The Film Exhibitors United Organization of Kerala (FEUOK) has decided to sever all ties with Dulquer Salman and his production company Wafer Films after the producers chose ‘Salute’ directly for OTT release. The film, which is expected to release in theaters on January 14, was screened by Sony Live.
The main problem FEUOK members had with Dulquer and Wafer Films was that they ‘withdrew’ from the decision to release it in movie theaters and did not respect the signed agreement. The movie was scheduled to release on January 14 in 300 theaters.
But a Wafer Films spokesman denied the allegations. “Salute’s OTT contract was signed first. We pulled it out to release the movie in theaters in January. We wanted the film to hit theaters. But the streaming service demanded that it reach the digital platform on or before March 31st. The deadline they shared for its theatrical release was February 14th or earlier. This was not possible because we were all affected by Kovid. But when a contract is made and it is not kept, it is a problem for them and for us. That’s why the film had to be released on OTT, “the OTT Play report said.
Fiok also alleged that the production company had not informed the theater owners that the film would be opting for an OTT release directly after the January 14 release was postponed due to an increase in Kovid cases.
“If the film is not released within the stipulated time, the OTT will take action. We had informed the theater owners that the release was going to happen. By then, the hit movies had been released and we withdrew from doing the movie in theaters as we saw that it was unlikely to be released on February 14th. We have always supported theaters, ”a production company spokesman added.
Summary: FEUOK lifts ban on Dulquer Salmaan and his production house Wayfarer Films after the latter presented an explanation which the former found ‘convincing’. The ban was imposed after his movie ‘Salute’ was made a digital first release
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