Multiplexes,here come the Khans

For possibly the first time in their two-decade careers,SRK and Aamir came together on one platform and spoke for a common cause,addressing journalists on behalf of The United Producers and Distributors Forum.

The two actors said that unless an understanding with multiplex chains is reached on “equitable playing terms”,and until the chains rectify “various irregularities” they are involved in,the release of films would be voluntarily held back.

In between. they also joked. The two superstars,who had recently been taking potshots at each other,jointly posed for photo ops and whispered into each other’s ears.

Asked about their so-called patch up,SRK joked,“This is a non-issue. We are both grown up and intelligent people. Of course I’m less intelligent than Aamir,I respect that and so must you all. It’s a non-issue that we are sitting together here on one platform. We will have no problem even if we are sitting together in the same plane,the same car or maybe even the same film.” And Aamir jested,“I tell Shah Rukh,come on get your gloves,and let’s have a fight.”

On the issue at hand,SRK said,“We are not in a private tussle for one or two per cent. This is not about greed,this is not a power show,this is about equal rights for both big and small films,especially the latter that sometimes get lost in the negotiations. All we want is to sit across the table with the multiplex owners and talk about fair rights for Friday nights for everyone concerned with the business.”

Aamir spelt out the agenda: a 50-50 share of profits with multiplex chains,lower ticket prices and a check on irregularities in entertainment and service tax. “Some states don’t have entertainment tax,yet some multiplexes charge the audience. Moreover,exhibitors are not authorised to charge service tax but they charge anything between 2-8 per cent,which is unfair,” said Aamir.

He recommended that a committee be formed to study the standoff between producer-distributors and exhibitors,so that a dialogue can be held. “We want all sectors of the industry to make money. Only when all sectors are happy and healthy can the industry be happy and healthy. We want our audience to know that we are unhappy,that somewhere because of all this we aren’t able to fulfil our responsibility of entertaining them,” added Aamir.

Powered by the Khans,it was a big show of strength and unity by the film fraternity. Karan Johar played media coordinator,the Khans gave keynotes,while Yash Chopra,Ronnie Screwala,Mukesh Bhatt,Vidhu Vinod Chopra,Rakesh Roshan,Ashutosh Gowariker,Sajid Nadiadwala,Ritesh Sidhwani,David Dhawan,Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra were present to show their solidarity with the cause.

SRK was reluctant to term the current scenario as a deadlock,preferring to call it a “timeout to do repair work between the pipeline that connects our audience to us”. The fact is,however,that the recent no-show of films at multiplexes has blocked many major releases.

The Multiplex Owners Association declined to comment on the fresh appeal.