Following backlash from theatre owners, producers call for unity

Producers in the industry have decided to set up a committee to regulate film releases. Speaking to DT Next, member of Tamil Film Producers’ Council, G Dhananjayan said, “It is too late for 2D Entertaiment now to stop Ponmagal Vandhal from streaming on OTT platforms. In future, we are looking to create a joint-committee that allows small or mid-budget films to be released on OTT platforms while big-budget movies get a theatrical release first before going digital.Movies that have stars like Vijay Sethupathi or Jayam Ravi, are the ones that pull crowd to theatres. It’s important that that film fraternity focus on where the revenue comes from.”

Sources told DT Next that Vijay’s Master was initially planned to release on OTT platforms but the makers have decided to screen the film in theatres before going digital. Dhananjayan observed that with theatres shut for weeks, the list of unreleased films is climbing. “Assuming that they open in August or September, all these films will be queuing up to get released. It won’t affect theatre owners as they will have plenty of choices. However, producers will be at their mercy,” Dhananjayan said.