FEFKA decides not to release Malayalam films in PVR screens without settling compensation

The ongoing tussle between the PVR INOX multiplex chain and Kerala Film Producers' Association (KFPA) escalated with the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) announcing that Malayalam film won't be given to PVR INOX screens without settling the compensation for the losses incurred by recent releases like Varshangalkku Shesham, Aavesham, Jai Ganesh, Aadujeevitham, and Manjummel Boys. On Saturday, a press meet was held in Kochi, which was attened by the representatives of FEFKA and the concerned films. Talking to the medias, B Unnikrishnan, FEFKA's general secretary announced their decision to not cooperate with the screening giant until they compensate producers for the losses incurred during the Eid-Vishu festival season.

The conflict was triggered after some new developments regarding the virtual print fee (VPF), which is charged by the existing content providers such as Qube and UFO to screen films in multiplexes. Kerala's film producers have been vehemently opposing the fees, arguing that it impacts the profits of both filmmakers and theatre owners. As a result, KFPA launched the Producers’ Digital Cinema (PDC), a content mastering unit, aimed at offering reasonable screening costs. When the PVR group recently opened their nine new screens in Kochi's Forum Mall, they were directed by the KFPA to source Malayalam film content exclusively through PDC. This demand, however, did not go well with the PVR group, which stated that "such an action of forcing an exhibitor to procure content from only one source is anti-competitive in nature and prohibited under the law."

Meanwhile, Aadujeevitham's director Blessy, who had paid the aforementioned VPF weeks in advance, was visibly upset while speaking at the press meet. He highlighted why PVR would halt screenings outside of Kerala for an issue primarily affecting the state. Vineeth Sreenivasan, Vishak Subramaniam, Anwar Rasheed, Jithu Madhavan, Sibi Malayil, Sohan Seenulal and Renji Panicker also attended the press meet.