In a major development, Ronnie Screwvala has declared war on multiplexes, similar to how the South film industry had gone on strike last year over the same issue.
In a 153-page informative note addre-ssed to P.K. Singh, Secretary of the Competition Commission Of India, Ronnie has asked them to intervene and stop major players like PVR Ltd, Inox Leisure Ltd, Cinepolis India Pvt. Ltd and Carnival Motion Pictures Pvt Ltd along with FICCI — Multiplex Association of India from charging the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) which amounts to Rs 20,000 per screen when a producer or a film studio releases their film through the digital service provider. In his note, Ronnie has also mentioned that the multiplexes should take care of the exhibition and the producers should not be charged as they would recover their investments (multiplexes had to change their systems to accommodate the digital prints) in five years.
If the Competition Commission has its way, Bollywood and other regional industries too can breathe a sigh of relief as it would bring down the releasing costs of films by a huge margin.
