Malayalam Film News

November has been a dark month for Mollywood

For the past two years, November has been a dark month for Mollywood, with theatre owners calling strikes. However, two actors whose fate with respect to their films' release in Kerala has coincidentally collided this time too are Vijay and Shah Rukh Khan.

While last year, their Diwali releases Velayudham and Ra.One enjoyed an extended run with theatre owners and distributors refusing to screen Malayalam releases, this year, the shutting down of A-class theatres might result in their films Thuppaki and Jab Tak Hai Jaan, both Diwali releases, from being screened at least till the strike is called off.

However, the fans association of both actors are optimistic that the strike would be over in time for the movies hit the theatres. In fact, they have already started preparations to celebrate the releases.

Hilal Shajahan, general secretary of All Kerala Vijay Fans Association, says, "We are confident good sense will prevail and theatre owners would release Thuppaki in time, especially because Vijay's films mean huge initials."

He says that the association is in touch with all the release centres where the film is scheduled to release and the feedback has been positive from them.

"The theatre owners are equally excited about the film. In Trivandrum, four theatres have been chosen to screen the film; a theatre owner from Kozhikode has informed us that in case the strike doesn't end by Diwali, he would withdraw from it to release the movie," says Hilal, refusing to reveal the name of the theatre.

Mujeeb S, president, All Kerala Shah Rukh Khan's Fans Association, says, "The distributors of Jab Tak Hai Jaan have told us that the film will be released in Kerala without a hitch. Malayali fans will not be deprived of the opportunity to be part of King Khan's film, which is also Yash Chopra's last."

While both fan clubs say they are hopeful that the issue would be sorted before Diwali but if it doesn't, they inform that they would protest.

Incidentally, the members of the associations have already started large-scale preparations for the festive releases. "Any movie of Ilayathalapathy is a celebration. We are planning a singarimelam on the release day of Vijay's film, besides a procession attended by all the members of the Trivandrum chapter. We have already placed orders for more than 500 flex boards," says Hilal.

For Shah Rukh Khan's fans in Kerala, Mujeeb says, "It's a special occasion because the actor has just completed 17 years in the industry and we had also gone for his birthday celebrations on November 2 in Mumbai. We want to retain the festive mood throughout the month."

Though fans and the audience have got their hopes high, the Kerala Film Exhibitors Association seems to be in no mood to call off the strike till their demands are met. While the initial demand was to hike the service charge from Rs 2 to Rs 7, after Monday's meeting, the theatre owners have decided to ask for only an increase of Rs 3, says the body's general secretary M C Gopi. "We had asked for a Rs 5 increase initially, taking into account Rs 2 that would be given to the producers. But since they have withdrawn their support, we are now pushing only for our share. Our officials would meet the minister K B Ganesh Kumar on Thursday to see if we can reach a mutual consensus on the matter," he says.

Gopi also adds that the body would continue the strike till the demands are met, even if it means a dull Diwali season at the theatres. While the official is confident about the decision, it remains to be seen how many other members would support this and forgo the huge initial collection that a Vijay and Shah Rukh movie brings in, if the strike continues after November 13.

NEWS : The Times Of India