Sooryavanshi, the much-anticipated film, will be released in four days, on November 5. The anticipation is palpable, yet many theatres, particularly national multiplex companies such as Inox, PVR, and Cinepolis, have yet to offer advance booking. This is because the theatres and the film’s producers are negotiating on two points.

“Before the outbreak, the income sharing formula had been fixed since 2009, and the film business was strictly adhering to it,” a source told Bollywood Hungama. However, in the aftermath of the pandemic, the producers have demanded a higher cut. From single screens, freestanding multiplexes, and non-national multiplexes, Sooryavanshi’s producers have requested 60% revenue in Week 1, 55% revenue in Week 2, and 50% revenue in Weeks 3 and 4. Negotiations are ongoing with major chains, and it is unlikely that the first week’s percentage would be as high as 60%. Both parties are anticipated to strike an agreement by this evening (Monday), or by Tuesday afternoon at the latest.”

“The single screens and freestanding multiplexes have asked the same terms of income sharing as the national multiplexes,” the source continued. On this front, a solution will be found soon. Those theatres with a 2K format can at least state that if Sooryavanshi doesn’t get a fair share of the cash, they’ll give all of their shows to Disney’s Eternals, which is also releasing on November 5. Non-2k theatres, on the other hand, will not have this option because Hollywood films are not permitted to be shown there. As a result, they have no choice but to screen Sooryavanshi and hope to find a solution soon.”

“Disney has requested 50 percent revenue sharing in Week 1, 48 percent in Week 2, 45 percent in Week 3, and 40 percent in Week 4 in the case of Eternals,” the insider stated. And, as is customary these days, cinemas would be expected to pay the studio 30 percent of the 3D premium.”

The issue of screen sharing is another area where there is no clear consensus. “We’ve heard that Reliance has specified that they want maximum Sooryavanshi shows in multiplexes and nearly 100 percent of shows in theatres with three or fewer screens,” the person said. This means that Eternals will not be shown in smaller theatres. Disney, on the other hand, has requested that their picture receive at least some exposure in these theatres.

Get ready for a crackling action-packed Diwali. #Sooryavanshi releasing on 5th November. #4DaysToSooryavanshi #BackToCinemas pic.twitter.com/o1dT7kdSNk

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) November 1, 2021

It’s going all out to convince exhibitors that Eternals is a big movie that deserves to be seen.”

“It’s probably the first time we’ve seen Disney go all out to ensure that its film gets a good number of showings in theatres,” the person said. They must have been inspired by the popularity of the previous Marvel feature, Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings. They also see enormous potential in the Indian market and believe that Eternals may help them expedite their commercial progress in the nation.” “Disney and Fox have an enviable slate in 2022,” the trade source continued. As a result, the exhibitors are leery of rubbing them the wrong way.”

The exhibitors are suffering in the thick of it all. “Instead of talking across the table and discussing the problem, these studios prefer to arm-twist us,” an exhibitor grumbled. We don’t want to injure either Reliance or Disney, and we want to provide Sooryavanshi and Eternals a reasonable number of shows. “All we can do now is wait and hope for a consensus, as well as reasonable revenue sharing.”

“We never expected this situation would arise in the case of Sooryavanshi and Eternals,” the exhibitor added. Now I’m curious as to what will happen next week when Antim and Satyameva Jayate 2 clash. And there will be a lot more clashes in the future.”

“It’ll be a Happy Diwali for producers and exhibitors,” an industry insider claimed, “it’ll be a Happy Diwali for producers and exhibitors.” This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and we’re confident that all parties involved will reach an agreement shortly. These studios are aware of the situation and are requesting that these films be released, as are the theatres, so that they can earn to their hearts’ content, something they haven’t been able to do since March 2020. Give it a little time, and everything will be alright.”