Overview
- Producers from Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema met Sunday in Hyderabad to launch the South Indian Film Producers Association and a high-level steering committee.
- SIFPA rejected exhibitors’ push for a fixed eight-week gap before streaming and told members not to sign OTT-window commitment letters, citing recent release embargoes reported in Tamil Nadu.
- The new body scheduled a joint meeting with producers, exhibitors and distributors for May 10 in Hyderabad to seek a common plan on OTT timing and theatrical terms.
- Producers argue they bear the financial risk and need flexibility to close streaming deals, while theatre owners say a set window keeps audiences from skipping cinemas for quick OTT releases.
- The standoff could delay releases and cut cash flow across South India if talks fail, with smaller films that rely on streaming money most exposed.