Kochi, 13 June

Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi on Saturday said he would draw the Central government’s attention to issues raised by film producers, including piracy, challenges posed by OTT platforms and review bombing.

The actor-politician was speaking to reporters after attending a meeting of South Indian film producers here.

Gopi said representatives of the major film industries from the five southern states had first met separately and later invited him to a joint meeting to hear their concerns.

Based on that request, a meeting was held under his chairmanship in Hyderabad in May, followed by another round of discussions in Kochi.

"They discussed the urgent measures the Central government should take for the Indian film industry and highlighted decisions that should have been taken years ago. Several important issues affecting the industry were discussed," he said.

Gopi said he had asked producers to prepare a report detailing their concerns.

"Since I am also part of this industry and familiar with many of the issues being raised, the report, once finalised, will be submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting," he said.

He said there were several serious concerns, including piracy, OTT platforms, and review bombing.

"The report will also be shared with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs so that appropriate follow-up action can be taken. I will also request the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to convene a meeting involving producers, exhibitors, and distributors from across South India," he said.

The Thrissur MP said the growth of OTT platforms during the Covid-19 period had significantly altered the industry's traditional business model.

"As a result, the industry moved away from the traditional systems through which producers recovered their investments. Producers are now facing the consequences of that shift. Issues relating to intellectual property rights are also being examined, and any recommendations in the report will be forwarded to the ministry," he said.

Gopi said piracy networks were constantly changing their methods and operations.

"Their mechanisms have become extremely complex, and even people we would not normally suspect are involved. That is why direct intervention from the Ministry of Home Affairs is necessary. I will place that request before Union Home Minister Amit Shah," he said.

The BJP leader also referred to certification-related issues faced by producers.

"There is a long-standing rule that posters can display a release date only after certification is issued by the Central Board of Film Certification. However, a producer who has invested money— often through borrowed funds—should not be put at risk because of delays in certification. Such concerns are legitimate," he said.

He said many issues, including some that had not been publicly discussed earlier, had emerged during the deliberations.

"Review bombing is as serious a threat as piracy. Matters relating to YouTube have also been discussed," he said.

The minister said these were not individual concerns but issues affecting the entire film industry and therefore required the participation of all stakeholders.

"The seriousness of these concerns has been clearly conveyed. Strong laws are required, along with the determination to enforce them effectively. That is the responsibility of the government," he said.

Regarding internal differences within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), a body of film actors in Kerala, Gopi said internal disputes were natural in any organisation.

"The film industry is not a fully organised sector. I believe these issues will gradually be resolved. Just as nature has its own way of restoring balance, I believe the industry too will undergo a process of organic healing," he said.