Pyramid Saimira says most 'Kuselan' distributors compensated

Chennai, Nov 20 (IANS) Entertainment major Pyramid Saimira Thursday claimed it has compensated film exhibitors and distributors for the losses due to the Rajnikant-starrer 'Kuselan' to the 'satisfaction of all', but admitted 'delays' in four districts.

In a press release Thursday, it said: '(The company has) reimbursed monies to cinemas in two Tamil Nadu districts of South Arcot and Chengalpet which directly screened 'Kuselan' ...(but since) theatre owners of North Arcot, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli (and) Tirunelveli (districts) did not reach an agreement with the Distributors Association, the process of reimbursement amount has been delayed.'

'(The company) agreed to reimburse distributors and theatre owners of Karnataka and Andhra despite... the absence of such a clause in its agreements... (and) the producers of the movie...(wanting) to compensate only those in Tamil Nadu,' the statement added.

The company stated that though it suffered tremendous losses from 'Kuselan', it did not hold anyone responsible.

The move comes a week after the Exhibitors' Association directed its members to boycott the films of the production houses of Pyramid Saimira and Kavithalaya, for not paying up the compensation. The films they planned to boycott were Arjun-starrer 'Thiruvannamalai', produced by Kavithalaya, and Pyramid Saimira's 'Naan Kadavul'.

With 745 theatres able to seat 469,000 viewers together and having invested over Rs.57 billion in films since 2005, Pyramid Saimira is one of the biggest corporate entertainment majors, the press statement added.

Released in October at a reported cost of Rs.650 million, 'Kuselan' disappointed fans of the Rajnikant and is said to have not recovered even 50 percent of its costs.