'99' not to release this Friday

BollywoodHungama / May 05, 2009

Here's piping hot news! Anupam Mittal and Aditya Shastri, the producers of ‘99’, are in the midst of a storm. The duo had decided to defy the producers and distributors' directive [of not releasing a film until and unless the terms with multiplexes are settled] by releasing the film this Friday [8th May]. In fact, several industry people spoke to the two producers, telling them in very clear words that this tantamounts to revolting against the film trade associations, but to no avail. The producers had even issued ads in the papers, announcing the release date of the film. 

Till Monday morning, the producers of 99 were firm on releasing the film this Friday, but it has been decided to push the film ahead by one week. The producers are planning to release the film on 15th May. What happened? "We've been in talks with several industry leaders since the past few days and today [Monday], Ratan Jain [President of A.M.P.T.P.P., the producers' association] also called from Singapore [he's shooting ‘De Dhana Dhan’ with Akshay - Katrina there], requesting us to abide by the rules. That's when we decided to push the film ahead by one week," producer Anupam Mittal confirms. 

Anupam continues in the same breath, "I made it clear to Ratan-ji that we've made the film specifically keeping the IPL in kind. Our film has a cricket backdrop and hence, it's timely and topical, given the fact that the matches are currently being played in South Africa. What's more, an incident that occurred in South Africa in 1999 has also been incorporated in our movie. There's no way out for us." 

But going against the film industry is just not done. "I am all for solidarity. I sincerely believe that the associations are fighting for a cause and I stand by them completely. But what I can do is push the film by one week, not beyond that. I am helpless. I explained my stand to Ratan-ji too," Anupam states. 

Anupam adds, "Everyone feels that the matters [producers versus multiplexes] would get sorted out in the next couple of days. But even if the strike isn't called off, I would go ahead with its release next week. I can't wait till the next big cricket event takes place to release my film."

Source: http://www.screenindia.com