Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
no tamil films for a month

It looks like the unpleasant days are back in Kollywood after 2017 having a series of strikes and delays in the Tamil film schedule. This time the issue is on a larger magnitude. The Producers Council of South India has expressed their unhappiness against Digital Service Providers (DSP) like Qube for charging unfair VPF (Virtual Print Fee), which, according to them, makes producers and exhibitors suffer.

The issue is something which affects all the south film industries. They allege that they were supposed to pay VPF only for the first five years, but are still being charged. After a couple of meeting between the concerned bodies failed, the Producers Council has announced an indefinite strike from March 1, because of which new releases, especially in Tamil and Telugu, are unlikely.

Tamil and Telugu film industries have expressed their concerns. Although Kannada industry notified that they aren’t interested in strike. Malayalam industry is against an indefinite strike though they are ready for a one-day strike.

The producers claimed that the DSPs aren’t charging VPF for Hollywood films since 2014 and that a period of six months’ was given to come up with an amicable solution, but in vain. They expect a long-term solution.

On all this the co-founder of Qube spoke up. He said “We have been having continuous meetings to sort the issue out. We came up with a deal where we promised to reduce the VPF rate, but it was rejected by them. If their idea is to rely on an alternative provider, it is up to them. We are hoping to get clarity on it very soon.”

By anoop