Mumbai: Vinod Chopra’s Lage Raho Munnabhai may have to miss out on a multiplex release if the producer does not work out a feasible distribution share with the exhibitors. Vinod Chopra is said to be demanding a larger cut in the profit, ala Yash Chopra for Fanaa. Yash Raj Films had demanded and gotten a hefty share in the profit-sharing ratio of multiplexes.
The managers of the multiplexes refused to comment as terms of settlement are still under discussion at the Multiplex Owner Association (MOA). Consequently, advance bookings of the film (today is a wednesday) have not yet begun. The time required for resolution is not clear either – watch this space for updates.
Surprisingly, the single screen owners do not have reason to rejoice. Manoj Desai, Managing Director, G7 and Maratha Mandir says, “The response of Lage Raho Munnabhai at my single screen theatres has been average. The matinee shows on the weekend are not full either.” At the time of filing this report, tickets for the Friday and Saturday shows at Maratha Mandir were also available.
When contacted, Shravan Shroff, Director, Shringar Films, owners of the Fame Multiplex chain and distributors for the film in the Bombay circuit (Bombay city and suburbs, Thane, Gujarat, Saurashtra, Maharashtra and Karnataka) was very clear that “Fame would release the film in all its multiplexes, even if the others did not.” “We are completely prepared to go ahead,” he ended.
