New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) The revenue-sharing tussle between producers and multiplexes has cost the owners of movie theatres dear. With no big releases and the Indian Premier League (IPL) fever on, multiplexes are incurring 50 percent losses due to low footfalls.

“The business is very down and collections have plummeted over 50 percent. We are extending certain content out of compulsion because there is no new content. Moreover IPL is aggravating the problem in terms of footfalls,” Sakshi Mehra, an exhibitor and president of the Motion Pictures Association of Delhi-Uttar Pradesh, told IANS.

“We are in a serious situation until we get fresh films and quality content, which has not been flowing in since the beginning of the year when the strike was not effective. In fact, even the single screens are suffering because of the dispute,” he added.

Mehra, who also owns the IP multiplex in Varanasi and several single-screen theatres across Uttar Pradesh, is considering playing old hits like “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, “Chak De! India” and “Rang De Basanti” to attract audiences.

Some exhibitors are trying to keep the ticket window buzzing by playing re-runs of popular Hindi and English movies including “Jodhaa Akbar”, “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi”, “Dhoom 2″, “Life…in a Metro”, “Transformers”, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, “Mr. Bean’s Holiday”, “Razzle Dazzle” and “Marley and Me”.

There are cinema hall owners who are stretching available content like “Confessions of a Shopaholic”, “Little Zizou”, “Aloo Chaat”, “Delhi-6″, “Dev D”, “Firaaq” and “Videsh – Heaven on Earth”. Audiences can get to watch a bevy of regional movies, specially south Indian films including “Kotha Bangaru Lokam”, “Chintakayala Ravi”, “Venkata in Sankata” and “Aakashmantha”, to name a few.

Industry sources predict that the six major multiplexes in the country namely PVR, INOX, BIG cinemas, Cinemax, Fun and Fame are set to lose close to Rs.300 crore (Rs.3 billion) collectively if no new films play in the first quarter (April-June).

The combined fixed cost losses for all multiplexes counting mall rentals, salaries, and electricity charges for the first quarter is expected to be around Rs.140 crore in case the dispute is not resolved, the sources said.

The problem started in February when multiplexes asked for 50 percent revenue share of a movie and producers refused. As a result, the united producers and distributors forum decided early March not to push any new releases in multiplexes. In a statement issued to the press, producers and distributors said that they have decided to suspend marketing and distribution of all films set to release after April 4, 2009.

Munish Sharma, general manager (marketing) of Satyam Cineplexes, however, blames the IPL more than the strike for low business.

“The strike did have an impact but it is the IPL series that is the main reason for the drop in ticket sales as most filmmakers had already decided to postpone their releases during the IPL season,” Sharma said.

But Joginder Mahajan, a Delhi-based distributor, disagreed with Sharma and held the producers’ strike responsible for the losses.

“IPL is not the main reason for the losses. The impact on the ticket sales is a result of the ongoing tussle between producers and multiplexes. Why would people spend so much money to watch old films?” Mahajan asked.

He also said that many multiplexes like “PVR and BIG cinemas” are keeping some “screens off” as cost-cutting measures.

“Most multiplexes are keeping at least one of their screens on off-mode and are also cancelling some of their morning and night shows due to cost-cutting,” he claimed.

Port Elizabeth , April 10 (IANS) The second edition of Indian Premier League will be more competitive than the inaugural season, feels Kings XI coach Tom Moody.Moody said there was no way anybody can pick one team above the other, and said that all the sides were evenly matched.

“All the teams in the competition are very strong,” said Moody.

“I think it would be foolish of anyone to try and predict who the favourites or second favourites will be.”

The former Australian international said the South African public would be in for a first-class experience when the Twenty20 tournament exploded into action April 18.

“The thing about the IPL – and we saw this in India last year – is that you see some outstanding cricket because you?ve got all the world?s best players on stage in one tournament. So you?re in for a treat,” Moody was quoted as saying by The Herald.

Moody identified the Delhi Daredevils as one of the Kings XI?s biggest threats. The teams meet in Cape Town April 19.

“Delhi Daredevils is always a tough game for us. We have got them first up and they boast a good international list but also have some very good Indian stars.”

Moody said the franchise had been received well since arriving in at the start of the week.

“It?s of great excitement for us to have the opportunity to practice at terrific facilities here in Port Elizabeth. The ground at St George?s is certainly world class, the pitches have been world class and we are enjoying the experience.

“That?s particularly so for our Indian players who need to get used to conditions here in South Africa.”