Despite PVR Inox Boycott, 'Varshangalkku Shesham', 'Aavesham' Get Good Openings At Kerala Box Office

Pranav Mohanlal's 'Varshangalkku Shesham' and Fahadh Faasil's 'Aavesham' have got a flying start at the Kerala box office. Both the movies hit the screens on Thursday.

As per the trade trackers, the combined collection of the movie is estimated to be around Rs 6.5 crore on Thursday. It is noted that the movies have done well despite not being screened in PVR Inox.

The early predictions say that 'Aavesham' has earned Rs 3.5 crore while 'Varshangalkku Shesham' has made around Rs 3 crore on the first day. The movie has done well in foreign countries as well. Unni Mukundan's new movie 'Jai Ganesh' has earned over Rs 50 lakh on the opening day.

Prithviraj Sukumaran's 'Aadujeevitham' has continued to pull viewers to theatres as it earned over Rs 2 crore on Thursday.

In North America, the movie has made around Rs 3 crore from over 65 locations. Whereas 'Aavesham' too has raked in over Rs 3 crore in the US on the first day.

Multiplex Issue

PVR Inox has boycotted the movies in Kerala following over a dispute with the producers' association.

The Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) has launched PDC, a new content-providing company, and urged theatres to acquire films through this venture. Citing the high Virtual Print Fee, existing content providers like Qube, UFO, PXD, and TSR, the producers guild started the new platform.

However, the PVR INOX has contracts with service providers like QUBE, making them reluctant to utilize the services offered directly by producers.

Evershine Mani, secretary of the Film Distribution Association of Kerela, has accused service providers like QUBE, UFO, and Sony charging exorbitant virtual print fee. "For one week, they charge Rs 11,500. If it is for multiplexes with four or five screens, they charge Rs 24,500. For one show, Rs 450... like that, they have many schemes," he told Indian Express.

On the other hand, PVR INOX said that forcing exhibitors to procure Malayalam content solely from one source, controlled by the producers' association, is deemed anti-competitive and unlawful. The note emphasized PVR's commitment to adhering to legal regulations as a responsible member of the film industry.