MUMBAI: The tussle between multiplexes and Warner Bros Pictures India has finally ended, paving the way for the smooth release of the final edition of the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2, on Friday.
The two parties were warring over the multiplexes‘ demand of share of 55 per cent, leaving 45 per cent to the Studio during the first week.
According to an MoU signed last year, the revenue sharing pattern between distributors and multiplexes was 50:50 in the first week, which would then be reduced to 42.5 per cent in the second week, followed by 37.5 per cent in the third week and 30 per cent in the fourth week.
Now, finally after two rounds of talks on Wednesday and Thursday, the two parties have reached a common ground.
Moreover, the studio has also suffered the loss of revenues that were to be collected through paid previews.
Cinemax CEO Sunil Punjabi said, "They (studio) have finally given in. Though I can‘t give you out the figure right now, all I can say is that the decision has gone in favour of the multiplexes. We are going to show the film from tomorrow."
The studio contended that the multiplexes never asked for a raise of share during the exhibition of Transformers.
Punjabi countered by saying, "Transformers released on 29 June when the MoU was still effective; it expired only on 30 June. While we were about to talk to various Hollywood studios about our demands, the Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 issue cropped up."
A group, representing various multiplexes owners, visited the Warner Brothers office for renegotiations today and was able to settle the matter. The group consisted of representatives from PVR Cinemas, Fame, Inox, Big Cinemas, Cinemax and Fun Cinemas.
"We are thrilled that tomorrow, Friday 15th July, in partnership with every one of our cinema partners right across India, we‘ll be releasing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2, the much-anticipated final installment in this record-breaking film series," said Warner Bros. Pictures India deputy managing director (Theatrical) Denzil Dias.
