The Tamil film industry is going through turbulent times of late. As it is, there have been no new film releases from March 1 after the TFPC called for a strike against digital serve providers for their exorbitant rates.
On Friday, theatre owners decided to go on strike and a total shutdown from March 16. Yet another disturbing news from TFPC is that there won’t be shooting of Tamil films, nor will be there any film related events like audio launch, promo meets and postproduction work from March 16.
The Tamil Nadu Film Exhibitors Association (TNFEA) has also taken a decision to go on an indefinite strike starting from March 16. According to a press release, the TNFEA held a meeting on recently and put forth a few demands urging the Tamil Nadu urging the government for removal of the 8% local body tax, allowing flexibility in reducing the number of seats in the auditorium, licence renewal period to be made from 3 years to 1 year and theatre maintenance charges to be revised to Rs 5 per ticket from the current Rs 1 per ticket etc.
Meanwhile, on Friday, TFPC issued a statement as to why they are going for a full shutdown from March 16. It reads, “Producers won’t accept VPF rates demanded by QUBE and UFO anymore, bring out flexible ticket pricing, to reduce online booking charges, computerized ticket booking facilities in all theatres with immediate effect, to regulate the business model to ensure that small films get enough screens to regulate the production cost.”
