The Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce has also announced a token strike to suppress its various demands in which the removal of double taxation on the movie ticket and the rising cost of filmmaking and dip in the box-office collection Is included. (Representative image) | Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has asked exhibitions and distributors to seek their prior permission before going forward with the release of films since March 25, 2025.

The move came from June 1 on a strike call by a combination of manufacturers, exhibitors and distributors in the Malayalam film industry amid a widespread crack between film bodies.

KFCC also announced a token strike to suppress its various demands, including removing double taxation on the movie ticket and the rising cost of filmmaking and the box-office collection includes a pay cut by leading actors in view of the dip.

Film Chamber General Secretary Saji Nanthiatu said on Wednesday (February 26, 2025) that the decision to seek its prior approval before the release of films from March 25 was taken to “protect” the “interests of his colleagues”, in which the exhibitions Including and distributor.

“Before the release of a film, exhibitions and distributors entered into an agreement. We do not want them to participate in legal hurdles, if they are not able to screen films in view of the proposed strike, ”he said.

He denied reports that the step was the Vice President of Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA). Suresh Kumar was part of the growing crack and producer Antony Perumbur, whose film L2: Empuran Mohanlal starring Mohanlal is scheduled to release on 27 March.

Shri Perumbavur questioned the announcement of the indefinite strike called by Mr. Suresh Kumar on 6 February. He also said the decision “unilateral and without the necessary discussion within the body of the producers”.

KFCC sent a communication to Mr. Perumbavur, in which he was asked to launch the social media post, in which he questioned Mr. Suresh Kumar’s announcement about the film strike.

Shri Nanthiatu said that a meeting of KFCC will be held on March 5 to take a decision on the date of the token strike in Koshi. He said that it would also discuss follow -up action on the notice issued to Mr. Perumbavur.