KOCHI: In an emotional rendezvous, the who's who of Malayalam film industry on Saturday vowed to 'liberate' theatres from the clutches of vested interests who have been holding the movie houses captive.
According to actor Dileep, who is in the forefront of the movement, a new organisation represented by the different arms of the industry - production, distribution, marketing and exhibition - will be launched within one week. "The new collective will work positively for the good of Malayalam cinema.
The present situation, wherein theatres are being closed, is a cause of disappointment for artists. It should not happen again. Everyone who loves cinema is supporting our endeavour. The film industry relies on the audience, who should be treated as guests," said Dileep.
Those who spoke at the meeting gave vent to their anger against the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation (KFEF) and its president Liberty Basheer.
Recalling a similar situation that forced film technicians to form the FEFKA eight years ago, after boycotting MACTA, director Siddique said the new association was a genuine attempt towards averting such unpleasant situations.
"There was a time when strikes and bans where a regular phenomena in Malayalam cinema. We decided to call it a day when it crossed the limit. Though 2016 was a glorious year for Malayalam cinema, the strike dampened the spirit in the fag end of the year. Can anyone say what the real purpose of the strike was?" asked Siddique.
The new organisation will be a 'theatre wing' with producer-distributor Dileep and Antony Perumbavoor at the helm. "When I make a film, I will decide where it should be exhibited and how it should be marketed," said Kerala Film Producers Association president G Sureshkumar. According to Kerala Film Distributors Association president Ziyad Koker, the new association will have a liberal outlook.
"The rules and regulations of the organisation will be discussed extensively. The meeting was organised not for conflicts, but to ensure peace in the industry. We have been suffering from various conflicts over the last seven years, after Basheer assumed office as the KFEF president," said Koker.
The meeting was attended by around 100 theatre owners and veteran producers and distributors.