BANGALORE: The much awaited Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kites faces an uncertain future in Karnataka, with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) asking the exhibitors not to screen the movie in the state.
Reliance Big Pictures, distributor of Kites, has raised the ire of the apex film body by releasing more than the permitted number of prints of the film in the state. According to the rules of the KFCC, other language films can release only 21 prints of the film in the state.
As a special case, Reliance Big had been permitted to screen the film in 24 theaters in Karnataka. However, KFCC says that Reliance Big has released more than 45 prints in just South Karnataka alone. Reports allege that approximately 90 plus prints of the movie have been circulated in Karnataka.
Some theaters have withdrawn Kannada films to make room for the screening of Kites and the Chamber fears that the box office performance of some of the running Kannada films and those to be released soon would be affected by the release of Kites in the state. Also, two Kannada films that were slated for release today in the state have no theaters, claim industry sources.
Reportedly, the KFCC has demanded compensation from Reliance Big for the losses incurred and has demanded an undertaking that Reliance Big will not repeat this in future.
Also, reportedly, KFCC has threatened not to release any films in the theaters that release Kites in the state.
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