Pyramid Saimira, the movie’s distributors, had earlier announced to compensate 35 per cent of the minimum guarantee amount at which the exhibitors had purchased the exhibiting rights.
“Pyramid Saimira had agreed to refund us and the other distributors of the movie to the extent of 35 percent.
But the distributors association is against reclaiming money for the losses suffered.
So, we have decided to ask Saimira for that compensation amount as well,” explained R Panneer Selvam, secretary, Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners’ Association, adding that this would take the total compensation received to 60 per cent of the Minimum Guarantee amount.
Over 125 theatres, excluding Pyramid Saimira’s theatre chain, had obtained screening rights of 'Kuselan' under the minimum guarantee method, and over 80 per cent of them had reported a loss. Pyamid Saimira had obtained the distribution rights of the movie at Rs 67 crore and had distributed the films directly in a few areas, including Chennai and Salem.
Members of the theatre owners’ association had met Rajinikanth on Friday, and it transpired that the actor discussed their problems for almost an hour.“He was very understanding and even mentioned that we needn’t have purchased the rights to exhibit using the minimum guarantee method,” said Sukumaran, a committee member.
The total amount to be paid back to the theatre owners will have to be coughed up by Pyramid Saimira, Rajini kanth and producers Seven Arts and Kavithalaya.
Explaining why the theatre owners have asked for a reclaim from Rajini, though he was not the producer, Panneer Selvam said, “Film’s director Vasu had once announced that Kuselan is Rajini’s movie and changes have been made keeping the superstar in mind. Rajinikanth, who was also present at the event, did not refute it. Even their publicity for the movie was only Rajini-centric. This led us to believe that he is the movie and that is why we are seeking a compensation. In fact, we have suffered a loss for many movies, including Vijay’s 'Kuruvi', Simbhu’s 'Kaalai', Vikram’s 'Bheema' and currently Vishal’s 'Sathyam', but we haven’t asked for a refund.
That’s because we took the decision and were prepared to face the results. But, in Kuselan’s case, we were misled by Vasu’s statements.” 'Kuselan', the members said, had taught them a lesson on the entire system of acquiring exhibition rights.
“From now on, we have decided not to agree to exhibit any movie under the minimum guarantee method. It should actually be the movie’s producers, who pay us money first to screen their movie.
In future, if any theatre works under the minimum guarantee system, it will not be supported by the association,” Panneer Selvam added.
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