Both PVR, producer-distributor of Taare Zameen Par and Indian Film Company, the distributors of Welcome demanded higher revenue shares from multiplexes. Taare Zameen Par was released after 2 pm last Friday in all multiplexes after the revenue sharing issue was resolved after PVR agreed upon a 48, 40, 35 ratio for the film.

Anees Bazmee’s Welcome could not be released on the opening day at any of the multiplexes as the issue remained unresolved. However on Saturday afternoon, Welcome made a welcome entry at the multiplexes to the joy of scores of viewers. Said Sandeep Bhargava,CEO, Indian Film Company, “Our demands were justified. Multiplex owners paid a high share in the past for films like Om Shanti Om, Saawariya, Chak De India, Tara Rum Pum Pum and other movies. Since ours was also a big project and had already generated lot of excitement, we should have got our due at the first place.” At a meeting on Saturday between The Indian Film Company and multiplex owners, the latter agreed to give the distributor a 48, 40, 35 first three week ratio share. Multiplex owners also gave an assurance that the ratio given to them will become a standardised practice for all releases in the coming year.

“They had to agree on the terms of the distributors because of two reasons. Firstly, in the initial weeks of a film’s release, crowd come in going by the publicity and reviews of the film. Where are people drawn in multiplexes after that?” asks trade analyst N.P. Yadav. “Secondly, they should respect the high cost the distribution company pays to a producer who has incurred heavy expenses, “ rues Yadav.

Does this mean such tug-of-war measures would go on? “Such an instance would have definitely cropped up had multiplex owners not come out with an assurance to standardise the revenue sharing ratio for the next year. At least for a year viewers in the metropolis would not face any awkward situation,” hopes Yadav.

Said, Geerish Wankhede, Head Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Cinemax, “Whatever happened on both the occasions was unfortunate. Such matters need a lot of discussions to be solved. Good that we multiplex owners have assured distributors of revenue-sharing ratio for the next year. While we started showing Taare Zameen Par from Friday afternoon, Welcome was shown from Saturday morning as we got the prints at seven in the morning. While print publicity ads displayed the names of the multiplexes the films would be shown at, we didn’t open the advance booking window till matters were resolved. But it was a matter of concern when we saw interested patrons go back in despair. But all said and done, both the films have taken good openings. While Welcome got an outstanding opening from the first show, Taare Zameen Par picked up subsequently by the word-of-mouth publicity.”