Leo Is Not Profitable For Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners, Claim Tirupur Subramaniam

Theatres Faces Profit Challenges With "Leo": Tirupur Subramaniam, President of the Theater Owners Association, has raised concerns over the profitability of theaters in Tamil Nadu following the release of "Leo," a Tamil-language action thriller directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring the iconic Thalapathy Vijay.

The film made its much-anticipated debut on October 19, with Telugu and Hindi-dubbed versions simultaneously hitting the screens. However, the journey to the movie's release was marred by several obstacles, including a dispute over revenue sharing.

Leo Release Puts Tamil Nadu Theatres' Profits At Risk

"Leo" was distributed in Tamil Nadu by Seven Screen Studio, which demanded an unprecedented 80 percent share of the film's revenue. In response, theatre owners across Chennai initially protested, refusing to screen the movie. Only after negotiations were they persuaded to showcase "Leo," ultimately bringing it to more than 850 screens throughout Tamil Nadu.

In a recent statement, Tirupur Subramaniam, the President of the Theatre Owners Association, expressed the industry's financial struggles in relation to "Leo." He emphasised that the film failed to generate profits for theatre owners due to the substantial revenue share demanded. Subramaniam noted, "Leo was not a profitable film for us. The reason is that they have bought share distribution, which is unprecedented in Tamil Nadu. Most theatre owners did not screen this film willingly."

Tirupur Subramaniam Advocates Fair Revenue-Sharing for Theatre Sustainability

He further explained how the excessive revenue-sharing model imposed a financial burden on theatres, regardless of the film's overall earnings. Subramaniam pointed out that if such high sharing percentages continue, theatre maintenance and operational costs cannot be covered effectively. Notably, the film was released in neighbouring Kerala with a 60 percent share, while Tamil Nadu theatres were burdened with an 80 percent share demand.

The situation highlights the challenges faced by theatre owners in the region and the need for a more equitable revenue-sharing model to ensure the sustainability of the industry. Subramaniam concluded by stating that the lack of alternative film options forced theatres to screen "Leo," highlighting the industry's concern regarding fair distribution practices.