Kamal Haasan files a suit against exhibitors over DTH dispute

Due to pressure from film exhibitors, Kamal Haasan has been compelled to postpone the release of his Hindi-Tamil-Telugu tri-lingual Vishwaroop. He has now slapped a notice on all the exhibitors and complained to the Competition Commission Of India and slapped a fine of Rs 25 lakhs on film exhibitors. The film is now likely to release on 18 January (2013). Says the undefeated actor-director-producer, “It is not fair to do this. I’ve sued all of them (the exhibitors). But I am not revealing the names of the people I’ve named in the notice, because I know they will come around and then it won’t look nice. There were too many ramifications. The exhibitors came to my office. But I am not averse to being pushed against the wall. It always gives me greater maneuverability. I really see the postponement as a blessing in disguise. Today because of the way exhibitors have pressurized me I’m being seen as the champion of a movement to take the movie-viewing experience forward with the DTH (Direct To Home) facility.” Now the exhibitors have agreed to sign an all-clear memorandum. Says the indefatigable Kamal Haasan, “I haven’t given in to the exhibitors’ demands. Postponement has given me more breathing space, more theatres and hopefully more eyeballs. Every practical problem has been taken care of.” On Tuesday afternoon exhibitors stormed into Kamal Haasan’s office in Chennai demanding that he cancel the DTH screening of Vishwaroop/Vishwaroopam immediately. They also invited the media to Kamal Haasan’s office to hear their side of the case. Says Kamal, “Yes, they did come on Tuesday. But I refused to allow the press into my office. I called another meeting with the exhibitors on Wednesday morning. I told them that I had postponed the release and that I had sued 13 people. I know they’ve been coerced by certain chains of multiplexes into pressurizing me to postpone. I will not name the exhibitors in my notice. They are still part of my extended family.” While Kamal Haasan refuses to say which elements pressurized the exhibitors to revolt against the DTH plans , one learns that one particular chain of multiplexes from Mumbai were extremely vocal in rallying support in the North and South to stop Kamal Haasan’s plans. Say Kamal, “I know who’s orchestrating this. He too will come around. Now I’ve time to build the film even further.”