PVR Inox and Cinepolis are currently facing off with producers over the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) for upcoming films. The disagreement escalated recently when PVR Inox paused advance ticket sales for the much-anticipated film Jolly LLB 3, featuring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi. This happened after its production house, Star Studio18, declined to pay the VPF. Although the studio eventually paid, they did so with some resistance and expressed their intention to continue discussions regarding the fee.
Now, this issue has resurfaced with another film, Single Salma, starring Huma Qureshi. Reports indicate that Star Studio18 has again requested a waiver for the VPF from both PVR Inox and Cinepolis, but this request has not been met. Talks are ongoing, and if an agreement isn’t reached, Single Salma might only be released in non-national theaters across India.
The film is expected to hit approximately 200 screens and includes actors Shreyas Talpade and Sunny Singh alongside Huma Qureshi, who also appeared in Jolly LLB 3.
Back in September, it was reported that Viacom18, which produces Jolly LLB 3, had an agreement with PVR Inox stipulating that they would only pay the VPF until 2024. This led them to request a waiver for the new film. However, PVR Inox replied that since other production houses are still paying the VPF, Viacom18 should do the same.
Additionally, on September 30, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ordered an investigation into PVR Inox regarding their practices concerning the VPF. This came after it was identified that an agreement between PVR Inox and Star Studio18, along with Yash Raj Films, contained sunset clauses aimed at phasing out VPF payments by December 2024. PVR Inox stated that the conditions for implementing these clauses had not been met as long as Yash Raj Films and Viacom18 continued paying VPF to other distributors.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how it will affect the release and distribution of these films.
