Theatre owners have choice in screening

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday ruled that theatre owners need not abide by the moratorium on the release of other language films as no order has been passed by the state government.
This ruling came after the government advocate informed the court that no order has been issued imposing a moratorium.
The court gave this ruling while hearing a petition of two theatre owners.It also issued notices to the state government, Federation of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, Karnataka Film Directors, Producers and Theatre Owners Association, the Kannada Rakshana Vedike and the city police.
Justice S Abdul Nazeer Sab passed this interim order on a petition by the owners of Cauvery and Vybhav theatres in the city who urged the court to quash an order imposing a moratorium on the release of other language movies in the state issued on September 3.
The petitioners contended that they have obtained licence to exhibit cinema shows in their theatres from the government, hence they be allowed to carry on lawful business.
They have also told the court that Kannada Rakshana Vedike, film chamber of commerce and Kannada film producers association have increased their threat, obstructions and interferences by causing severe damage to the petitioners. Due to this act, state is losing huge revenue generated in the form of taxes, the petitioners added.
The theatre owners have contended that there are 120 theatres in the city and 1,100 in the state and not enough new Kannada movies are released to run the shows. If the non-Kannada films are released after seven weeks, there is no audience to see the movies because the availability of VCDs and DVDs.
The petitioners have asked the court to direct the city police to give protection to the theatres screening non-Kannada movies and also instruct the Kannada Rakshana Vedike not to cause any damage to the petitioners'' interest.