DC says no to Kabali screenings at hotels

The luxury screening of superstar Rajinikanth’s movie Kabali, at five-star hotels in the city, has been cancelled as the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban District denied permission for the same.

Responding to the application by Lahari Recording Company on Wednesday, the authorities said in a letter that there was no provision in the existing law to allow screening of movies in five-star hotels.

The letter, copies of which were released to the media, said, “According to the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1964, and Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 2014, only those cinema theatres and multiplexes which have taken permission to build a theatre, obtained no objection certificates and a licence from deputy commissioner's office are allowed to screen movies.”

Lahari Recording Company and Rockline Ventures, distributors of the movie, along with event management company Rices Obliquity, had arranged for the luxury screenings of Kabali at JW Marriott, Lalit Ashok, Royal Orchid and Crowne Plaza in the city on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Learning about this through media reports, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) raised objections, saying that the screening was not in compliance with the law. They appealed to the DC to look into the matter and take necessary steps.

Tulsiram Naidu, also known as Lahari Velu, said that the DC had given verbal consent for the screening earlier. But when they submitted an application in writing on Wednesday, they were informed that permission could not be given.

“Since the release is only a day away, we do not have time to follow the process and obtain permission now,” he added. Several bookings had already been made on BookMyShow, with the Friday shows being nearly sold out. The process of refunding the tickets, which were priced between Rs 1,300 and Rs 1,400, has been initiated.

Not discouraged by the setback, Velu said, “In the future, we will definitely try to have such a screening again. We will ensure that we follow all procedures and rules.”  K V Chandrashekhar, former president of KFCC, expressed gratitude to the DC for making a decision based on law.

“There is no dispute between KFCC and the event organisers. In the future, if anyone wants to hold such screenings, they should get the required permission from the authorities,” he added.