Updated:
February 02, 2021 19:30 IST
As stand-off with producers/distributors continues, film exhibitors have come up with their own revenue sharing model which they claim is beneficial to both
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As stand-off with producers/distributors continues, film exhibitors have come up with their own revenue sharing model which they claim is beneficial to both
Even as the continued stand-off between exhibitors and producers/distributors over the issue of revenue sharing has led to non-screening of films despite the Centre easing all curbs, the Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation has recommended a new revenue sharing model based on the percentage system to resume screening of films in single-screen cinemas of all languages, including Kannada, Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu.
Mysore/Mysuru: Owners of the
single screen theatres have threatened to stop screening of movies across the State, in case film distributors and producers fail to agree to Tamil Nadu-based formulae on profit sharing, said R.R. Odugoudar, President, Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation.
Addressing a news conference at Pathrakartara Bhavan in city this morning, he said that the theatres have suffered huge loss due to closure of cinema halls for over seven to eight months due to COVID-19. After re-opening, people were not coming to cinemas out of fear. In 2004-05, there were 1,800 single screen movie halls in Karnataka, and now it has reduced to 589. On the other hand, the number of single screen theatres was increasing in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Recently, a meeting was held in which movie distributors agreed to implement the Tamil Nadu model on profit sharing but took a U-turn within two days saying that they would stick to weekly rental basis. Instead of
No film screening in Mysuru despite Centre easing restrictions
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Single-screen cinemas are reluctant to reopen over unresolved revenue sharing with producers/distributors
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Single-screen cinemas are reluctant to reopen over unresolved revenue sharing with producers/distributors
It’s official. There won’t be any screening of films at the single-screen cinemas in Mysuru city as they have continued to remain shut despite the Centre allowing 100 per cent capacity, easing all curbs that were prevalent since over 10 months post-COVID-19.
The reason: the impasse between exhibitors and producers/distributors over the sharing of revenue.
While the exhibitors are seeking weekly revenue sharing on percentage terms, the producers are insisting on fixed charges like it has been there for many years. They are not keen to make any change to the model though the exhibitors are citing loss and negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their earnings for seeking
Theatre numbers fall sharply in Karnataka
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Shantala theatre in Mysuru was shut down during the peak of COVID-19 crisis last year.
Is it the end of the road for many single-screen cinemas in the State with several hurdles continuing to remain?
In the last five years, the number of single-screen cinemas in the State came down to 589 from 638. The nearly 40 cinemas shut business unable to bear losses.
Shantala, a theatre in Mysuru, shut downduring the peak of COVID-19 pandemic last year.
“We have come to know that nearly 30 more theatres have surrendered their digital equipment to service providers telling that they are unable to reopen post-COVID-19. The number of theatres shutting down is on the rise, highlighting the difficulties faced by exhibitors,” said M.R. Rajaram, vice-president, Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation.
Theatres await clear guidelines on seating capacity and revised SOP
Despite the Union Ministry of Home Affairs easing curbs on the capacity of audience in cinemas, with continuous drop in COVID-19 cases in the country, film exhibitors are not prepared to reopen single-screen theatres as they await clear guidelines from the government on seating capacity and the revised SOP.
This means, the wait for film enthusiasts has become longer as the exhibitors want to assess the situation before throwing open theatres after nearly 10 months.
With most exhibitors suffering losses and unable to face further loss by running shows for a smaller audience, a clear picture on the reopening of theatres would emerge once the guidelines are out, mostly by February 1. Until then, many exhibitors have decided to wait and watch.