Ban on New Releases Lifted

May 5, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): On Tuesday, the producers and exhibitors of the Malayalam film industry decided to lift the ban on the release of new films in view of the possible losses it could incur.

Veteran director Sathyan Anthikadu expressed his happiness at the news. He stated that any delay in releasing new films would be a big blow to the industry. He hopes that there is peace in the industry and it prospers.

Katha Thudarum, Anthikadu’s 50th film, was delayed due to all that happened. The movie, which features Jayaram, will now have a May 7 release. Meanwhile, superstar Mohanlal’s Alexander the Great will grace screens on Wednesday and Mammootty’s Pokkiri Raja is set to release on Thursday.

M.A. Baby, the Culture Minister had a meeting with all the stakeholders of the industry on Sunday and decided to appoint a four-member government committee, where all of them could meet and give their problems in writing. The matters will be heard May 12.

The Kerala Film Producers’ Association decided on April 16 that no new Malayalam film would be allowed to start shooting as a protest against rising production costs and when a few new films slated for release this week did not hit screens, exhibitors threatened to close down theatres if the stalemate between the producers and AMMA was not resolved. This is when the state government decided to intervene.

The producers association is cut up with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and has demanded for a reduction in production costs but to no avail.

The new films release issue was settled at the meeting held on Tuesday. However, it could not come up with a solution for commencing of the shooting of new films. There are indications, though, that it would be sorted out at the next meeting.

- Sampurn Wire