Malayalam film industry wants action against piracy

KOCHI: Malayalam film industry has urged the Kerala government to crack down on audio and video piracy.
Representatives of Malayalam film industry would meet Chief Minister A K Antony on May 9 and submit a memorandum seeking urgent action against those indulging in piracy, top Malayalam actor Mamooty, president of the Kerala Film Producers Association V C George and MACTA (Malayalam Cine Technicians Association) Chairman K G George told reporters here.
A day after any Malayalam film hits the screen, the pirated video CDs are available in the market, making a severe dent in the industry''s profits, they said.
All sections of the industry would work together to stop the piracy of video CDs, Mamooty said and warned that strong action would be taken against those who continue to indulge in piracy.
According to existing laws, piracy of video CDs was a non-bailable offence. But many were unaware of it, they said, adding, the Tamil film industry was also going through a similar crisis.
With video CDs being available, people were hardly turning up at theatres to watch films, causing huge losses to the industry, they said.