Exhibitors defy moratorium

Exhibitors defy moratorium
Deccan Herald

It took eight weeks for non-Kannada film exhibitors in Bangalore to defy the moratorium imposed by Kannada filmdom. Aishwarya Rai-starrer Bride and Prejudice hit the screen on Friday without a hitch.

Besides, Dhoom, released six weeks ago elsewhere, was screened in seven cinemas while Bride and Prejudice was shown in two theatres.

However, no untoward incident was reported. It is expected that both the movies will be screened in city theatres on Saturday also.

Kannada film producers were left with no choice but to hold a series of meetings to chalk out their next move. The producers seem to have softened their stand on the moratorium after the release of new movies. “The exhibitors will not screen the films from tomorrow. They (exhibitors) have given in writing not to screen both the movies till they are seven-week old,” Kannada Film Producers’ Association President Basant Kumar Patil said. The moratorium was defied despite Kannada organisations warning exhibitors of “dire” consequences.

In fact, the exhibitors’ similar plans to release new films in the past few weeks drew flak, owing to threats.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) President H D Gangaraj, however, said both movies would not be screened on Saturday and that the owners of the theatres where these films were screened had tendered an apology and assured him in writing that they would not defy the moratorium.

He said the KFCC council would contemplate disciplinary action against the theatre owners.

In North Karnataka, theatre owners affiliated to the Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation continued to defy the moratorium for the second week and screened Madhushi, (besides Bride and Prejudice ) which was released a week ago elsewhere in the country.

“It’s nothing new for theatres in North Karnataka. This will continue as usual hereafter, and there is no pressure on theatre owners in this part of the State,” Federation President R R Odugoudar said.

Theatres screening new films are not issuing tickets in advance because of the prevailing uncertainty. “We always want to screen the film. But we may be forced to stop it at the last minute. So it is decided not to take risk by issuing tickets in advance,” theatre owners said.

Meanwhile, movie-buffs in Bangalore heaved a sigh of relief with the release of Aishwarya Rai’s Bride and Prejudice in city theatres. Ever since the moratorium was imposed eight weeks ago, no non-Kannada movie was allowed to be exhibited in the city.