What Led To Sunil Narang’s Resignation?

Well, the resignation of Sunil Narang from the elected post of Telangana Film Chamber’s President has stunned everyone. At least the industry got shocked, and with the proud owner of Asian Cinemas walking out, definitely the whole industry is watching with bated breath. Here’s an inside talk of what transpired the other day.

The other day, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce released a statement saying that producers have agreed to give a percentage to exhibitors on Peddi as well, but only on the hiked price that will be sanctioned by the government. For premiere shows and benefit shows, even special rent is agreed to be paid. If there are no hikes, they will not implement a percentage system for Peddi. However, while Andhra Exhibitors agreed to this almost instantly, Sunil Narang led the Telangana Exhibitors to ask the newly formed committee to resolve the ‘percentage’ issue before the release of Peddi itself.

At a time when these discussions are happening, despite senior producers' warnings not to leak matters from the producers-exhibitors meetings to the press, someone leaked the press note even without Suresh Babu’s signature on it. At the same time, with Telangana distributors pressurising Sunil for a percentage system before the release of Peddi itself, while they think that the matter will not be taken seriously if not now, it looks like Sunil felt a lot of pressure. With Sirish Reddy staying away from meetings as his big brother Dil Raju is involved directly, and with Sunil being the only accessible person, surely he underwent a lot of pressure. Perhaps that’s the reason that made him quit the post.

At the same time, ‘Producers’ are said to have agreed to give 20% of ticket share to theatre owners, but that will be equal to the rentals that are being paid now. The Exhibitors have demanded not less than 40% of the ticket price as their share for the first week, and a median is to be found now. Only if they come to a common ground, things might cool down in Tollywood.