The Kerala Film Exhibitors Union (FEUOK) has delivered a blow to the release of Rishab Shetty’s highly anticipated Kantara: Chapter 1 in Kerala. The union has halted screenings across the state, citing a bitter dispute with distributor Prithviraj Productions, led by actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran.
At the heart of the clash lies profit sharing — and the numbers have sparked a firestorm.
The Dispute Explained
Prithviraj Productions, which holds the distribution rights for Kerala, has demanded a 55% share of theatre collections during the first two weeks. FEUOK, however, has firmly opposed this, arguing that the standard practice is 50%.
- Distributors’ demand: 55% profit share for two weeks.
- Exhibitors’ stand: 50% maximum, no exceptions.
- Malayalam producers’ concern: They often get only a 40% share when their films release outside Kerala.
Vijayakumar, FEUOK president, minced no words:
“Why should exhibitors bow down to inflated demands for other-language films when Malayalam producers don’t enjoy similar benefits elsewhere?”
A Larger Debate on Equity
This dispute has opened a much larger debate in Kerala’s film industry. On one side are distributors who argue that massive pan-India films need higher shares due to their scale. On the other are exhibitors, who accuse them of exploiting the system while local Malayalam producers suffer.
The political undertone is hard to ignore — Malayalam cinema’s ecosystem has long complained of being overshadowed by big-budget Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi films. FEUOK’s stand is being seen as a pushback against this imbalance.
Release in Jeopardy?
Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster, is slated for a grand release on October 2. With Kerala being a crucial market, the standstill could dent the film’s opening week collections if not resolved in time.
The film, written and directed by Rishab Shetty, stars him alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, Rakesh Poojari, and Gulshan Devaiah. While excitement remains sky-high, the uncertainty over screenings has left fans frustrated.
The Burning Question
This controversy is more than just a profit-sharing tussle. It highlights the fractures within India’s regional film industries and the fragile balance between protecting local cinema and embracing pan-India spectacles.
Unless both sides initiate urgent talks, Kerala audiences might miss out on one of the year’s most awaited films — and that could be a reputational setback not just for Kantara, but for distributors across industries.
By – Nikita