Majority of producers in the Malayalam film industry declared that they do not prefer online release for their movies amid COVID-19 outbreak. As the theatres remain closed amid the pandemic, the release of many movies were postponed for over three months. Following this, a few producers including Vijay Babu announced OTT release for their movies. Vijay Babu announced that his movie ‘Sufiyum Sujathayum’ starring Jayasurya-Aditi Rao Hydari will be released via Amazon Prime Video.

This announcement irked theatre owners and they declared that they will boycott movies of the producer and actor if they go with the online release. Following this, the Producers’ Association forwarded a letter to 66 producers whose movie releases were postponed due to COVID-19. In the letter, the association asked the producers to inform of their interest on OTT release within May 30.

Responding to this letter, majority of the producers informed that they want to release their movies only in theatres.

Last week, various associations in the film industry had convened a meeting to discuss the online release of movies. The meeting observed that the online release of movies should not be dropped completely. Meanwhile, the meeting decided that a decision will not be taken without consulting other associations in the industry.

It is hinted that as the producers declared their stance, a decision will be taken on online release after another meeting.