The Tamil Nadu Film Producers' Council (TFPC) is on an indefinite strike, hoping to bring about a change in Kollywood. They have ambitious plans to make Tamil cinema great again.
One month into the strike, the TFPC is not even close to finding a solution to solve the issue.
Let us go back in time and look at the events that led to a strike of this magnitude.
December 13, 2017: Telugu Film Industry calls for a strike
It was the Telugu film industry which initially started protesting against the exorbitant prices charged by Digital Service Providers (DSP) such as UFO, Qube and PXD.
In a detailed press statement, the Telugu Producers Council stated that the DSPs are not complying with the orders passed by their industry. They also stressed on the fact that over the years, they have grown to such a level that they can control the producers, theatre owners and pretty much the entire industry.
Hence, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) announced an industry-wide shutdown from March 1, 2018. This also means that the theatres will not be showing any films.
February 6, 2018: Tamil Nadu Film Producers' Council to join TFCC
There were reports that the Tamil Nadu Film Producers' Council (TFPC) was joining TFCC in their fight against Digital Service Providers.
In fact, a meeting was planned with the representatives of Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada film industries, along with DSPs in attendance, to solve the issue amicably.
SR Prabhu, treasurer of TFPC, said, "A joint meeting between the members of the four states will be held in Hyderabad. We will get clarity on this issue after the meeting."
March 1, 2018: Negotiations with DSPs fail, South Indian Film Industry on strike
Several rounds of discussions took place in Hyderabad and Bengaluru to sort this issue. However, negotiations between the two parties failed miserably. Hence, the South Indian film industries decided that no movies will be released from March 1.
At this point, Telangana film and entertainment minister T Srinivas Yadav intervened and assured that he will arrange another meeting to solve the crisis.
According to reports, the DSPs were charging Rs 22,500 per screen from the producers. However, for a Hollywood film, the cost was Rs 10,000 for the film's lifetime (till the movie is in theatres).
March 2, 2018: Malayalam and Kannada film industries back out
Initially, the South Indian film industries planned to protest against the Digital Service Providers together. To show their solidarity, the Malayalam and Kannada film industries decided to join the strike from March 1.
A day later, both Malayalam and Kannada film industries backed out of the strike and decided on trying to resolve the issue amicably.
Hence, new Kannada and Malayalam releases were the big ones in theatres from March 2.
March 8, 2018: Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce calls off strike
On March 6, theatre owners in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh called off their strike with immediate effect. The representatives of Tollywood met the DSPs and arrived at a favourable decision.
Former president of Telangana State Film Chamber of Commerce, M Vijayender Reddy told TOI, "Some theatres may start screenings immediately; some may open from Friday (March 9)."
However, the Tamil Nadu Film Producers' Council is not willing to pay the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) to the DSPs. Hence, they extended the strike until they find a solution.
The Digital Service Providers have reduced their charges by 20 per cent, to which Telugu film producers have given their nod.
March 16, 2018: No shooting or any film-related work, announces Producers' Council
It has been over 15 days since any Tamil films released in Tamil Nadu. To tighten the noose further, the TFPC announced that no film shooting, post-production work or promotional events could take place starting March 16.
On March 10, the TFPC issued a press release with five important demands directed at revamping the entire system.
- The producers will no longer pay Virtual Print Fee to the DSPs.
- Theatre association should reduce ticket prices depending on the film's budget.
- Online ticketing fee should be reduced.
- Selling or buying movie tickets to be computerised.
- Release of films should be regularised according to the demand and budget.
March 16, 2018: Tamil Nadu Theatres shut down to demand the abolishment of local body tax
While the TFPC is struggling hard to eliminate the payment of VPF by conducting an indefinite strike, the theatre owners' association decided to demand a reduction in the entertainment tax levied by the state government, by announcing a strike.
Apparently, states like Kerala have only Goods and Services Tax (GST) and zero per cent entertainment tax on tickets.
However, in Tamil Nadu, the government charges an 8 per cent local body tax in addition to the GST and theatre charges. This ranges between 18 and 28 per cent, based on the ticket rates.
Meanwhile, multiplexes across Tamil Nadu decided to not take part in the fight against the local body tax.
March 20, 2018: Special permission to four Tamil films
While the entire film industry has come to a standstill, news about Vijay's Thalapathy 62 being given special permission broke.
Before the issue could go out of hand, the TFPC issued a statement saying that four movies including Thalapathy 62, Mr Chandramouli, Nadodigal 2 and Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal were given special permission due to genuine reasons.
They also added that these four films were given permission to shoot only for 2-3 days, and that they would wrap up the schedule by March 22.
However, this decision by the TFPC did not go down well with certain producers such as J Satish Kumar, Siddharth and Manobala.
Siddharth tweeted, "Every single film is an equal challenge in todays brutal cinema marketplace. If these special permissions to shoot are given to one, please give them to all producers. We are al the same. In the absence of equality and unity, god save us. #TamilCinema #Strike (sic)"
March 22, 2018: Vijay Sethupathi and Junga team take off to Portugal to shoot
Irked by TFPC's decision to permit only certain films, Vijay Sethupathi instructed the team of his film Junga to take off to Portugal to complete it.
While a few reports suggested that the Junga team had sought permission from the TFPC, the council did not mention Junga in the list of films that were given special permission.
Talks are on between producers to take strict action against the Junga team for not adhering to the council's rules.
There has been no official statement regarding Junga shooting in Portugal.
April 3, 2018: To show solidarity, Telugu film producers decide to not release films in Tamil Nadu
In an attempt to stand united with Tamil producers, the Telugu film producers are now taking their films off the theatres in Tamil Nadu.
Ram Charan and Samantha Akkineni's Rangasthalam, which is seeing a dream run in theatres worldwide, will be stopped in Tamil Nadu from Sunday (April 8).
April 4, 2018: No solution even after a month
It has been over a month since Tamil Nadu saw any new film releases. In the history of Tamil cinema, this looks like the longest strike. Also, we hear that the TFPC is not even remotely close to finding a solution to this crisis.
As of now, the possibility of Tamil movie releases on or before the Tamil New Year (April 14) is quite bleak.
Due to the ongoing strike, over 20 films, including Rajinikanth's Kaala and Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam 2, are lying on the shelves, waiting for a proper release date.
Meanwhile, with the summer holidays and no film releases, school students in Tamil Nadu will probably have only the Indian Premiere League (IPL) to devote their attention to.
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