Multiplex chain PVR INOX has resumed screening Malayalam films following the intervention of industrialist M A Yusuff Ali.
B Unnikrishnan, General Secretary of the Film Employee Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) confirmed that PVR INOX has withdrawn a ban on Malayalam films.
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FEFKA members had earlier written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Yusuff Ali regarding the feud and asked them to intervene in the matter. The feud reached its zenith on Saturday morning after FEFKA announced it would not cooperate with PVR INOX and said it will not give Malayalam films to any theatres owned by PVR in the future. Also, a few producers had threatened to hold protests in front of PVR INOX theatres at Lulu Mall in Ernakulam on Saturday afternoon.
Following talks, PVR INOX has agreed to screen Malayalam movies in all their existing theatres in the country, except at the newly opened screens at Ernakulam and Kozhikode. “Talks are on regarding this. We expect the issue will be resolved within a week. They have almost reached an agreement to make use of our content service provider PDC at the newly opened theatres. They will continue to use the services of UFO and QUBE at their existing theatres,” said producer and exhibitor Listin Stephen.
Kerala Film Producers Association member Sandip Senan thanked FEFKA, media and industrialist Yusuff Ali for their support and timely intervention in resolving the issue. “It is a victory for Malayalam cinema,” he said.
PVR INOX had imposed the ban earlier this week following a tiff with FEFKA. The move dealt a huge blow for Mollywood, which was basking in the success of back-to-back hits, including 'Manjummel Boys'.
Blessy's magnum opus 'Aadujeevitham' that released two weeks ago and the latest flicks 'Aavesham' and 'Varshangalkku Shesham' were hit by the ban.
FEFKA had demanded PVR INOX to compensate the losses incurred by the producers.