The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) has given a legal notice to the Indian 2 film’s team for ignoring the terms about the OTT release of the movie components that had been agreed upon. More than twenty years since its original and successful labor directed by Shankar with the leading actor Kamal Haasan, the sequel to Indian was premiered on 12th July 2024. Even with great hopes being put, the movie was unable to deliver on the box office. And yet, there was a furor when Indian 2 Hindi dubbed version was made available on Netflix before it was even 8 weeks since the film’s release in theatres.
MAI’s restrictive policies regarding the release of the Hindi version
The MAI has laid down certain minimum requirements which films in Hindi should meet before they are theatrically released. These include an otto prohibition for 8 weeks after the theatrical release of the film. The provisions have been entrenched mainly to safeguard the rights of the theatrical exhibition segment, equity trading in the dated movie is given a fair chance before the edition is made. There are penalties, as well, for the producers who infringe the franchise. There could be, for example, the suspension of memberships from the leading multiplex chains PVR Inox and Cinepolis.
Preemptive actions stir legal consequences
MAI sources claim that CGR was surprised to learn the Hindi version of Indian 2 was already available on the Netflix platform, weeks before the preliminary agreement date of September 6. Such breach of the agreement pushed the MAI to go the legal way stressing the need of respecting the 8-week window. The Association also believes that this is very serious infringement and intends to make it clear to other producers that such kind of actions will not be tolerated.
Consequences of the impact on the industry
This letter of legal notice by the MAI is largely indicative of the increasing divisions between theatrical exhibitors and OTT platforms. Since there are more and more producers asking for early digital releases, the MAI will stand by its policies in order to protect the viability of the cinema business. This legal notice outcome however has the potential of determining how such issues will be dealt with in the future.
