Why aren’t there any new Tamil films?

As a Tamil cinema lover, one would be wondering why you haven’t heard of a big film release recently. Or you are probably counting the last time you watched a Tamil film featuring an A-list star in the theatre. Well, the doubt is probably because there hasn’t been any Tamil film release recently. For those of you who are wondering why, here’s the reason. Earlier in March, The Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) on announced that they will go on an indefinite strike protesting against the ‘Virtual Print Fee’ (VPF) charged by digital distribution companies like Qube Cinemas Technologies, and UFO Moviez. The former controls around 1800 screens in South India.

On 12th March, QUBE issued a letter asking TFPC to end the strike based on discounted rates offered by QUBE. In response to the letter, TFPC rejected the proposal. In response, TFPC have requested that they will not use VPF anymore and have also mentioned that they will provide permission to theatres to screen new films once they install DSP players. Producers/distributors pay the VPF towards the investment made by companies like Qube to buy and install digital cinema projection equipment in movie theatres, which happens during the release of a film. Until the come to a common ground no new Telugu and Tamil films will release.