Film release dispute solved

Malayalam cinema seems to be finally getting a respite. The infighting among the various theatre owners' associations like the Exhibitors' Federation about the number of release centres, have finally given up the dispute.

After state ministers M.A. Baby and Paloly Mohammed Kutty stepped in to resolve the dispute, the associations have agreed that producers and distributors will be free to release their movies in as many centres as they wish. This decision should come as a relief to the industry that currently releases a film at a maximum of 48 centres.

Other states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh distribute their films without any limits, with prints sometimes even exceeding 500.

With the new freedom, Malayalam films can be released in upto 100 centres from next season onwards. This should make cash returns easier, within a couple of weeks of release, also helping the industry to finalize box office positions and audience inflow within a week.

The new move will also help in controlling piracy.

With the installation of new satellite projection techniques, the new theatres that are converting into release centres will find it convenient to convert to release stations without having to worry about getting prints in time.