Bollywood producers to go on strike from tomorrow

Mumbai, April 03: After failing to resolve the issue of profit sharing with multiplex owners, the film producers are all set to go on an indefinite strike from tomorrow, stalling any new film releases in these theatres. "Our demands are just, we want equal shares in profit sharing which is the norm all over the world. The situation is not in our hands and we will proceed with the strike as planned," Mukesh Bhatt, Chairman of the United Forum for Bollywood Producers and Distributors, said.

The year did not start on a positive note for the film industry with mega budget films like `Chandni Chowk to China`, `Billu` and `Delhi-6` faring badly at the box office. The strike, therefore, is expected to hurt both the sides as the film industry is already reeling under the global recession. The impending strike is likely to affect some major releases like Vishesh Film`s "Jashn," Yash Raj`s "New York", Anil Kapoor`s `Short Kut`, `Sikandar` and Vasu Bhagnani`s `Kal Kissne Dekha. The disagreement between the two parties is over the revenue sharing model of `ticket sales`. Producers and distributors have demanded a 50 per cent cut while multiplex owners want to stick to the old arrangement of sharing between 40-48 per cent, depending on the movie`s performance at the box office. Bureau Report