Strikes cripple the box-office

The on-going bus operator’s strike and students agitation in Kerala has dealt a major blow to Malayalam film collections. All recent releases are virtually running to empty houses.

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Mammootty’s Aparichithan is badly hit in smaller stations while Jayaram’s Mayilattam that was an average hit has also fallen. But the fate of Kamal’s Manjupole Oru Penkutty was shocking!

In main stations its daily collections was pathetic and the Kerala Film Chamber (KFC) intervened and asked the theatres not to stop the screening of the film. Its distributors “Swargachitra” Appachan also put pressure saying that he will not give Vettam to be released there if the theatres stop screening the film.

In Kerala majority of ladies come to see a film by bus and with the ongoing bus strike how can they reach the theatres? And what guarantee do they have of reaching back home safely as student agitators continue to pelt stones at the slightest provocation.

In Kerala movie-going has become highly risky!