Exhibitors strong decision in Kerala.The rise of OTT platforms and the convenience of watching movies from home have led to a significant decline in the number of people going to theaters.
This trend has had a major impact on the exhibition sector, particularly in Kerala, where the theater-going culture is already relatively low. Adding to the challenges is the shorter OTT window period, which has become a source of frustration for theater owners.
In response to this situation, the Film Exhibitors United Organization of Kerala (FEUOK) has issued a warning that they will not screen new Malayalam movies scheduled for release from February 22 onwards. The exhibitors are upset that despite their protests, producers are not adhering to the agreed-upon 6-week OTT window period.
FEUOK President K. Vijaya Kumar has expressed disappointment over producers consistently violating these norms, leading to this bold decision. The ongoing disputes over this issue could potentially lead to the closure of more theaters in the future if producers continue to prioritize shorter OTT release windows.