The Association of Multiplex Theatre Owners has decided to shun Fanaa, forcing the producers to release it only in single-screen theatres.
Mumbai: For the first time in Indian cinema history, exhibitors have collectively resolved to ban a film.
The Association of Multiplex Theatre Owners has decided to shun Fanaa, forcing the producers to release it only in single-screen theatres.
The spat between multiplex owners and Yash Raj Productions was provoked by the latter’s demand for a higher revenue share. According to industry practice, exhibitors pay 48 per cent of the revenue earned in the first week, 38 per cent in the second, and 30 in the third.
Yash Raj Productions, however, demanded 55, 50, and 45 per cent, respectively.
But multiplex owners rejected this to avert an increase in ticket prices. A meeting between the production company and the association was arranged on Monday to devise a compromise. It ended in deadlock.
Although Yash Raj Productions has said it is open to negotiation, no agreement was forged till Tuesday. So the offer is of no consequence as booking for the film opens on Wednesday.
Amod Mehra, trade analyst, believes the conflict will harm the industry. “We have no idea how much Fanaa will ultimately earn,” he said. “But going by our calculations, it looks like the production company will lose at least Rs5 crore in the first week. The loss will not affect Yash Raj Productions alone. Distributors and exhibitors will also be hit. And Aamir Khan fans will feel betrayed.”
Pankaj Jaisingh, distributor, Ashtavinayak Films, concurs, but says it was imperative for distributors and exhibitors to take a stand. “Major films such as Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Krrish and Kabul Express are coming up and we had to put a stop to the demands of the production companies,” he said.
Yash Raj Productions and Kunal Kohli, the director, issued a statement, saying, “We at Yash Raj Films would like to inform the public that we have not asked for any ticket hike from the multiplexes.
We have only asked the multiplexes to give us a better share for Fanaa. If they don’t, we are willing to go ahead with the old terms.”
Exhibitors such as Manmohan Shetty and Shyam Shroff declined to comment. Deepak Ashar, chairperson of the multiplex owners’ association, was unavailable for comment.
Meanwhile, Aamir Khan’s support for the Narmada Bachao Aandolan has jeopardised the film’s prospects in Gujarat. Under pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the film will not release in the state. Amit Thacker, BJYM president, said, “Come what may, the movie will not be released till Khan apologises to the people of Gujarat.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}