May 8th Meeting On Percentage System, Namesake Or Decider?

The Percentage System demand has reached a key stage. Mythri representing the big producers is standing between the Percentage System and the Exhibitors.

As a result, the Exhibitors are after Mythri films. Jetlee faced a boycott by Asian and SVC Group Single Screens and Multiplexes on its release day. Film Chamber intervened and called for a meeting of all stakeholders on 8th of this month.

Asian Group agreed to soften its stand until then and started screening Jetlee but SVC is yet to start.

Now, what happens on 8th? The outcome of that meeting will decide how things will be for Peddi that is releasing on June 4th. Both sides are very stern and wants decision in their favor.

Producers can play their cards well and ask for a committee to decide on this matter to arrive at a consensus.

During Hari Hara Veera Mallu, the Chamber appointed a committee of Producers, Distributors, and Exhibitors to look into the matter. The Committee did not meet even once till date. In India, appointing a committee is the smoothest way to put a decision in backburner.

The Active Producers who could not curb big remunerations and wastages are always after the Exhibitors who are easy targets in the entire ecosystem. They simply say NO to 8 weeks OTT window or Percentage System because they feel theaters are surviving on their content.

They do not exhibit the same behavior towards the corporates i.e, Multiplexes because they are big people. Multiplexes have non-negotiable Percentage System and they can do nothing about it.

A producer speaking to Gulte.com said something about the theaters and it only reveals the mindset towards the Exhibitors.

“కష్టమైనా మేము 2-3 నెలలు సినిమాలు రిలీజ్ చెయ్యడం ఆపేస్తాం. వీళ్ళు (థియేటర్ ఓనర్స్) ఉండగలరా? మూడో నెలకు మా వల్ల కాదు సినిమాలు ఇవ్వండి అంటూ రాజీకి వస్తారు,” he said.

Producers say we are all family, only for namesake. The fact is that the theater owners are looked down.

But the fact is that no producer can make money and no hero can boast of his stardom only relying on Multiplex revenue. If the theaters are left on the ICU as they are now, 40% of the Single Screen theaters will be closed in next one year.

Producers should think twice if they can make films only for Multiplexes if the Single Screens do not exist.