Bengaluru, DHNS: With the ongoing Cauvery water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, it is the film industry which is facing collateral damage.

The screening of Tamil movies have been discontinued in Bengaluru since September 5 and new releases are not coming into theatres here.

Exhibitors have decided not to screen Tamil movies as a precaution, in the interest of safety of movie-goers and property.

“It is a very sensitive issue and when discussions are ongoing between governments and, matter is in the court, one cannot predict what people will do.” said Thomas D’Souza, a theatre owner and former president, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).

It is unclear when the screenings will resume. Another theatre owner, who did not want to be named, said, “There are many big movies lined up for release before Diwali such as Thodari, starring Dhanush and Remo, starring Sivakarthikeyan. Exhibitors and distributors are already facing huge losses. If the situation continues, we will lose revenue.”

According to him, distributors who purchased the rights to show Vikram-starrer Iru Mugan in Karnataka have incurred a loss of Rs 2.5 crore. Individual exhibitors have incurred losses between Rs 5 and 10 lakh and the Karnataka government has lost Rs 2 crore tax revenue.

A few theatres were braving the possibility of attacks and screening Tamil movies. But after the Cauvery Supervisory Committee on Monday directed Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu daily till September 30, they too have discontinued shows.

Sa Ra Govindu, the president of KFCC, said that the screenings would resume when the Cauvery dispute is settled and the situation turns normal again.