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In a significant development that could affect several South Indian films gearing up for release, including Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life, theatres in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are likely to face a complete shutdown starting June 1. Exhibitors are planning to take stringent steps against the current rental-based revenue model and have reportedly agreed to switch to a percentage-based model.
On Sunday, Cinema Express reported the exhibitors held the first joint meeting with their association concerned, and as many as 60 members, including biggies such as Dil Raju and Suresh Babu, were present on the occasion. During the discussion, they also decided to formally issue a request and a bandh notice. The meeting, which attracted attention due to the notable absence of several bigwigs, suggesting a disagreement over the proposal, apparently also saw exhibitors expressing dissatisfaction with the short window between a movie’s theatrical and OTT release. The members are reportedly planning to push for a longer window, at least for films that perform well in theatres.
The report further mentioned that the exhibitors would submit a formal representation to the Film Chamber soon, and further discussions would take place before the June 1 deadline. If the stakeholders decide to go ahead with the bandh, only multiplexes that are not affiliated with the association would continue operations.
Meanwhile, unlike last year when it witnessed multiple big hits such as Pushpa 2: The Rule, Kalki 2898 AD, Devara: Part 1, Hanu-Man, Tillu Square and Lucky Baskhar, the situation has been unfavourable for the Telugu industry so far this year. Among the major releases, only Sankranthiki Vasthunam and HIT: The Third Case managed to emerge as big hits, while Court ended up as a surprise blockbuster. Although Gowtam Tinnanuri’s Vijay Devarakonda-starrer Kingdom was supposed to hit the screens on May 30, its release was postponed recently to July, which now appears to have been a good move by its makers.
Nonetheless, if the exhibitors go ahead with the bandh, Thug Life would be the first to be affected as it releases on June 5, followed by Pawan Kalyan’s Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1, Nagarjuna and Dhanush’s Kuberaa and Vishnu Manchu’s Kannappa – which would hit the screens on June 12, 20, and 27, respectively – if the issues aren’t resolved by then.
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