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VPF controversy: PVR CEO opens up about Ronnie Screwvala’s allegations; says nothing is UNFAIR!

While exhibitors have been quite regarding Ronnie Screwvala’s VPF allegations, PVR CEO Kamal Gyanchandani has come out and said it is not unfair at all

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ronnie-screwvala
Ronnie Screwvala

Ronnie Screwvala raised the issue of Virtual Print Fee a few months ago and took four multiplex chains – PVR, Inox Leisure, Cinepolis India and Carnival Cinemas to the Competition Commission of India. He alleged that exhibitors are continuing the illegal act of imposing VPF on producers, amongst other allegations. For those of you who don’t know, VPF was introduced in 2010 to help make multiplexes DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives) compliant. It was a technology that would helps reduce cost as well as curbs piracy. Since it was costly, it was agreed that multiplex chains will charge Rs 20,000 per screen per movie for five years to recover that cost.

However, even in 2019, four years since it should have been abolished, the practice continues. Ronnie Screwvala has hit out against the multiplex chains. But looks like there is another side of it. While the exhibitors and multiplex chains have been quiet, today (May 30), PVR CEO Kamal Gyanchandani spoke up about it at the Game Over trailer launch event.  He said, “The matter is subjudice and it is examined by the Competition Commision of India, so I’ll keep my point of view very short and snappy.”

“What you have to appreciate is that the exhibitors have tremendous amount of capital and resources in sprucing up the exhibition sector in the country. And in a small way that has brought people back to the cinemas and that is helping the entire film industry, without taking away credit from the creative talent. Ultimately this business is about what you see on he screen. So without taking that credit away, you have to appreciate it. VPF’s history is quite complicated and long, so there is no short answer to this. But all I can tell you is that the producers with the current VPF save enormous amount of money vis-a-vis what was spent earlier, that’s point number one,” added Kamal Gyanchandani.

He further revealed, “Point number two is that producers are now able to release the film in a wide fashion. Earlier when there were reels, till 2007 – 2008, films were released in a very different fashion. There were reels, there was shuttling between cinemas, there were big cities and small cities, piracy was also an issue. But because of digitisation and VPF, producers are able to release at the same time in majority of cinemas. It is also practically killing piracy. All that has benefited exhibitors, producers and everyone. So VPF has lot of sides to it and it is a long story. The reason exhibitors are not speaking about it is because the matter is subjudice. It is a fair payment from producers to exhibitors, there is nothing unfair in it.”

Well, we wonder what Ronnie Screwvala has to say about this development? What’s your take? Share with us your thoughts in the comments section below! Also stay tuned to CineBlitz for more Bollywood news and updates right here.

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