"Some cinemas are showing only 'Kaabil'"

Theatre owners' association president defends producer Rakesh Roshan's claims that exhibitors have been unfair to him by not alloting 50 per cent of the screens to 'Kaabil' as promised

Rakesh Roshan

As Hrithik Roshan-starrer 'Kaabil', clashed at the box office with Shah Rukh Khan's 'Raees' yesterday, trade pundits indicated that the latter is faring considerably better. 'Kaabil' producer Rakesh Roshan has claimed that exhibitors have been unfair to him by not alloting 50 per cent of the screens to the film as promised.

"I'm losing Rs 150 crore straight. I don't know where the pressure came from and why they succumbed to it. But, the 60:40 division of screens [between 'Kaabil' and 'Raees'] will dent my day 2 collections further. In Dubai, UK, Australia and New Zealand, they have given us 50:50 screens, but not here. I feel betrayed," he said.

The veteran filmmaker suggests in case of a clash of Titans, exhibitors ought to take a collective decision to allot equal number of screens to both. "Producers will never be able to take a decision as each thinks his product is the best, so exhibitors have to take the lead."

Trade folk offered varied responses to Roshan's allegations. Distributor-exhibitor Rajesh Thadani said, "Exhibitors have merely favoured the film that will do well at their properties. Since critics have appreciated 'Kaabil', he needs to be patient. When the collections improve, they will get more shows."

Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi, said, "My cinemas have allotted equal screens to both. Others should have also honoured the commitment made to Roshan."

When told that exhibitors may have changed their mind after 'Raees' took a good opening, Rathi said, "Every chain has its own programming and they cater as per demography. Plus, every exhibitor is here to make money. Relationships are important, but so is business."

President of Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association, Nitin Datar, said, "Rakeshji must have thought he would get more shows, but in case of a clash, we all stand to lose something. It will be best if producers divide their shows, so that all of us can make money. This time, many single screens have chosen to screen only one of the two films. For instance, Chandan (Juhu) has four shows of 'Kaabil'."

An industry source, however, said, "Roshan is crying foul about not getting adequate shows and screens, but the truth is that the occupancy [for 'Kaabil'] isn't 100 per cent. 'Raees' has taken a huge opening; its advance booking was phenomenal."

Inputs by Mohar Basu

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