Chennai: Movie lovers in Tamil Nadu may not be able to watch new films in theatres this Diwali even after the state government gave a nod to open screens, as the stalemate between newly formed Tamil Films Active producers Association and Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association over the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) continues. Tamil Nadu government allowed theatres and multiplexes in the state to operate from 10th November, after eight-month lockdown, with 50% seating capacity and all COVID precautionary guidelines.
The Film producers threatened to stop new films releasing this Diwali if VPF is not borne by the theatre owners and film distributors. VPF fee is paid by Producers to Digital Service Providers (DSP) like Qube Cinema and UFO Moviez for digital projection services.
The producer's body headed by veteran director Bharathiraja in a statement said that "For more than 12 years film producers are paying theatre projector lease fee. We are ready for a one-time payment for DSPs for mastering, cloning and delivery services. But, we can't pay a theatre projector lease fee. More than 100 producers raised 5-point demands for theatre owners and DSPs and they didn't accept any of our demands so we will not release new films for this Diwali".
Tamil Films Active producers Association and Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association are holding discussions on this issue for the last two days and there is no agreement between the parties.
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Tamil Nadu theatre owners association president Tirupur Subramanian is confident that new films will be released in theatre for Diwali. Speaking to ETV Bharat, he said, "The producers are paying this amount directly to the DSPs for their movies and we don't know why they are asking us to pay that charges. If the latest films are not released during the Diwali holidays it will a huge loss for the theatre owners. A big multiplex in Chennai may collect 20 lakhs a day and a small theatre in a remote place in Tamil Nadu may collect 2 lakhs. There are 1,112 screens all over the state and we don't know figures and cannot calculate potential loss now. The talks are going on and I hope it will be resolved".
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Information and Publicity Minister Kadambur Raju has requested the producers to release new films on November 10th and urged them to not press any demands by blocking film releases.
Vijay's 'Master', Simbhu's 'Eeswaran', Dhanush starred 'Jagame Thandiram', Vikram's 'Cobra', Goutham Vasudev Menon's 'Dhuruva Natchthiram' are some of the big-ticket movies expected next year. Super Star Rajinikanth's 'Annathey' is also expected to hit screens next year.
With Covid fear, cash crunch and seating restrictions stars fear minimal footfall and hesitant about new releases. Also, audiences prefer OTT platforms over theatres for safety concerns. Trouble to new film releases will sound a death-knell to the theatres as wells as lakhs of employees depend on the entertainment industry in the state.
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