The ongoing strike called by the Kerala Film Exhibitors' Federation has brought the film industry in the state to a standstill.
The government has taken a strong stand in the case. It doesn't help that members of the federation are reportedly confused over their plan of action.
The exhibitors' federation that owns about 350 of the 500 releasing centres in the state closed down the theatres from November 2. It is demanding an increase in the service charge from Rs 2 to Rs 7.
Though the federation has compromised somewhat on this demand, actor and state minister K B Ganesh Kumar has called the strike an unwanted gesture.
According to rumours, there is no unanimity within the federation itself with some exhibitors resenting the strike.
Things are expected go from bad to worse with the release of Tamil superstar Vijay's latest film
Thuppakki this weekend.
Many theatre owners are almost
certain to open their theatres as they have already paid advances for the film.
Two prominent theatres in Kochi have not participated in the current strike. The multiplexes in Kochi have also stayed open.
The cinema strike has resulted in the postponement of several Malayalam releases.
Shafi's
101 Weddings, M Mohanan's
916, Jeethu Joseph's
My Boss, Roopesh Peethambaran's
Theevram, V M Vinu's
Face to Face, Major Ravi's
Karmayodha, Gireesh's
Nee Ko Njaa Cha, Sunil Ibrahim's
Chapters, Anil's
Climax, Shaji Kailas's
Madirasi and several other films are waiting for release in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, producers are planning to stop the shooting of ongoing films. This year more than 100 films have been released and the success of several of them has boosted the confidence of the industry.
As such, the strike could definitely play spoilsport.