Mysore/Mysuru: Owners of the single screen theatres have threatened to stop screening of movies across the State, in case film distributors and producers fail to agree to Tamil Nadu-based formulae on profit sharing, said R.R. Odugoudar, President, Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation.
Addressing a news conference at Pathrakartara Bhavan in city this morning, he said that the theatres have suffered huge loss due to closure of cinema halls for over seven to eight months due to COVID-19. After re-opening, people were not coming to cinemas out of fear. In 2004-05, there were 1,800 single screen movie halls in Karnataka, and now it has reduced to 589. On the other hand, the number of single screen theatres was increasing in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Recently, a meeting was held in which movie distributors agreed to implement the Tamil Nadu model on profit sharing but took a U-turn within two days saying that they would stick to weekly rental basis. Instead of conveying their decision in person, they announced their decision through media, he added.
