Alappuzha: With the film Exhibitors’ Federation still adamant on pinning down wide releasing, recognized by six organisations in the industry, film lovers are going to miss Onam releases in their cinemas nearby.
A crucial meeting which was held on Wednesday, failed to reach a consensus on the matter. As the last date of Onam releases falls on Friday, movie fans see slim chances of new films getting wide release.
Federation president P.V.Basheer Ahamed said the new movies to be distributed to B and C class cinemas would not be screened in cinemas affiliated to the federation. The federation was firm in its decision, he said. A section of people took a joint decision in favour of wide releasing at the meeting on Wednesday, without the approval of the federation. Exhibitors affiliated to the federation have unanimously decided to opt out of the movies which are set for wide releasing.
“The federation will allow wide releases only to cinemas which have been renovated and which enjoy centralized air conditioning. Otherwise, the release of all sub-standard films will adversely affect the prospects of cinemas affiliated to our organisation. Producers used to collect advance from members of the exhibitors' federation to make movies. So, we deserve to get the releases exclusively to our cinemas”, he claims.
The issue has once again hit the headlines after the federation scuttled the Government move to support wide releasing in 2012. Following this, the federation went on to allot wide releases only in five new cinemas in 2012, countering the decision of the committee appointed by the Government that 55 new cinemas were eligible for wide releases.
