Pressure From Producers' Lobby To Release Ae Dil Hai Mushkil?

President of COEAI (Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India), Nitin Datar, claims that exhibitors are getting many calls from senior and big producers to let ADHM make way into the single screens. SpotboyE.com grills him on his claim and lots more...

Anurag Kashyap's statement in support of Karan Johar'as ADHM has been the news of the day...
I am not surprised, but I don't agree with him.

Why are you not surprised?
Film people standing up for their fraternity is nothing new.

So what's the latest on your front?
Single screens are getting calls that they should release ADHM.



Who's calling?
The production sector. Especially those who are big and have good relations with theatre-owners. Kaafi pressure dala ja raha hai.

What are they exactly saying?
They are asking for shows, what else! They say that we should at least give them one/two shows.

So what have you guys thought of?
I stand by my decision and I will not budge.



Who exactly called?
I shall reveal their names at the appropriate time. These are all big shots. They are even calling up smaller towns- Nagpur, Sholapur to name a few- and trying their best to break our unity. But it won't help.

Moreover, I don't understand why Karan Johar is so worried. He has sold ADHM to Fox Star Studios. He doesn't stand to lose anything.

Moreover, Fox is not an Indian company who can understand national sentiments but maybe not to the fullest extent.

But the staff out here in Fox is Indian in majority...
Then that staff should come and speak to us. Why are they not talking? All that they're saying in the media is that ADHM should release.


Image Source: risingbd

The Studio culture is collapsing. A dent in the collections of ADHM could have a severe impact on the fortunes of Fox...
I repeat, why are they not coming out and expressing their concerns?

We have got good support from the social media and political parties as well. I have spoken to buswallahs and rickshawwallahs and they have told me that I have taken the right decision.

Which political party has said that 'you guys have done no wrong'?
I am seeing television and no politician has said that we are not right. Moreover, don't we reserve the right to take a decision if we should release a film or not? Just because a film gets a Censor certificate does not mean that it should be screened by the exhibitors.

What are your concerns?
Who will pay for the losses if there is any vandalism in our cinema halls? The film industry will then turn around and say that it was not their but the government's job to provide security.



But what if the security is provided which surely will be?
Still, will the security be able to stop a mob fury in its tracks? What if some hoodlums buy tickets and get in as viewers and then create damage? It's Diwali time and the security will be in many places around the city. Even 50 cops won't be able to control a mob fury. Pressure from producers' lobby continues to mount, though.

I am getting to hear from many people that Karan should either postpone the ADHM release, or re-shoot Fawad Khan's portions with some other actor.

Aren't films tweaked and re-shot if and when there is an objection from the Censor Board? So why not now as anyway Fawad's role is very small?

It might be easier said than done. There are buildings who do not give flats to single girls, and some do the same to Muslim families. When such drastic calls are taken, the single girls or Muslim families who already reside in their premises are not thrown out. Fawad's portions being re-shot would mean taking dates from other actors in the film, revisiting the earlier locales, increasing the budget and...
(Interrupts) I think filmmakers do all the possible things for the betterment of a film.

While one understands that you are taking preventive measures and have national interests in mind, here are a few other school of thoughts...
Like what?

Aren't you forgetting that Karan, Ranbir, Aishwarya and Anushka are Indian? They have worked 2 years on this film and why should they suffer for the presence of Fawad who barely has a role?
They have been paid, isn't it?

Payment is one thing, but seeing that hard work translate on the screen is another...
Time to say what I said earlier. We have not banned ADHM. We wouldn't mind releasing it at a later date if the Indo-Pak mak matter cools down. Moreover, we haven't imposed this on any exhibitor. I f anybody want to release it, he/she is free to go ahead.


Image Source: hdlivewallpapers

Swara Bhaskar has tweeted: Instead of banning & boycotting films I wonder how many self proclaimed patriots make any real contribution benefitingr soldiers??
God! I have clearly said that we haven't banned ADHM. Why is that not being understood?

they also said they asked general pubic which include rickshawwalas n they r in favor of association decision! even many people i know dont wanna see adhm! anyway it is their theatres n unity. they r free to do so n film industry will turn their back when they will need them. so true. bw is full of losers who care abt their money n nthng else!

Drama ...drama ..drama...charon taraf drama 😆😆

What are your concerns?
Who will pay for the losses if there is any vandalism in our cinema halls? The film industry will then turn around and say that it was not their but the government's job to provide security.

Is this guy for real! Smh!

What are your concerns?
Who will pay for the losses if there is any vandalism in our cinema halls? The film industry will then turn around and say that it was not their but the government's job to provide security.

So there lies the crux of the matter.. And some still defend saying this is being patriotic when it is plain bullying and submission! If the hoodlums were not threatening violence these people simply would NOT take so called stand and then try to defend it with paper thin excuses of 'national sentiments'!

Couldn't go past vandalism/mob-fury and security part 😆

All this *bullying & pressure tactics* for ADHM really looks like an eye-sore on Indian government -- !!!!

Nothing is done only for national sentiments in this country. That's why it's a joke. The fact that he has to cut the interviewer on valid points says all there has to be said on the topic.