Multiplexes and Producers Strike Out!

The conflict between the multiplexes, producers and distributors has gone from bad to worse. The latest is that the film fraternity has decided not to release any films at multiplexes until revenue sharing terms are sorted out. We spoke to producer and former director Mahesh Bhatt to get his take on the whole situation, which proves to be bad for the film industry as well as movie buffs!

Mahesh thinks the strike which is said to start on 5th April, is going to be very tough. He elaborates, “It’s going to be a very hard time for both sides as well as cinema lovers. And until the multiplexes meet the demands there will not be any releases.”

He adds, “The situation is a do or die for us, but we are not going to go back on our word. To make a film we break our heads for more than a year and face a lot of difficulties along the way. When we release the movie, the multiplexes make a lot of money. We aren’t asking for the entire revenue they generate, just a share in it.”

But, what if the multiplexes aren’t willing to meet the demands? Mahesh says, “It’s up to them. If they do not agree, there will be no releases. Instead, we will release our films in a single screen theater like we used to do before and can make that the father of multiplexes!”

Considering there are a lot of films going to be released next month, action needs to be taken fast. Mahesh says, “It is a tough time but we are not going to change our demands. If the multiplexes think they can survive without us then we can easily survive without them!”