Film chamber objects to screening of ‘Kabali’ at five-star hotels

Urges Home Department to stop what they term as ‘unlawful exhibition’

Elaborate preparations:Fans painting a cut-out of actor Rajinikanth at Nataraja Talkies,in Bengaluru on Tuesday.— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

The ambitious plan of the distributors of Rajinikanth-starrer Kabali to screen the film at five-star hotels in Bengaluru has run into a hurdle with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and Karnataka State Film Exhibitors’ Association (KSFEA) appealing to the Home Department to stop what they describe as “unlawful exhibition”.

While the distributor of Kabali has dismissed this objection as “absurd”, the film bodies opposed to it are citing provisions of the Karnataka Cinema (Regulation) Act, 1964, to justify their stand. They say that what space can be deemed “theatre” is strictly laid down, and a hotel cannot be termed as one.

Citing another rule, KFCC and KSFEA contend that even if screening is cleared by the Deputy Commissioner, exhibitors have to obtain a ‘no objection certificate’ under the Karnataka Entertainment Tax Act, 1958, and register their licence under entertainment tax provisions to get a permit to screen a film through sale of tickets.

Speaking to

The Hindu , KFCC executive president K.V. Chandrashekar said only then does the premises of screening gets the status of a “screen” or a “theatre” as described in the certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification. “We have appealed to all authorities concerned to stop the move. If the government fails to act, we may take legal recourse,” he said.

The KSFEA has forwarded the letters to Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner, Commercial Taxes (Entertainment).

Meanwhile, Lahari Music, which has taken the rights from Rockline Ventures, is all set to release

Kabali in 64 multiplexes in Karnataka. “The film will be screened at JW Marriot, Lalit Ashok, Royal Orchid, and Crown Plaza for three days starting Friday. There will be four shows daily,” said Velu of Lahari Music. All necessary permissions had been taken and five-star hotels would comply with all conditions stipulated by electrical inspectorate, fire, health, police, and Public Works Departments, besides permission from the BBMP, Mr. Velu said.

The plan to screen the movie in five-star hotels is the brainchild of Chandrakumar of Lahari Music. He, along with his friend Safdar Adoor, decided to replicate the U.S. model. “We are planning to sign a memorandum of understanding with all major hotels in Karnataka to create facility to screen films,” Mr. Chandrakumar said. Meanwhile, fans’ associations are preparing to celebrate the release of the film in a grand manner. “We distributed plastic pots with Kabali stickers to women to publicise the film, wherever they go to fetch water,” said Rajini Murugan, president, Karnataka Rajya Rajini Seva Samiti.

KFCC’s contention is absurd and unwarranted. It has no locus standi to dictate terms to distributors. The distributor has all the rights to explore marketing and distribution rights to maximise business. The Competition Commission of India reprimanded KFCC for unnecessary intervention in free trade.

Lahari Velu, distributer, Kabali

As per the provisions of the Karnataka Cinema (Regulation) Act, 1964, any random space cannot be treated as ‘theatre’ where a film can be screened after selling tickets. We are only asking that illegal screenings not be permitted.

K.V. Chandrashekar, executive president, KFCC