The Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce has put on hold its decision to organise a token strike to press its various demands after Minister for Culture Saji Cherian informed the representatives that the government was ready to discuss the issues raised by the apex body of the Malayalam film industry.

A meeting of the chamber representatives here on Wednesday stated that the meeting with the Minister was likely to be held after March 10. “We are hopeful that the government will consider the demands raised by the chamber and its affiliates that included exhibitors, distributors, and producers favourably,” said B.R. Jacob, president of the Kerala Film Chamber.

The chamber had announced a token strike followed by indefinite shutdown from June 1 onwards at a meeting here on February 6. Mr. Jacob said the Minister had invited the chamber and its affiliates for a discussion on the demands, which included removal of double taxation on movie tickets and issues related to electricity tariff raised by exhibitors.

On the debate over the increasing portrayal of violence in movies, the chamber representatives said it was the responsibility of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take a call on the issue. The chamber or any other film body had no power to refuse screening of a movie that had got certification from the CBFC, he said.