Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association threaten to not release any film of the production house if Jyotika starrer Ponmagal Vandhal gets a direct to digital release : Bollywood News

Owing to the pandemic and lockdown, the releases of several films have become uncertain. Not knowing when the theatres will be back in business, many producers are considering releasing their films directly on OTT platforms. There are reports that Jyotika starrer Ponmagala Vandhal produced by Suriya's 2D entertainment might skip its theatrical release for a digital release.

Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association threaten to not release any film of the production house if Jyotika starrer Ponmagal Vandhal gets a direct to digital release

It is said that Amazon Prime has acquired the streaming rights of the film and it might be available on the streaming platform starting the first week of May. While there has been no official announcement, the reports seemed to have not gone down well with Tamil Nadu theatre owners. The general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association, R Pannerselvam, condemned the reports and said films made for theatrical release must not directly release on OTTs.

In a video on Facebook, Pannerselvam is heard saying that the association will not release any of the films by the production house and the companies involved with them if the films go directly on OTT. Pannerselvam claimed that the film's producer has refused to change his decision regarding the release. “They can release all their films on OTTs. Our theatres don't need their films," he has said.

Meanwhile, Ponmagal Vandhal was scheduled to release on March 27 and is directed by JJ Frederick.