Many people’s hard work and dreams were destroyed : Jibu Jacob
Director Jibu Jacob made a mark for himself in the industry with his debut movie itself. Vellimoonga staring Biju Menon was a sleeper hit and became one of the highest grossers of 2014. He waited for two long years to become a part of a good team and the perseverance paid. His next movie, Munthirivallikalal Thalirkkumbol stars Mohanlal in the lead role. It is one of the most expected movies of the season for many reasons-Mohanlal’s next was after the historic hit Pulimurugan, Jibu Jacob – Mohanlal team, and also the attractive promos.
So, Jibu Jacob was expecting a great Christmas season with his second movie being scheduled to release on December 22, but the theatre owners strike played spoilsport for what could have been a great commercial period not just for his movie but the entire film industry. In a recent interview, the director shared his thoughts about the strike and how it spoiled many people’s months of hard work.
He said, “For me December 22 was not just another date, it was a dream that I was seeing for the past two years. Not only mine, many people’s hard work and efforts were spoiled solely because of the stubbornness of a section. In Malayalam cinema, most movies are scheduled to release in the holiday season. Now that season has gone, who can make up for that? Theatres are just a side business for the owners, they will make money from many other businesses. But for us cinema is the only field of work from where we earn our daily bread.
Many producers take huge loans for funding movies. These losses cannot be restored. Several movies are now lined up for release now. We cannot release all these movies together, can the theatre owners who have called the strike give us these many screens. Most movies have a theatrical run of only two weeks, so they have to make profit within that period. Already many have spent lacs for promotions and they were all marketed as a Christmas release. We all thought that the strike will be called off after two days, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.
Actually, how many are really supporting this strike?. The audience are strongly opposing it. What justification is there behind this strike, their demand for 50% share of the theatrical collections cannot be accepted. I am not one to talk to about the conditions of the theatres in the State, it is the audience who should talk about it.”
Munthirivallikalal Thalirkkumbol, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s much expected horror thriller Ezra, Dulquer Salmaan- Sathyan Anthikad team’s Jomonte Suvisheshangal, Jayasurya starrer Fukri directed by Siddique were the major releases that had to be scheduled because of the theatre strike.
