An attempt to screen classic movies at “informal” outdoor locations, by an event management company in Bengaluru, has met with opposition from the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).
Describing the move as a violation of the Karnataka Cinema (Regulation) Act 1964, the KFCC has complained to the police and the Deputy Commissioner on what they have termed “illegal screening.”
The film body also plans to approach the government to stop such screenings in the future.
StepinOut, an event management company, screened the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH), a 1998 blockbuster, in the amphitheatre of UB City on Valentine’s Day.
Sa.Ra. Govindu, KFCC president, said that was in violation of the Karnataka Cinema (Regulation) Act, 1964, and the Karnataka Entertainment Tax Act, 1958.
“Both these laws strictly define what space can be deemed ‘theatre’ and an amphitheatre cannot be considered as one,” said Thomas D’Souza, vice-president, Film Federation of India.
The screening of films is possible only in places which has the status of “screen” or a “theatre” as described in the certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification.
Safdar Adoor of StepinOut argued that it was not a “not a movie event” but a “get-together of like-minded people.”
“We are screening old classics to offer a nostalgic trip for film lovers. We are trying to do something different and have also paid entertainment tax for holding the get-together, where food was served,” he said.
K.V. Chandrashekar, leading exhibitor and proprietor of Veeresh Cinemas, said that it was a larger issue.
He pointed out that an attempt by distributors of the Rajinikanth-starrer Kabaali to screen in five-star hotels in Bengaluru had run into rough weather for violation of the same laws. The Bengaluru DC had then cancelled the shows.
