Why Tamil Nadu theatre owners not screening Avatar: The Way of Water

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) : After failing to resolve disagreements with the film’s producers over profit-sharing terms, many owners of single screens in Tamil Nadu have expressed regret at not showing Avatar: The Way of Water.

The opening of Avatar 2 was a big deal for Rakesh Gowthaman, proprietor of the two-screen Vetri Theatres in Chennai. He also spent a lot of money upgrading his theatres so they could do justice to the James Cameron film.

Producers are asking for a 10% increase over the standard contract term. For Avatar 2, we promised an exceptional bonus of 5%, and we intend to deliver. Yet, they were in disagreement. Our standard first-week payment is 55% of the total cost. Rakesh said, “This time we offered 60%,” according to Indianexpress.com.

Avatar 2 has been released in Tamil Nadu on about 300 screens. Many single screens have caved in and agreed to the terms demanded by the producers. However, some have refused to budge. “For Avengers: Endgame, we payed 55 per cent. Once we agree to these terms then everyone will start asking the same,” Rakesh added.

The film’s producers had also faced the same problem with exhibitors in Kerala. The Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala announced that it won’t screen the film in Kerala on the new profit-sharing terms. However, the parties resolved the issue after the exhibitors agreed to give 6o per cent in profits. But, the makers were not ready to make the same concessions for exhibitors in Tamil Nadu.