The decision was taken after KFPA threatened to ban theatres if they didn't take content (digital prints) from a provider approved by it.
The FEOUK has decided not to screen new Malayalam films in Kerala theatres from next week. (Supplied)
The Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEOUK) has decided not to screen new Malayalam films in Kerala theatres from next week, owing to the differences between the producers’ council and distributors’ association.
During a meeting held in Kochi on Friday, 16 February, the FEOUK took some stern decisions that are likely to affect the upcoming Malayalam films slated for release next week.
The decision will affect Manjummal Boys and Marivillin Gopurangal, which are slated for release on 22 and 23 February respectively.
However, this does not mean that the existing Malayalam films in theatres will not be screened.
Premalu, Bramayugam, Anweshippin Kandethum and other Malayalam movies will be screened in cinema halls.
Meanwhile, Mammootty’s Bramayugam earned over ₹7 crore worldwide. Over 100 extra shows were added on day 2.
Premalu, starring Naslen and Mamitha Baiju in the lead, collected over ₹20 crore worldwide.
Sources say the FEOUK is not happy with the OTT window period decided by film producers and OTT platforms.
According to FEOUK, the early release of Malayalam movies on OTT platforms is bringing huge losses to theatres in Kerala.
If a movie is premiered on OTT, theatres in Kerala under FEOUK must stop screening it. However, the film will be screened in multiplexes like PVR Inox and Cinepolis.
Earlier too, the OTT window period became a bone of contention between FEOUK and the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA), following which the Film Chamber of Commerce had to intervene.
The FEOUK further alleged that the OTT platforms are not considering the 42-day window period and premiering the ventures after 28 and 35 days of theatrical release.
Reports say Abraham Ozler, which was meant to premiere on a popular OTT platform, has extended its OTT release date because of the good footfalls in theatres.
The KFPA threatened to ban theatres if they didn’t take content from a provider approved by it. (Supplied)
Meanwhile, sources say complaints have been received against last-minute cancellations of movies in theatres following a tussle over providing content (digital prints) to exhibitors.
The KFPA has banned some newly-renovated theatres in Kerala saying that they won’t get films unless they take content (digital print of films) from the content provider platform approved by the council.
According to FEOUK, the producers’ association insisted that the newly-opened theatres must take content (digital prints) provided by their platform. This means that exhibitors should buy projectors that will suit the content provided by the KFPA.
In Kerala, UFO and Qube are the two major content providers.
Responding to this, FEOUK president K Vijayakumar said the KFPA has threatened that newly-renovated theatres must take content from them or face a ban.
“A theatre owner would have bought a projector of his choice and within his budget. But when producers threaten to ban them, the exhibitors do not have a choice but to buy a new projector. This will only bring huge losses to the theatre owners,” Vijayakumar told a media house.
The FEOUK opined that until a solution arrives, new Malayalam films won’t be screened in Kerala theatres.
A letter will be sent to all film associations in this regard.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the KFPA dismissed all the allegations made by the FEOUK. It said Manjummal Boys will be released in all theatres, as planned, on 22 February.
The The producers’ association added that new films won’t be given to theatres which don’t screen Manjummal Boys.
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