Multiplexes may go blank, post April 03

MUMBAI: No new films will be released across India after April 3 if multiplexes do not agree to share half of the box-office revenues with distributors for all films regardless of starcast and budget.

Film producers and distributors, including some of the biggest names in the industry like Yash Chopra, Mahesh Bhatt, Eros International, UTV Motion Pictures, Indian Film Company, on Monday put forward their demand in the long-standing dispute of revenue sharing with multiplexes.

Hollywood studios like Warner Bros, FOX, Disney and Sony Entertainment Pictures have joined hands with the distributors.

If multiplexes do not agree to the demand, then film makers and distributors will hold back releases of all new films, which have a combined investment of around Rs 250 crore, post April 3.

���We���ve been discussing the issue with multiplex-owners for about a month now, but failed to arrive at a solution. We think the revenue share for both parities should be equal.

We do not distinguish between small-town properties and prime location properties of multiplexes, so it is unfair for them to differentiate between films based on the starcast,��� says producer Mukesh Bhatt.