Kerala: No Christmas release in Malayalam due to tiff between Mollywood associations

For the entertainment industry, festive seasons are always the best time to release movies and with Christmas around the corner, the makers of many big-budget entertainers are waiting to set their cash registers ringing.

Dulquer Salmaan's Jomonte Suviseshangal, Mohanlal's Munthirivallikal Thalirkumbol, Prithviraj Sukumaran's Ezra and Jayasurya's Fukri are scheduled to lock horns against each other during this Christmas season.

However, the latest we hear from the industry is that these films may not be released this month due to the ongoing tiff between Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) and Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation (KFEF) over the sharing of theatre collection.

The KFEF wants half of the collection from the theatre owners that the distributors and the theatre owners say is unacceptable at any cost.

"FK EXCLUSIVE: There wont be any Malayalam Releases for Xmas due to ongoing issues betwen Producers & Exhibitors. Todays meeting between both Association have failed & STRIKE has been called by Exhibitors !! #JS #MVT #Ezra #Fukry wont rels for Xmas [sic]," industry news tracker Forumkeralam tweeted on the micro-blogging site.

If the rumours are to be believed, then December would become a dry month for Malayalam movies, while other language films will get a massive release in the state. Suriya's Singam 3 and Aamir Khan's Dangal are also slated to hit the screens this month, and these movies are expected to perform well without any competition from the regional films.

"Huge Advanatge now for #S3 & #Dangal If issues didnt get sorted out by next week both vl have huge rels in #Kerala especially #Singam3. As of now no issues for Other Language Movies !! [sic]," Forumkeralam further tweets.

International Business Times, India is yet to receive a confirmation on the news.