CCI dismisses case against producers of 'Padmaavat' and 'Padman'

Fair trade regulator CCI has disposed of allegations of unfair business practices against seven producers of Hindi films 'Padmaavat' and 'Padman' with regard to release date of the two movies.

Among the producers of Padmaavat are Viacom18 Media and Bhansali Productions, while those of Padman include Twinkle Khanna, Kriarj Entertainment, Side Films India, Cape of Good Films and Hope Productions, according to a CCI order dated June 1.

The CCI order has come on a complaint filed by two New Delhi-based individuals that the makers of the two movies had allegedly colluded to share the market by scheduling different dates for release of their respective movies resulting in controlling the supply of movies in the market and contravening the provisions of Section 3 of the Competition Act.

Section 3 pertains to anti-competitive agreements.

In its order, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said the anti-competitive conduct alleged against the producers of Padman and Padmaavat "does not get established".

"The evidence supplied in the information does not seem to indicate any concerted action while deciding the dates for the release of the movies and accordingly, the Commission observes that the facts of the case do not raise any competition concerns," CCI said.

While noting that it is of "prima facie" opinion that no case of contravention of the provisions of the Competition Act is made out against the producers of the two movies, the fair trade regulator disposed of the case.