Ahead of the grand global release of Pawan Kalyan starrer They Call Him OG, an upsetting news arrives for all Pawan Kalyan fans in North America as leading exhibition chain York Cinemas have announced their decision to cancel all shows of OG in North America.
Taking to their social media pages, York Cinemas penned, “We regret to inform you that York Cinemas has made the difficult decision to cancel all upcoming exhibitions of the film They call him OG. York Cinemas has become increasingly concerned that various cultural and political forces associated with the distribution of the film in North America could pose a potential risk to public safety and security.” York Cinemas confirmed that all tickets purchased in advance would be refunded, and that ‘safety of our patrons, employees and the public’ remains their top priority.
In addition, York Cinemas also addressed the subject of being coerced by individuals connected to OG distributors in North America, to artificially inflate sales figures, in an attempt to 'increase the economic value of future OG South Asian films, and to gain greater control over the South Asian film industry in North America.’
“These individuals also appear to be creating a cultural divide in South Asian communities based on social standing and political affiliations. York Cinemas refuses to engage in unethical business practices and supports and encourages all groups within the South Asian community to flourish,” the statement further read.
This part of the statement by York Cinemas has added fuel to the fan wars online between Pawan Kalyan fans and fans of other leading actors, giving rise to speculations about which recent Telugu films could have indulged in said practises.
Meanwhile, the film’s overseas business also might witness a huge fall because of the delays in its content delivery. While the first half of the film has been delivered, the exhibitors are yet to receive 2nd half of the film. Such major delays leave the exhibitors with very little time for quality check approvals, which might compel cinema chains to cancel the shows at the nth hour.
It remains to be seen whether, with so many barriers in its release, OG can successfully register a record-breaking figure on opening day, as it is expected to.
