Kabali Fight Continues In Karnataka!

With the release of “Kabali” on 22nd July, many Star hotels in Bangalore have turned out to be the cinema theaters. Tickets are being sold at Rs. 1300 and for the first three days, the hotels will screen the film. JW Marriott, Crowne Plaza, Royal Orchid and The Lalit Ashok are gearing up to screen the movie. Now, the theater owners protest against the screening. Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerces former President, KV Chandrashekar stated "We have heard that the tax department has been approached and permission has been sought by calling the screening an 'event.' But this is completely illegal. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) issues a certificate for 'theatrical release' and not for release in any hotel. Rules say that existing buildings to be considered a film theater have to get approval from five different departments and it takes six months. Tomorrow, someone will say, let me screen a film in Sri Kanteerava Stadium and fill up 10,000 people. Just to make a quick buck, you cannot screen films anywhere you want. What will happen to regular theaters if this is allowed?" However, Lahari Velu stated that he had done nothing illegal and he also said that he has paid the tax legally and has acquired permission.