KOCHI: In a move that could turn the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation (KFEF) into a scarecrow, a new organisation of film exhibitors was formed in the state on Tuesday.
The Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) is touted as an initiative that could put an end to clashes between film organisations. Actor Dileep, who owns a theatre complex, has been named president of the new organisation. The decision to float the new organisation was taken ten days ago, when a strike called by a section of theatre owners brought the Malayalam film industry to a standstill.
Dileep will attend a meeting convened by the government on Wednesday to formulate a regulatory authority, as recommenced by the Adoor Gopalakrishnan Committee.
“Today’s meeting was attended by 110 theatre owners, while another 58 have applied for membership. It shows that around 300 screens in Kerala have come under the new organisation. We expect more exhibitors to join in the coming days,” said FEUOK general secretary M C Bobby.
It is learnt that around 90 per cent of the members of KFEF have migrated to the FEUOK, posing a threat to the very existence of the KEFF, an organisation of A-class theatres led by Liberty Basheer.
“We want movie houses to function without any break. In future, there will not be clashes between organisations. Whenever disputes arise, the core committee comprising producers, distributors and exhibitors will intervene. After considering the district-wise participation, a 14 member committee will be formed,” said Bobby.
Antony Perumbavoor, K E Jas and G George are vice-presidents of the FEUOK, while Suresh Shenoy has been named treasurer. Sumesh, Thankaraj and Arun Ghosh are joint secretaries.