Theatres on strike

The association of the A-class theatre owners, Film Exhibitors Federation, begins an indefinite strike from today onwards. 360 theaters in 70 centers from all over Kerala will remain closed from November 2.

Their demands include a hike in the service charge from Rs 2 to Rs 5 and the abolition of entertainment tax. Federation General Secretary M C Bobby said that they are going on with the strike as their demand to increase the service charge was not accepted by the Government.

B-class theatres and multiplexes will not take part in this strike.

The release of M Mohanan’s ‘916’ and Shafi’s ‘101 Weddings’ are postponed and the strike will badly affect Mammootty’s ‘Jawan of Vellimala’ and Prithviraj’s ‘Ayalum Njanum Thammil’ which are in the cinemas now.