According to reports, the stalemate between multiplex chains and the producers of Sooryavanshi, Reliance Entertainment finally ended on late Thursday night around 10 pm. The terms between multiplexes (including Inox, PVR, Cinepolis and Miraj) and Reliance Entertainment were settled after a long battle that led to advance bookings not opening for the Akshay Kumar-starrer till Thursday night. Rohit Shetty, the director of Sooryavanshi, posted on his Instagram, "Last battle won! Sooryavanshi releasing across all multiplexes and sinle screens all over the country."
Earlier, top cinema chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis still hadn't started advance bookings for Akshay Kumar’s film Sooryavanshi, even though it is scheduled to release on Friday. The reason for this was a disagreement between the producers and the exhibitors regarding the revenue share.
The Multiplex Association of India is reportedly offering a 52.5% share in the revenue which is standard but the producers are asking for a higher percentage of around 55% or higher for the opening week.
A source told Pinkvilla, “The national multiplex chains – PVR, INOX and Cinepolis – are clearly biased in their approach to Hindi films vis.a.vis the South. The three chains have offered 57.5% revenue sharing deal to Rajinikanth’s Diwali release, Annaatthe, whereas refusing to move over the regular terms of 52.5% for Sooryavanshi. It’s strange because Sooryavanshi is among the biggest Indian releases of the year.”
Vishek Chauhan, an exhibitor said, “"While they (multiplexes) have opened advances for Eternals but not for Sooryavanshi. National chains contribute 60-70 percent of revenue for any Hindi film. We are told that by today the advances could open," according to Moneycontrol.
Sooryavanshi, directed by Rohit Shetty, is presented by Reliance Entertainment and produced by Rohit Shetty Picturez with Dharma Productions and Cape Good Films. Reliance is reportedly asking for revenue terms similar to Akshay Kumar’s previous release BellBottom. The team of Akshay’s upcoming flick reportedly expect a higher share because they decided to hold the release of the film for theatres instead of OTT.
According to Pinkvilla, the movie chains had decided that the Bell Bottom makers would have a revenue of 60% in the first week and 55% and 50% in the consecutive weeks.
Chauhan added that the major multiplex chains are reluctant to offer a higher share because if would set a precedent for upcoming films and also because they have other big releases lined up on the same dates. Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe released on Thursday and Sooryavanshi’s release clashes with Marvel Studios’ film Eternals.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)