No new projects for Kerala film producers from April 16

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - With production cost of movies soaring up, no profits at the box office and AMMA not co-operating, the Kerala Film Producers’ Association Wednesday said that they will not produce any new films from Friday.

Speaking to IANS G. Suresh Kumar, general secretary of the association, said that last year we had two rounds of discussions with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) on the issue of rising production cost.

“The talks took place in April and November with AMMA last year. They said they will do it but did not sign the agreement. This sort of indiscipline in financial aspects cannot go any longer. So we have decided that not a single new film will begin from Friday,” said Kumar.

For a film to be produced in the state, it is the producers’ association that has to give a no objection certificate.

“Producers are going bust. Last year 78 films were made and a mere six made profit. How long can this sort of indiscipline go on? On the technical side, everyone wants their things to be perfect and they demand more and more. It seems they aren’t worried that with each demand the cost mounts. They have to be concerned about the producer,” said Kumar.

Malayalam films have a small market to recover the cost.

“Today a superstar’s film costs more than Rs 3.50 crore and the remuneration is one of the biggest expenses. I agree not all films will be successful, but costs can be brought down through an austerity drive and that is what we want,” said Kumar who has given quite a few hits and worked with superstars lke Mohanlal.

But from last year he has started working with new faces.

“My last year’s film ‘Neelatamara’, which was a remake of a yesteryear film, was made with new faces. It cost me above Rs.1 crore and I recovered my money. Including the salary of all the stars, the cost of my film was much less than the remuneration taken by a superstar,” said Kumar.

Another demand of the producers has been to see that there is a maximum limit to the length of raw film to be used, besides also a reduction in the number of crew from 150 to 80.

“No dates of talks with AMMA have been decided. We will decide on that at the appropriate time,” added Kumar.

This year so far 22 no objection certificates have been given and shooting for less than 10 films are currently on and the association will allow the existing films to finish shooting.