Mollywood headed for crisis again; production, releasing to be stalled
- The decision to call off production work and release of movies was taken on Monday.
- The strike is likely to hit the production of 20 films.
FollowDays of crisis and uncertainty have come to haunt the Malayalam film industry once again. The organisations of producers and distributors have called for an indefinite strike from 16 December protesting the 'unilateral' decision by exhibitors to hike their share of theatre revenue.
The representatives of producers' association, distributors and exhibitors who met at Kochi on Monday to resolve the problems could not come to a consensus on sharing the theatre revenue leading to a stand off among them.
The differences among the players in the industry once again came to the fore when the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation unilaterally hiked its share of revenue from 40 % to 50%. Producers and distributers unanimously opposed the move and alleged that the exhibitors violated the terms and conditions and informed that they were calling off all production work and releasing after 16 December.
December is a peak season for the entertainment industry in Kerala, as people throng the theatre during Christmas holidays. As per current norm, 60 % of collection at the threatres is given to producers and distributors and 40 % goes to exhibitors.
The decision of producers and distributors is likely to hit the production of 15 movies and five films that are set for release in December. This includes Mohanlal's 'Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol', Mammootty's 'The Great Father', Dileep's 'Georgettan's Pooram', Dulquer Salmaan's 'Jomonte Suvisheshangal' and Prithviraj's 'Ezra'.
