Why ‘Avatar: The Way of the Water’ May Not See a Kerala Release


Last update: 04 Dec 2022, 09:42 IST

FEUOK and the creators of Avatar: The Way of Water were unable to reach an agreement on the terms of profit sharing (Image: Twitter @Avatar)

FEUOK and the creators of Avatar: The Way of Water were unable to reach an agreement on the terms of profit sharing (Image: Twitter @Avatar)

Explained: FEUOK and the creators of “Avatar: Path of Water” could not reach an agreement on the terms of profit sharing.

Fans of James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ living in Kerala will have to wait a little longer to see the upcoming sequel to the film ‘Way of the Water’. Film Exhibitors United Organization of Kerala (FEUOK) may not release the much-anticipated film, according to reports.

But why is this?

FEUOK and the makers of “Avatar: The Way of the Water” could not reach an agreement on the terms of profit sharing, a report from Wion stated. The Malayalam film industry collectively Hollywood producers mentioned the new situations. blockbusters worked as “unusual”.

K Vijayakumar, president of FEUOK, said, “It is not being banned here. Their terms and conditions are not something we can agree to. They are making unusual wage demands in single screen theaters located in Kerala. That is something we cannot accept. We have not seen the movie. will be limited. However, we will not release Avatar 2 in the state of Kerala. We anticipate that they will be engaged in negotiations.”

The state body of film exhibitors has decided not to screen the film, as its producers demanded an increased share of profits – 60% – in the first weeks of the film’s release, which is above the usual percentage of 50%. producers, an Indian Express report said.

A negotiation possible?

In Kerala, there are certain regulations in place regarding the screening of films in languages ​​other than Malayalam.

It would be hard to completely dismiss the release of “Avatar,” as it has earned more than $2.92 billion in box office sales (including the film’s re-releases). The advance bookings for the film have been overwhelmingly responsive, which has led to announcing to the multiplex channels that the film is expected to have a massive debut in India.

However, exhibitors in Kerala are worried that the layoff will set an unhealthy profit-sharing model. “It’s not against the rules to do it here. Their terms and conditions are not something we can agree to. Unusual salary demands are being made in single screen theaters located in Kerala. That is something we cannot accept. We will not limit the viewing of the movie. However, we are not releasing Avatar 2 in the state of Kerala. Vijayakumar told The Indian Express that they are expecting negotiations from his side.”

Is FEUOK Responsible for All Theatres?

However, while FEUOK is not responsible for all the theaters in Kerala, it is responsible for managing the single screen operations of about 400 of the nearly 700 screens in Kerala. Only original Malayalam films can receive the organization’s standard profit share, which is sixty percent. The new requirement that “Avatar 2” must be in theaters for at least three weeks has also met with opposition from the film’s distributors and exhibitors.

However, there are some exhibitors who are hopeful that an agreement will be reached soon. A film like “Avatar 2” will be able to maintain the audience’s interest during this period, according to Liberty Basheer, president of the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation. The federation has control of about 200 screens, and Basheer has told media theaters a part of it. the organization was willing to give a 55% profit share in the first two weeks of the race.

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