Cineplex pulls ‘Kabali’ from GTA theatres after suspicious attacks: distributor

Tamil film enthusiasts in the GTA are frustrated by Cineplex’s decision not to release a highly-anticipated movie later this month.

It’s rumoured the entertainment giant has banned all Tamil movies in their GTA cinemas due to three separate attacks at Tamil movie showings last April.

Police believe the same suspect is responsible for releasing a substance with a noxious odour inside theatres in Mississauga, Scarborough and Brampton while Tamil movies were playing. No one was injured, but Cineplex immediately pulled Tamil movie Theri after the attacks.

“We continue to take precautionary measures,” Cineplex spokeswoman Sarah Van Lange told CityNews.

Kabali is set to be released on July 22 and features Indian superstar Rajinikanth as its main character. The trailer for the film has gathered over 24 million views since April.

Tamil film critic Sudarsh Krishnan said his community is incredibly frustrated with Cineplex’s actions.

“It’s like racial profiling pretty much, except it’s a theatre doing this,” Krishnan said. “There’s no other alternative, you know, Cineplex has a monopoly over all the movies as a multiplex. It’s like we don’t have any other option.”

Cineplex has failed to offer a clear statement to the media about the status of Tamil movies at its GTA cinemas or confirm that Kabali will not be shown. However, both Krishnan and the distributor say Cineplex told them the film will not run.

“Given this is an ongoing investigation, we will not be providing any further comment,” Cineplex said in a statement to CityNews.