Biju says, “Yes, our film will be released on Friday. In fact, our initial decision was to chart it as a February release. It was then my producer suggested me to re-chart it for January itself.” Interestingly, Kaadu Pookkunna Neram is being bankrolled by Weekend Blockbusters, the producer of Mohanlal’s Munthirivallikal Thalirkumbol, which is still awaiting release.

“Our plan was to release my film in February, whereas Munthirivallikal… was supposed to reach theatres on Christmas. But the release faced unexpected delay. My movie has got 30 screens, including multiplexes and theatres which are not affiliated to the exhibitors’ federation. Another interesting fact is that some theatres under the federation have also expressed their desire to release the film,” says the director.

Biju opines that exhibitors’ decision to stall movie release is unnecessary. “They are demanding 50:50 share from the income of movies. I do not understand the reason for their demand. Actually, they are eligible to receive money as rent. What will be the situation when an auditorium owner demands 50 per cent share of the income from a drama troupe after staging a play? Can you think about the situation when a shop owner gives just half of the revenue to the manufacturer after selling their product? It is an absolutely unnecessary argument,” he says, adding “Recently, I went to a theatre affiliated to this exhibitors’ federation. I could not enjoy the film as it was stinking of urine. The condition was very pathetic. In the meantime they are demanding more share by comparing themselves with multiplexes!.”