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Now, Marathi film producers, theatre owners lock horns

Producers claim theatre owners levy huge rents and service charge; threaten to go on strike if the rents, rates are not revised soon

Nitin Brahme

Posted On Sunday, July 05, 2009 at 04:27:31 AM

Just as the Bollywood crisis saw resolution, Marathi filmmakers and theatre owners have locked horns over a similar issue. Rate and rent issues seem to be the deadlock between theatre owners and film producers of Marathi cinema.
Since 2004, Marathi films are being made and released in increasing numbers.

In 2008, 114 Marathi films were released and this year, the numbers will increase as well. Marathi films are now empowered, not just in terms of numbers, but also in terms of content and technology.

Marathi film producers have demanded that the rent system on single screens should discontinued. Entertainment taxes should be chopped in the multiplexes and the ticket rates for Marathi films should be fixed at Rs 50.
The Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal (ABMCM) has warned that if their demands are not fulfiled by the end of this month, Marathi films will not be released.

Ajay Sarpotdar, president of ABMCM, said that if the government did not ‘control’ theatre owners by this month end, then not a single Marathi film will be released after August 14. He said that on July 7, 2009 Marathi film producers would send their letter of demand to the Maharashtra government. Mohan Kulkarni, representative of ABMCM, told Pune Mirror that film producers from Pune would meet on July 5, 2009 at the Maharatta Chamber of Commerce hall.

Sarpotdar said that, at present, single theatres charge a theatre rent of Rs 35 to 40 thousand per week from producers. In addition, a service charge of Rs 3 (non-AC) or Rs 4 (AC) per ticket is levied on viewers, which is exorbitant. Sarpotdar suggested, that instead of rent, theatre must charge one theatre protection amount (approx Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000), which would cover the maintenance costs. Sarpotdar also demanded a 45 to 50 per cent share of the total collection in the first week of a release.

He said, “Multiplexes are still charging entertainment tax from viewers, which has been waived by the government. The rate of Marathi films should be fixed at Rs 50 and one screen be compulsorily allotted for Marathi films. The government should control the sharing amount .”

Vivek Damle, secretary of Poona Exhibitors’ Association said that ABMCM has not communicated their terms to them officially. If producers of Marathi films have some questions, then it can be solved by mutual discussion. Even single screen theatre owners have some problems.

Without communication, issuing a direct warning of strike is not correct. ABMCM must act in the interest of Marathi film producers.

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