The Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) shut cinema halls in the state on June 7 and 8 in a protest against the early release of the movies on OTT platforms. The FEUOK arrived at the decision after '2018' and 'Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum' which were running successfully in the cinemas were premiered on OTT platforms.
In a press meet, FEUOK president K Vijayakumar, as per PTI said, "The movies, '2018', 'Pachuvum Adbhudha Vilkakkum', were running successfully in theatres. We have decided to mark our protest, against the early release of such movies on OTT platforms, by closing the cinema halls on June 7 and 8."
"We have been repeatedly requesting the government to grant permission for OTT release of movies only after a stipulated period of time after its theatrical release," he said.
He pointed out that the early release of the movies was making it difficult for cinemas to run the movie. He said, "We cannot run the cinema halls parallel to OTT platforms. A solution has to be found. Once the OTT release dates were announced for these movies, movie-goers have withdrawn from the theatres. If the producer had waited for a few more days, '2018' would have become the first Malayalam movie to collect Rs 200 crore in Kerala."
As per the agreement, FEOUK said that the producers were supposed to premier the movie on OTT only after 42 of its initial release. However, the agreement was not taken into consideration by the producers of the two movies. The FEUOK has also decided to broaden the limits by establishing a 90-day window for OTT release.
However, Film Exhibitors Federation and another exhibitors union have decided to screen the movies even though it is part of the protest.