FEUOK overturns the ban on Malayalam films

Reversing its previous statement, the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) has chosen not to screen any Malayalam films in theatres starting on February 22.

On Manorama claims that the judgment was overturned on Tuesday, February 27, and that FEUOK Chairman Dileep expressed hope that problems in the movie industry could be resolved via dialogue.

For those who don’t know, the crisis started when theater owners, acting on behalf of FEUOK, announced a boycott of newly released films beginning on February 23 in opposition to union requests from the film industry. The filmmakers had demanded that their movies be shown in upscale theaters and asked that the OTT distribution of the films be stopped before 42 days. The main point of dispute also concerned projector pricing, which theater owners said made it difficult to satisfy the needs of the producers.

Nonetheless, the film industry’s union remained steadfast in its demand for the freedom to play their productions in theaters that charge a premium, refusing to even entertain the possibility of negotiations with FEUOK. The producers called the move by FEUOK to enforce a ban “irrational” and chastised it.
In the meanwhile, Malayalam cinema is back in the game by releasing strong films one after the other, even throughout the conflict. The public is giving Mammootty’s horror movie “Bramayugam,” Naslen’s comedy “Premalu,” Tovino’s starring “Anweshippin Kandethum,” and the survival thriller “Manjummel Boys” excellent ratings.