Release of Tamil films to be halted for three months?
In an attempt to regulate the number of films releasing per week, Tamil Nadu Film Producers Council organized a meeting presided by Kalaipuli S Thanu yesterday and concluded that big budget films made with a production cost of Rs. 15 crores and above should release only on ten important festivals and public holidays.
The important days mentioned are January 1 (New Year), January 14 (Pongal), January 26 (Republic Day), April 14 (Tamil New Year), May 1st (May Day), August 15 (Independence Day), September 17, October 21, November 10 (Diwali) and December 25th (Christmas). While this decision will encourage producers who make films at small to mid-size ranged budgets, big budget producers are already worried since two or three big budget flicks releasing on the same day will be detrimental to their profits.
Another important development that has not gone down well the producers is Kalaipuli S Thanu’s suggestion to halt film releases for three months to combat piracy. The industry is aghast with the news. “Piracy will automatically stop when there’s no content. When we stop film releases, say for three months, the movie pirates will go out of business. We are looking into this option because film producers have suffered heavily in the last 24 months,” said Kalaipuli S Thanu to IANS.
“We haven’t finalised on the decision yet. A resolution has been passed but we’d like to discuss the idea with all the parties involved and only when found beneficial for everybody, will we implement it. It’s going to take some time. Since all films are being released digitally, it’s becoming easier for movie pirates to copy content. We need better digital projection measures. We will discuss with companies such as Qube and UFO to address this problem as well,” he added.
“If you stop release of films for three months, we are holding back about 36 films. Post the ban, these 36 films have to battle it out with more films for release, which looks impossible,” says a producer to IANS.
