Won't distribute movies because theatres are open; Kerala Film Distributors Association

Kerala Film Distributors Association announces that they won't distribute movies even though theatres are open. Siyad Koker, producer and president of Kerala Film Distributors Association on Friday announced that they will not distribute films to theatres once they open unless theatres pay off existing dues.

The decision by the association came after the Kerala government announced that theatres shall reopen with limited capacity and strict adherence to the covid protocol from January 5th.

On Friday Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced about the opening of movie theatres in the state from January 5. Theatres will be allowed to function with only half of their strengths and tickets for only half of the strength will be sold. Chief minister had also said that stringent action will be taken against Cinema theatres if they violate Covid protocol, the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile reports suggest that theatres might not become functional soon. Screening films with fifty percent viewers will cause huge economic loss to theatre owners, suggest reports.

"A decision on reopening theatres will be taken only after having a discussion between producers, distributors with theater owners," said Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK), the joint platform for film fraternity in Kerala.

"A discussion with producers and distributors will be held on Tuesday. A decision regarding reopening of theatres will be announced after it," informed theatre owners. They demands to avoid entertainment tax and fixed charge Tax related to film screening existing in the State.

It is doubtful whether producers are willing to release new films even if theatres are open. And the apprehension that families won't come out to watch films in big screen as new varient of Covid 19 has started spreading is pulling back theatre owners on reopening theatres.

Meanwhile, Multi plexes in cities and malls might begin film screening from Tuesday as they are not part of this theatre owners' organisation.

Theatres have been shut since March '20 due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.