In 2023, the president of the Tamil Nadu Theater Owner and Multiplex Association - Tiruppur Subramaniam, went after Lalit Kumar of 7 Screen Studios twice, and laid out one too many accusations against the film producer/distribuor. First Subramaniam said that Lalit as a distributor of Vijay starrer Varisu was projecting exaggerated box-office numbers.

More recently Subramaniam called out Lalit for cornering single screen theater owners in Tamil Nadu, into signing Leo agreement with a high distribution share of upto 80%. Subramaniam also accused Lalit of spending Rs. 5 Cr. for Leo proxy bookings overseas, and said that the film's Rs. 461 Cr. box-office was announced 'according to producer's convenience'.

Lalit Kumar in an interview with a Tamil YouTube channel called Rednool has addressed all these allegations, and given his side of the story. Here's what the producer had to say:

On Leo's Rs. 461 Cr. box-office in the first 7 days: 

"Those who watched Leo on first day of release felt critical about the 2nd half. But they liked the film after watching it the second time or third time. Which is why the movie has done the numbers it has done. Rs. 461 Cr is the actual number. I do not have the need to project a manipulated number. What numbers Leo has done is what has been said. This is what Leo has done worldwide in 7 days." 

Pala rajakala pathachu ma 🔥
Nee orasama odidu 🤜🤛

461 CRORES+ - HIGHEST TOTAL GROSS COLLECTION IN THE HISTORY OF TAMIL CINEMA (7 DAYS) 😎

WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE RAMPAGE 🫡#LeoIndustryHit #Thalapathy @actorvijay sir @Dir_Lokesh @trishtrashers @anirudhofficial @duttsanjay… pic.twitter.com/11uohwAfAR

— Seven Screen Studio (@7screenstudio) October 26, 2023

On Demanding 80% Distribution Share From Theater Owners

"I was the distributor of Varisu and the 75% distribution share terms I had used for that film, is what I have asked for Leo too from 96% of theater owners (in Tamil Nadu). Leo was released in 1000+ screens in Tamil Nadu. Of these 1000+ screens, the ones which fall under C centers i.e. single screen non- AC theaters - we had asked for 80% distribution share from them alone. After Tiruppur Subramaniam stated his claims, I went and checked. We have asked for 80% from 42 theaters. 

 

These 42 theaters are distributed on the borders or are present in 4-5 numbers in a single area. In such theaters, the audience (footfalls) reduces from day 2 (of a new film's theatrical run) itself...

 

...In addition to these distributor terms which is a direct income for theaters, they also make an indirect income from canteen (food and beverage), parking and bookmyshow (online ticket booking portal). Just because I'm giving them the content are these businesses running for them. Otherwise that income is also cut for them.

 

For example BookMyShow allots Rs. 16 to theater owners, for every Rs. 32 they make off selling a ticket. If I had wanted I could demand Rs. 8 from this Rs. 16, for theaters are making money from BookMyShow off my content. But I don't do that. Neither do any of the producers. Because we differentiate between a theater owners' business and a producer's business. Those who talk terms like Tiruppur Subramaniam are taking this in a negative direction, which I feel is very wrong."  

 

On Tiruppur Subramaniam Vs Lalit Kumar

 

"During Varisu, brother Subramaniam (as a theater owner) had given 60% distribution share during first week, 55% during second week and flat 50% from third week onwards. For Leo I have changed the terms (for Subramaniam's theaters) to 60% (first week), 55% (second week), 50% (third week), 45% (from 4th week). Which means I have demanded less for Leo when compared to Varisu.

 

I am not sure why he is so angry or has been talking against (me). He asked for Leo Coimbatore area rights. Maybe it is because I didn't give him that.  

 

(On Proxy Bookings) Brother Subramaniam also said that I have spent Rs. 5 Cr. for buying tickets..Rs. 50 Cr. would have been a more believable claim. Why would I go and spend a mere Rs. 5 Cr. in an area where Leo is already doing well.

 

What has happened is Subramaniam came to Chennai for a meeting with producers but that meeting got cancelled. So instead he called all YouTube channels and gave interviews..It has come to the level that there is no difference between him, who claims to have spent 40 years in the cine industry building a life and career and a critic who gives negative reviews for movies." [Editor's note: Negative reviews for movies are given even by the most meritorious film critics]

 

On G. Dhananjayan, AGS Cinemas & Diwali Run

Besides Tiruppur Subramaniam, producer G. Dhananjayan has also been critical about Leo and the high distribution share demanded from theater owners.  Even the AGS group which is producing Vijay's next movie Thalapathy 68 had not signed Leo to screen in their popular theater chain till last minute. Lalit had this to say about the same, 

"When I started Leo, different people ended up with different expectations from me. Dhananjayan Sir wanted me to (co) produce a film with (actor) Jai. I told him that there was no chance for that since I was doing Leo. This might be the reason why he has been speaking against Leo. I cannot be going around fulfilling everyone's expectations. 

 

Just like Tiruppur Subramaniam's theaters, Leo will be running at 45% distribution share by Diwali. So theater owners in the place of new releases like Jigarthanda 2 or Japan which will have a 55% distribution share, will try and hold Leo for that 10% margin. Even to (multiplexes like) PVR and AGS Cinemas, we have given at only 55%. AGS had given 57.5% (distribution share) during Varisu. I expect Leo to hold in atleast 200 screens by Diwali."