JOIN USWhile film exhibitors in the city are in distress owing to ‘Aarakshan’ row, the shops renting DVDs are all smiles, making a quick buck.
As the screening of the movie was stalled at Lido and Sterling theatres in the city, demand for CDs and DVDs have shot up, sources told Deccan Herald.
The movie buffs who could not wait for long to watch it on big screen, have been eventually turning towards the rentals to satiate their curiosity. Though there are complaints about theatre prints (copy of the original), largely for frequent cuts, it’s not coming in the way of demand.
One such trader told Deccan Herald, whenever a movie hits screens the CDs will be supplied in a day or two. Initially, it will be theatre prints to meet the early demand, which will be later replaced by fine print. It’s happening irrespective of languages.
As ‘Aarakshan’ has stirred the hornet’s nest for the alleged derogatory remarks against SC, ST and OBCs for according reservation facility, it has definitely aroused curiosity among the movie goers.
Most of the curious customers include young and old alike, but youths form the chunk.
While some are satisfied with theatre print, others have booked in advance for fine quality.
Mysore City Film Exhibitors Association president Ajith Kumar who is also the owner of Lido theatre here, where the movie was released last Friday, exuded confidence of resuming the screening from August 19.
The film which was released across the nation including Lido and Sterling theatres was stopped midway during morning show, when a few among the audiences raised objection. Since then, the management of both the theatres have decided to wait for an amicable solution to continue with the show.
Interlocutor
Interestingly, a senior IAS officer having his roots in cultural capital Mysore is learnt to have been playing the role of interlocutor to solve the issue surrounding ‘Aarakshan’ in city.
The officer who exclusively watched the movie in a special screening was miffed at the action of the agitators in Mysore for stalling the movie, for no valid reason, according to him.
Sources told Deccan Herald, the officer virtually took those in the lead of the protest to task.
Bahujan Students Federation (BSF), a students wing of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has been staging protests since day one of the release, demanding ban on the screening.
Efforts made by police to solve the crisis by arranging special screening has also fallen on deaf ears.