JOIN US The film producers have threatened to stop screening of movies throughout the state from January 1, till the issue is resolved.
The Kannada film industry is going through tough times due to numerous reasons including piracy, television and people’s preferences for other language movies. The film producers who are bearing the brunt of the ‘poor show’ want the theatre owners to enter into sharing percentage of the profit or the loss instead of the present rental system.
On the other hand, the exhibitors are not agreed to this new condition imposed by the film producers. Their argument is that they will not be partner to the loss of the movie.
According to the sources in the film industry, the percentage system was in place earlier. As the golden era of the film industry began and the films started making huge profits, the producers decided to scrap the percentage system and compelled the theatre owners to charge rent. Now that the film industry is facing loss, the producers are insisting on the old system to be brought back.
When contacted the office bearer of the Karnataka film producers’ association Sandesh Nagaraj said the theatre owners should understand the dark phase the Kannada film indsutry is going through and help minimise their risk.
KFCC to broker peace
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) is brokering peace between the two warring groups.“I only want the two factions to give up their differences and hold talks. In this regard I have requested both the groups to hold a meeting on November 16 and they have agreed for it. We all know the Karnataka film industry is passing through difficult phase and whatever can give life to this industry would be of great help,” said Jayamala, president of the KFCC.