2018 OTT release: Did theatre owners blame Mohanlal, Dulquer Salmaan and Fahadh Faasil for endorsing OTT platforms?

The decision to release Malayalam cinema’s biggest blockbuster 2018 on Sony LIV just 33 days after its theatrical run has prompted Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala’s (FEUOK) to shut down cinema halls in the State for June 7 and June 8 in protest.

During the press meet at Kochi on Tuesday, FEUOK president K Vijayakumar had alleged that the producer of the movie had breached the contract signed with the theatre owners, that said the film will release on OTT only 42 days after its theatrical release.

Also read: 2018's OTT release ruined its chance of becoming the first ever Malayalam film to gross Rs 200 Cr: FEUOK president 

He further blamed actors turned producers, without mentioning their names, for promoting OTT platforms and endorsing the trend of OTT releases soon after the movie hits theatres. Stating that these actors are entirely responsible for the decline of the industry, Vijayakumar said, “It’s ungrateful behaviour on their part. They have actively endorsed this trend of releasing movies on OTT platforms shortly after the movies releases in cinema halls.”

Also read: FEUOK president: Will take action against Mohanlal too if he continues to give his films to OTTs 

Earlier, FEUOK had singled out actors such as Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil and Dulquer Salmaan for releasing their movies directly on OTTs. During the pandemic, Mohanlal and Fahadh had released films such as Drishyam 2, Bro Daddy, 12th Man, CU Soon, Joji and Irul on OTTs. Dulquer’s production company had also run into trouble with FEUOK after they had cancelled the plans of a theatrical release for Rosshan Andrrews’ Kurup and began streaming it on Sony LIV.

Another bone of contention is the period that was agreed by theatre owners and producers for OTT release after a movie hit theatres. While the initial agreement was 32 days, this later was extended to 42, after the film exhibitors found this to be non-viable, added Vijayakumar.

Also read: Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films responds to FEUOK’s stand, says Salute’s OTT deal was signed first 

Producer Listin Stephen had come under fire for breaching this multiple times with releases such as Jana Gana Mana, Ennalum Ente Aliya and Gold, releasing on OTT platforms less than a month after their theatrical releases.

Meanwhile, FEUOK has been pushing for a 90-day window between the movie’s theatrical and OTT releases and said that the current two-day shutdown is just a warning and will be followed by an indefinite strike if their demands are not met.