Actor Vishal seeks ban on filming public reviews at theatres during first three days of release

Vishal, actor and General Secretary of Nadigar Sangam, on Wednesday (July 16), requested media, theatre owners and exhibitors to prohibit filming of public reviews on theatre premises during the first three days of release. Vishal said this while speaking at the trailer launch of the Tamil film Red Flower.

“On behalf of the Nadigar Sangam, and in the presence of Mr. Kathiresan, Vice President of the Tamil Film Producers Council, I am placing a request to the media and the Exhibitors’ Association: henceforth, for the first three days of a film’s release, that is 12 shows to be precise, please prohibit recording of audience reviews on theatre premises. Please don’t mistake me for this; even if you do, I have to speak about this. The YouTubers are, of course, welcome to ask for reviews from audiences outside the premises of theatres.

Stating that while it’s fair for the channels to compete on who gets to put out the reviews first, Vishal said, “It’d be great if the YouTubers too watch the film inside the theatres, give their reviews first, and then ask the public for their opinions.” The actor added that while film reviews are necessary, “films also deserve a breathing space for those 12 shows.”

Film reviews have become a major talking point in regional film industries. The trend of shooting public reviews for YouTube, which Vishal has now spoken about, has received quite some backlash from many stakeholders in the Tamil film industry.

Earlier in June, the Madras High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by the Tamil Film Active Producers Association that sought a ban on movie reviews for three days from the date of release. The court held that banning online review of movies for the first three days of their theatrical release would be equivalent to interfering with the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.

Further, the actor also revealed that his wedding to actor Sai Dhanshika will not take place on his birthday, August 29, as announced previously. “It’d happen on the first Muhurtham after the inauguration of the Nadigar Sangam building, which is due for completion in two months,” said Vishal.