The move by the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation (KFEF) to block the wide release of films scheduled for Feb. 9 may not succeed with multiplexes agreeing to screen the movies.

Theatres owned by the government will also not participate in the film boycott. “They (KFEF) can’t scare us. We will screen our movies in multiplexes and government-owned theatres. KFEF will be at the losing end if they go ahead with the boycott,” said Mr Joseph Mundadan, general secretary, Film Distributors Association.

He justified wide release as he saw it as the only solution to save the sinking Malayalam film industry. “If we want to compete with films from other languages, we have to come out with big budget movies. We have only 72 releasing theatres when Tamil or Telugu films release over 600 theatres. So wide release is the only solution to save the industry.”

Earlier, a joint meeting of AMMA, FEFKA, Film Distributors association, Film Producer’s Association, Film Chamber and Kerala Cine Exhibitor's Association, (KCEA) had decided to increase releasing centres from 72 to 102 . KCEA’s 56 theatres were also upgraded as release houses.

Producers association also lashed out at KFEF for their “arrogance.” “They have no right to oppose the wide release as they have been given six months to renovate the theatres to the standards set by the classification committee for releasing houses,” said Milan Jaleel, president, Kerala Film Producers Association.

However Liberty Basheer, KFEF president. said, “We will take a decision after the general body meeting on Jan. 23. There will not be any compromise on the issue.”