CCTV cams to be fixed in theatres to curb piracy

Chennai

To combat piracy, Tamil cinema producers and theatre owners have resolved to install CCTV cameras in movie halls, saying no films would be provided for screening to those exhibitors not complying with the decision.

The move comes in the wake of the Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC) coming across instances of movies being pirated in certain cinema halls in the state. TFPC has since blacklisted such theatres against future releases.

A joint statement from TFPC and the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners’ Association on Wednesday said it has been decided that CCTV cameras would be installed inside and outside all theatres. A meeting of the office-bearers of two bodies attended by TFPC President, actor Vishal Krishna, among others on Tuesday, adopted resolutions in this regard, it said.

Theatres should install CCTV by November 6, on the day of Deepavali, when a number of new films hit the screens, it said. “It has been decided that films will not be given to theatres which don’t install CCTV cameras by November 15,” it added.

Tamil star Vijay’s ‘Sarkar,’ directed by AR Murugadoss, is among the films slated for Deepavali release. While movie-goers would be ‘compulsorily’ checked for video cameras in their possession while entering a cinema hall, it has been decided to screen an awareness video about legal action against possible piracy, it said.

Further, two people would be appointed for monitoring during a show, while a panel comprising members from the two associations would be formed to look into any related issues, it added.

The multi-million rupees Tamil cinema industry has been grappling with the issue of piracy, with newly released films instantly being illegally released online, besides their CDs and DVDs being easily available in the open market.

Incidentally, a few years back, popular actor R Sarathkumar’s ‘Jaggubhai’ had been uploaded on the internet even before the film’s theatrical release, shocking the Tamil cinema industry.