Both Yash Raj Films and Ajay Devgn Films are satisfied with the decision passed by Competition Appellate Tribunal last week. The tribunal has ordered an inquiry into allegations by Ajay Devgn Films against Yash Raj Films but also decided that the release of the movie ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ will not be stayed.
Ajay Devgn has previously lodged a complaint with Competition Commission of India (CCI) against YRF stating that the production house was using their dominant stature in the industry to manipulate the exhibitors and distributors to release ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ in more screens than Ajay Devgn’s ‘Son of Sardaar’.
After CCI rejected the petition by ADF, Ajay Devgn moved to Competition Apellate Tribunal with his petition.
Though tribunal ordered an inquiry into the allegations they refused to stay the release of the movie stating that huge economic interests are at stake for both the parties' films and there could be irreparable loss, if the release is stayed.
"We desist from passing any order," it said and noted that "it would not be proper on our part to freeze the agreements" between Yash Raj Films and the single screen film exhibitors. However, the tribunal has issued notices to Yash Raj Films (YRF) along with its distributor entities, following ADF's appeal.
ADF is happy with the verdict passed by the tribunal and claimed victory.
“The Competition Appellate Tribunal has seen merit in our case and has issued notice for enquiring into the anti- competitive activities of YRF about the tie in arrangement to block our movie ‘Son of Sardaar’ on the day of Diwali,” said ADF spokesperson.
But YRF also claimed victory and disagreed with ADF statement.
“We completely refute the press release put out by ADF as the Competition Appellate Tribunal did not find any merit in the contention of ADF because the Tribunal was of the view that ADF has totally failed to establish that the agreements entered into by YRF with the single screens cinemas would cause any appreciable adverse effect on competition,” reads a statement from YRF.
ADF statement further said, “Looking at YRF's statement that only 821 theatres have already executed agreement with YRF for showing ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ on the Diwali day, had a so called tie in arrangement in comparison to 1407 single screens for ‘Ek Tha Tiger’, the Competition Appellate Tribunal did not provide an interim relief. This leaves the balance screens which have not executed agreements with YRF to show ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ till date to be free to exhibit Son of Sardaar without any tie in arrangement of YRF. This would include 586 single screens which had earlier shown ‘Ek Tha Tiger’. Accordingly, we would now be approaching all theatres who have not executed any agreement for showing ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ for exhibiting our movie.”
‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma is the last directorial movie by late Yash Chopra. The anticipation surrounding the movie, which already one most eagerly awaited movie of the year, increased after Yash Chopra demise last month.
The movie ‘Son of Sardaar’ stars Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt and Juhi Chawla in lead roles. The movie is a remake of Telugu movie ‘Maryada Ramanna’.
Both movies will release on November 13.