The theaters owned by Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation (KFEF) president Liberty Basheer are on the verge of closure following a vertical split in the organization of A class cinemas in the state.
Basheer also revealed Monday that he is quitting film production and all activities related to the movie industry.
It is alleged that Basheer, who recently spearheaded an agitation in vain demanding a change in the sharing ratio of collection of Malayalam films, has been driven into a corner by the new organization of theater owners under the leadership of actor Dileep.
The three-week-long strike was called off last month after many prominent members of the Exhibitors’ Federation chose to cross over to the newly constituted body, and subsequently, new Malayalam films released across the state, but the theaters owned by Basheer were forced to screen only old movies and films in other languages.
Basheer suspected the dubious role of the office-bearers of the new association, which was established with the blessings of some of the major producers and distributors, behind the move to ‘blacklist’ him.
“They are trying to extract revenge for taking a tough stand for the interests of the sector. I’m left with no other option than demolishing the theater complex in Thalassery. I'm planning to convert it into a shopping complex,” Basheer said.
“Those who head the newly-constituted association act in an arbitrary manner by denying new releases to theater owners who have refused to join them. But I will not budge from my stance. Nevertheless, I have not incurred any loss due to non-release of new Malayalam movies,” he added.
Later in the day, he said, "I have decided not to produce any more films. I am also withdrawing from all activities related to the movie industry."
During the last few weeks following the withdrawal of the strike, several movies, including Mohanlal-starrer Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol, Sathyan Anthikad’s Jomonte Suviseshangal, Fukri directed by Siddique, and Ezra starring Prithviraj were released widely across the state. None of these movies, that have reportedly set cash registers ringing at the box-office, were allotted to the theaters owned by Basheer.
The Liberty complex in Thalassery has five screens, of which Liberty Paradise has stopped screening movies. The three other screens - Little Paradise, Liberty Movie House, and Mini Paradise – are currently showing Hindi, English, and Tamil films and ‘C’ Class movies such as Raees, 13 Aam Pakkam Paarkka, Secret Girls 009, Pollathaval, and Balle Vellaiyathevaa.
“There are as many as 50 employees who depend on these theaters for their daily sources of income. That was the only reason for screening such movies,” Basheer said.
The Malayalam film industry plunged into a deep crisis after the KFEF decided to shut down theaters under it demanding a higher revenue share. The exhibitors wanted the ratio to be 50:50, instead of the existing 60:40, but their demand was opposed by the producers.
Eventually, the federation split into two, with the parent body witnessing an exodus of its members to the new association. The new body, christened the Film Exhibitors United Organization of Kerala, enjoys the support of the Kerala Film Producers Association, Kerala Film Distributors Association, and those who ditched KFEF.
Dileep is the president of the organization. The other key office-bearers are, M. C. Bobby (general secretary), Antony Perumbavur, K.E. Ejas, and G. George (vice-presidents), Sumesh, Thankaraj, and Arun Ghosh (joint secretaries), and Suresh Shenoy (treasurer).
(With inputs from Jayaprakash K)