The Malayalam movie industry is heading into a huge crisis as differences cropped up between movie producers/distributors and theater owners across Kerala.
The Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation, an organization of theater owners, demanded that they be paid half of a movie's earnings from theaters. The producers and distributors have not agreed to this.
With no resolution in sight, producers have decided to halt movie production from December 16, Manorama News reported.
At least 20 Malayalam films, slated for release in the coming months, will suffer from this stand-off.
The exhibitors federation alleged that producers have overthrown earlier conditions both the sides agreed upon.
If the stand-off continues, new films won't be released in theaters after December 16, during the Christmas-New Year season which is an important business period for films.
As of now, Mohanlal's Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol, Mammootty's The Great Father, Dulquer Salmaan's Jomonte Suvisheshangal, Prithviraj's Ezra and Dileep's Georgettan's Pooram are slated for release in December.