MUMBAI: Majority of Indian multiplex chains Adlabs Cinemas, Inox, Fame, Fun Cinemas, Cinemax, Movietime and Citypride have not come to terms with producers and distributors United Motion Pictures over revenue sharing terms for Jodhaa Akbar. The movie is slated for a worldwide release tomorrow (15 February).

The movie will not be screened on Friday at any of the above mentioned multiplexes and single screens owned by these companies. Thus a total of 126 properties totaling to 452 screens across the country will not screen Jodhaa Akbar. Approximately 300 prints would be required across these screens. Thus out of the total 850 prints allocated for India, 300 prints will not even be consumed on Friday.

Last year Welcome did not see a fill blown release on Friday due to the same issue between multiplexes and film distributors (in this case Studio 18).

United Motion Pictures

Multiplexes

Initial Terms

50, 45

48, 38

Re-negotiations (until Thursday)

50, 42½

50, 40

Final Offer

(for Friday)

50, 42½

48, 40

For Jodhaa Akbar, initially when UMP asked for a revenue share of 50, 45 (Mumbai city); the multiplexes were offering 48, 38. Later UMP re-negotiated for 50, 42½, while the multiplexes offered 50, 40. While the difference was only of a 2½ per cent for Mumbai city, the talks seem to have been broken this time round because the parties did not agree for terms on Gujarat. UMP was demanding 50, 42½ for Gujarat (same as Mumbai city) and the multiplexes were not willing to offer more than 45, 35. Om Shanti Om was also settled at the same terms.

“If the producers come to us tomorrow, we will not offer them anything more than 48, 40,” says the programming head of a multiplex, on behalf of all the multiplexes. Taare Zameen Par and Welcome had received these terms.

UMP executive vice president marketing, communication and distribution Siddharth Roy Kapur refused to comment on the issue.

PVR is the only multiplex chain screening the movie. “The advance bookings opened on Wednesday and the response has been good, especially in Delhi and Bangalore. We have also received various block bookings, which clearly indicates that people are waiting for this film,” says PVR Films Cell CEO Ashish Saksena.

It remains to be seen whether the two parties arrive at a decision tomorrow and whether the movie will hit theatres on Saturday.

Incidentally, the next big multi-starrer – Race, which is scheduled to release on 14 March, is also being distributed by UMP. The movie stars Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Anil Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu and Sameera Reddy.

Related stories:
PVR signs for Jodhaa Akbar; others yet to follow

UTV steps up to combat Jodhaa Akbar piracy

Multiplexes take a stand on revenue share terms

PVR & multiplexes settle on revenue terms

Multiplexes unite against PVR, Studio 18

Multiplexes still stay away from Welcome