Zee, which has acquired the all-world and all-platform distribution rights of some films, is very particular about the release plans of those films. It is making it very clear to multiplexes and single-screen cinemas that if the theatrical business is badly hit due to the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the country, it would take the film to the digital platform without waiting for the exclusive theatrical window of eight weeks to get over. Of course, as expected, the national multiplex chains are not agreeing to Zee’s condition. It is learnt that non-national multiplex chains and single-screen cinemas are not opposing Zee’s move as they are more concerned about getting playing programmes to run their cinemas. However, the national multiplex chains are simply not willing to sign contracts unless Zee agrees to the eight-week exclusive theatrical window.
The uncertainty over whether the public will come to the cinemas has gone up in the last fortnight because of the growing coronavirus cases in different parts of India. Zee’s logic is that in the eventuality that people refrain from frequenting cinemas, there is just no charm in holding back the digital rights of the film for eight weeks. In such a scenario, Zee wants the right to forthwith get the film on its platform, Zeeplex, on which patrons are required to pay money to watch a film.
Zee has all the distribution rights of Salman Khan’s Radhe and Punjabi film Puaada. It will be interesting to see whether Zee opts for a theatrical release after convincing the national multiplex chains to agree to its terms for OTT streaming anytime or goes directly to Zeeplex after failing to make the multiplex chains see reason in its philosophy.