Kerala film chamber amps up strike call plan, asks affiliate bodies to seek its nod on new releases

Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce requires prior approval for movie releases amid industry rift and strike threats.

The Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has asked exhibitors and distributors to seek its prior permission before going ahead with the release of movies from March 25, 2025 onwards.

The move comes amid the widening rift among the film bodies in the Malayalam film industry over the strike call given by a combine of producers, exhibitors and distributors from June 1 onwards.

The KFCC had also announced a token strike to press its various demands that include removal of double taxation on movie tickets and a salary cut by lead actors in view of rising cost of movie production and dip in box-office collections.

Saji Nanthiyattu, general secretary of the film chamber, said on Wednesday (February 26, 2025) that the decision to seek its prior approval before the release of movies from March 25 was taken to “protect the interests” of its affiliates, including the exhibitors and distributors.

“Before the release of a movie, the exhibitors and distributors ink an agreement. We do not want them to run into legal hurdles if they are not able to screen the movies in view of the proposed strike,” he said.

He denied reports that the move was part of the escalating rift between G. Suresh Kumar, vice president of the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) and producer Antony Perumbavoor, whose film L2: Empuraan starring Mohanlal is scheduled for release on March 27.

Mr. Perumbavoor had questioned the announcement of the indefinite strike called by Mr. Suresh Kumar on February 6. He had also termed the decision as “unilateral and taken without required discussions within the producers’ body.”