M’town producers not in a hurry to release films

Kerala movie halls have been given the go-ahead to start screenings from October 25. And with nearly a 100 films — several waiting for more than a year — to hit the screens, it would seem like it is just the news everyone wants to hear, but things are not so simple. With ‘vaccinated-only’ restriction to ’50 per cent occupancy’ rule, producers, directors, theatre owners and even viewers have numerous concerns to be addressed, before they are ready to enjoy a film again in the cinemas.And they share with us some of their thoughts:
‘Nobody wants to release first’
M Renjith, president of the Kerala Film Producers’ Association, says that producers want to first observe the trend and then decide whether or not to release their movies right away. He explains, “We have planned some meetings with the government to discuss the withdrawal of entertainment tax and to table the demands of theatre owners. It should happen in a few days. October 25 is a Monday, and if at all any releases get planned they would be for October 28 or 29, by which time, we hope there is a little more clarity on everything.” Joju George's 'Star' is expected to release on October 29. What about a handful of big-budget films, including Marakkar: Arabikkadalinte Simham and Aaraattu, which have been waiting for more than a year for movie hall reopening? Renjith says, “The Marakkar team has already informed us that they will release only when the theatres are allowed to screen at their full strength. And Aarattu will release only after Marakkar.”
It’s a tough call to make, considering that one can’t predict whether the audience will turn up or not, says actor-producer Vijay Babu. “The show must go on, but having said that, it is understandably difficult for producers, particularly of big budget projects which have been awaiting release for a couple of years, to announce theatrical releases for their projects. Will audiences come to the cinema keeping in mind all the norms, will be a big concern. It is a tough call to make in these difficult times. For the next four to months, it will be a combination of theatre and OTT releases. Also, no one can be forced to release their projects unless things are back to a semblance of normalcy,” he observes.
The first film to announce its release date was the Indrajith-starrer Aaha, which is slated to be out on November 26. Director Bibin Paul Samuel feels movie buffs would want to go back to theatres, despite the pandemic scare. “It’s true that the family audience will be concerned. But, if a good film is out, people might reach theatres, just like how Vijay’s film Master had a house-full run in the previous re-opening. Our film is about the popular underdog sport of Kerala, tug-of-war, which has many fans. I feel these factors can interest the audience,” explains Bibin.
‘We have not received the waivers yet’
Movie halls were given the go-ahead to reopen after exhibitors raised the demand for months together. But, Liberty Basheer, who heads the Film Exhibitors’ Federation, says the reopening will happen on October 25 only if certain demands of the exhibitors are met by the government. He says, “As far as we are concerned, we had placed some demands before the government. We have not received the waivers that we had received in the first phase of the lockdown. We had received a 50 per cent reduction on electricity charges, which was stopped in June. We require the same for the following months.” Basheer adds, “We had received exemption from the entertainment tax till March 31, the tax since that period is due. But we are demanding a waiver on that, as also the property tax, which once only used to be around Rs 1,000, but now comes up to Rs 50,000 per theatre. It is only if these demands are met that theatres can reopen.”