Distributors and exhibitors in North India are reportedly taken aback by a recent email from the North Indian distributor of ‘Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1’. The email allegedly demands a dominant position in the region’s theaters and screens, seeking near-exclusive access.
A manager of a prominent multiplex, speaking anonymously, shared their concerns. According to the manager, the distributors have requested that all showtimes be allocated to ‘Kantara’, effectively excluding the competing release, Karan Johar’s ‘Sunny Sankari Ki Tulsi Kumari’. This strategy is seen as a potential monopolistic trade practice, which is legally questionable.
Theaters are reportedly exploring strategies to address this situation. Plans include a meeting between producer Karan Johar and the ‘Kantara’ team over the weekend to negotiate the terms. However, the multiplex manager indicated that if the ‘Kantara’ team maintains its demand for a substantial majority of showtimes, they may be forced to withdraw ‘Sunny Sankari’ altogether.