Victory Cinema issued the following statement about the movie screenings: “We had prepared the theatre to show JANA NAYAGAN in the same commercially appropriate way as all distributors and producers in this industry.”
The statement comes in the midst of speculation on social media as to the reason for the film not working in cinema. As Vijay's fans were waiting for the movie JANA NAYAGAN, there were hopes that differences between the theatre and the film distribution team might have prevented it from being played.
Victory Cinema has also made it clear it has always been willing to show the film. The management of the cinema is prepared to show JANA NAYAGAN on the same fair and transparent business terms as every major release, no matter who is doing it, the production house or the star.
The theatre has a consistent policy for all films and does not create separate commercial policies for individual releases. The same standards are also needed in the industry, the company said, so all producers, distributors, exhibitors and audiences are equally fair from a production standpoint.
The clarification has attracted much attention in the Tamil film industry as JANA NAYAGAN is one of the most eagerly awaited movies of the year. The eagerly awaited Vijay movie has been a million dollar project ever since its announcement and is eagerly awaited by all the fans and has been getting updates from the studio on the development and release date of its production and marketing and all the news about its release.
Social media has been flooded with reactions after Victory Cinema's announcement. Although many people welcomed the theater’s clarification and appreciated that it was clear communication, the wider issues of movie distribution, revenue-sharing models, as well as exhibition agreements and the business of movies were also discussed by many users, but there was also a lot of reaction on social media; people have been quick to react to Victory Cinema’s statement on the site.
The theatrical exhibition business involves a lot of negotiations between producers, distributors and cinema operators about revenue sharing, movie rental, showing dates and contractual terms. Most releases progress smoothly according to industry protocol, however, if there are commercial disputes between them and cinema operators sometimes they may also be held back or canceled at certain venues.
Victory Cinema said its policies are the same for each release, and also that the same commercial model has been successfully followed throughout several films over the years. The management said it wouldn’t stop in the name of the best cinematography and they would keep in touch with filmmakers and distributors.
Analysts say theatres are key to the success of big box office success of star-driven movies, particularly for those that attract mass audiences and are packed on opening day. Open communication between exhibitors and distributors is often required for big releases and smooth launch days are in fact key to wide releases and a smooth operation on the big screen in film theatres at large-scale premieres— and such a film can be only possible if there is clear communication between exhibitors and distributors to get movies to be in front of a wide audience to open so much more people on opening day.
The statement has also prompted discussion of the changing business dynamics of the film exhibition industry. With the rise of multiplex chains, premium large-format screens and changing audience tastes, the negotiations around theatrical releases have become increasingly important. However, industry experts argue that standard commercial practices contribute to long-term stability for exhibitors and distributors.
Vijay fans have been still enthusiastic for JANA NAYAGAN and many hope that any issues with screenings are resolved quickly so audiences can see the film on the big screen. The actor's movies always get huge box office openings and exhibitors in Tamil Nadu and across the rest of the world often see high demand through these films.
Victory Cinema took the time to reiterate that they were committed to providing quality cinema in the hands of the viewer. JANA NAYAGAN will be shown in the same way that movies are always shown in the industry and we do that on a basis of fairness, transparency and equal treatment as they should be.
With fans and industry participants still talking about it, the theater’s clarification has helped to clarify the issue. “Whether or not the film will play at the movie theater,” the statement says, “clear communication and standard business practices are necessary to maintain the good relationship of the film exhibition industry.”
With JANA NAYAGAN inching toward being released, we now wait for the release date and also what will happen to it on the theatrical release date and how many screenings it will have. Our current state is that it is one of the most eagerly awaited Tamil movies and we hope that it will be released in cinema halls across the country without any more uncertainty.
