Multiplexes to ban OSO & Saawariya?

The trailers of Shahrukh Khan's Om Shanti Om and Sanjay Leela Bansali's Saawariya have been pulled off from most of the multiplexes in India. While the distributors of Saawariya (Sony Pictures) are demanding a share of 55 per cent of the total profit, the distributors of Om Shanti Om (Eros International) are demanding a share of 60 per cent as opposed to the 48 per cent share, demanded by distributors otherwise.

Manoj Desai, Executive Director, G-7 Complex in Mumbai, says, "Since we have a single screen, the distributors can't blackmail us. I fail to understand the hype they create before a big release. They should rather follow the same rule for all the films."

Devang Sampat, Vice President, marketing and programming of Cinemax, says, "We are in a sad state. Both Eros International and Sony Pictures are pressurising us to give in to their undue demands, in which case we will be incurring huge losses. We are waiting for the final decisions on Monday."

Girish, publicity in charge of Cinemax informs, "We have already stopped screening promos of the films. Both, Eros and Sony have joined hands and are forcing their demands on the multiplexes. We are yet to decide whether to release the film in the multiplexes."

However, Karan, publicity in charge of PVR Cinemas seems unaware of the latest proceedings. He says, "Rumours are certainly doing the rounds about pulling off the promos of OSO and Saawariya. I have also heard that people are removing the posters from theatres. But I have not been given any such instruction. Posters are still seen at PVR Cinemas and we are screening the trailers too."