Kamal Haasan’s novel move to leverage technology and create a new revenue stream for his film Vishwarooopam through a direct-to-home television premiere has suffered a temporary setback.
An official statement from Airtel CEO for DTH/Media Shashi Arora said: “In line with the postponement of the release date of the movie Vishwaroopam across theatres and DTH platform by Rajkamal Films, we have stopped booking for the movie premiere that was scheduled for January 10 at 9.30 p.m.”
Kamal Haasan’s spokesperson said the film maker did not want to make an official statement on the issue.
Ever since the actor announced his ambitious plan for DTH, it has been a match of bobbing and weaving with a section of theatre owners and film distributors who view the move as being detrimental to the theatre business.
Last week, the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association and the Tamil Nadu Film Distributors Federation decided not to screen and distribute movies that are released on DTH platform. Subsequently, bookings were open only in a limited number of theatres for Vishwaroopam .
This copy has been corrected for some factual errors.