This week's big release, the Shahid Kapoor - Vidya Balan starrer Kismat Konnection directed by Aziz Mirza and produced by TIPS has not been released in any single PVR multiplex screen in India except for the
state of Punjab.
While it is being said that PVR took the decision of boycotting the romantic comedy produced by TIPS because of its ongoing dispute with the film's all world distributors, UTV, it is perhaps
guiding its own business interest claim film industry's trade sources.
"PVR is the co-producer of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and this week's other release, Ram Gopal Varma's Contract.
Kismat Konnection is targetted at the youth and the family audience and therefore is in direct
competition with Jaane Tu for PVR who is also the all India distributor of the film.
The issue with PVR and UTV was only for its multiplexes in Delhi and Bangalore but it took that as an excuse to boycott the
film all over India in their properties so that their own produced and distributed two films' business does not get affected.
This worked in their favour too. As the weekend saw heavy rush for Jaane Tu even in its
third week and almost all its shows in each PVR multiplex were housefull for Sunday.
Contract which had got a dismal opening on Friday got more footfalls in the weekend because those visiting PVR for
Kismat Konnection had to contend with Contract if they had already seen Jaane Tu." quoted a trade source.
Ironically, the premier of Kismat Konnection in Delhi was held on July 18th at PVR's Priya cinema in Delhi.
We tried speaking to PVR officials in this regard but no one was willing to quote anything on record.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 14:39 IST