The deadlock between theatre owners in Chengalpet and the "Theri" producer over profit-sharing issue will have much bigger consequence to the industry than expected as three forthcoming films will now not be released in that region.
Rajinikanth-starrer "Kabali" and Suriya's two films "24" and "Singam 3" aka "S3" will not make it to the theatres in the Chengalpet region, which generates one-third of collections for Tamil films.
"A group of people in Chengalpet are doing this expecting something. It's not like we haven't given them the film, but they haven't approached us. It's sad that when the film has released everywhere else, it isn't being screened in most screens in Chengalpet," the Times of India quotes "Theri" producer Kalaipuli S Dhanu as saying at a press meet.
It has to be noted that Kalaipuli S Dhanu has produced Rajinikanth's "Kabali" and it has not come as a surprise to see him sidelining the Chengalpet theatres for his next big release starring Rajinikanth. KE Gnanavel Raja of Studio Green is reportedly supporting the "Theri" producer by deciding not to release his "24" and "Singam 3" in this region.
T Siva, the secretary of the Tamil Film Producers Council, claimed at the press meet that they are planning to boycott the Chengalpet theatres with many producers agreeing to support their stand. In fact, the council is planning to find an alternative solution to the issue by releasing movies in marriage halls after taking necessary permission from the state government.
The region has about 60 theatres and the a majority of them have not screened "Theri," which was released on Thursday, 14 April. It has badly affected Vijay's film, which could have done a record-breaking collection on its first day. The industry estimates the movie to have suffered a loss of Rs. 5 crore on the release day.
However, trade experts feel that the theatre owners too have lost a golden opportunity to earn handsome money as the movies of A-list actors run into packed houses here at least in first few weekends.
