Distribution issues must be discussed: Forum to plexes

MUMBAI: The claws are out again. Unlike the last 7-hour marathon meeting on Monday, the multiplex-United Forum conference was over in 90 minutes with no results. The United Forum (aka the United Distributor Producer Association (UDPA) told multiplexes that distribution was a primary issue which needed to be discussed before revenue-sharing but the plexes refused to give in to their demands. The UDPA argued that multiplexes had reduced them to a courier service. UDPA chairman Mukesh Bhatt told TOI, "Films like Little Zizou and Oye Lucky cannot be released everywhere. Distributors should be given the freedom to make their own choices. If we are not to have the right to design our distribution strategy, we are saying in effect that we will never be able to achieve what Slumdog Millionaire has achieved in North America.'' Multiplex spokesperson Deepak Asher said, "We have three basic issues-revenue sharing, distribution strategy and payments. Hopefully, we will be able to arrive at a solution soon.'' The UDPA has decided no producer will release their films in multiplexes until the issue is resolved. If any producer changes track, all actors will boycott his productions in future. "Aamir and Shah Rukh have contacted other stars and everyone has expressed support for the cause,'' says UDPA's Ronnie Screwala.