Bangalore: In a new turn to the tussle with producers, theatre owners in Karnataka July 31 decided not to screen any new releases of films of all languages from August 1 to protest against the abolition of services charge.

The decision of cinema hall owners comes in the wake of government recently scrapping service charge of Rs 1.50 per ticket that was being collected by them for upkeep of theatres.

Demanding a share in the charge, producers had locked horns with cinema theatre owners recently and withdrawn films, forcing closure of theatres.

After its efforts to find a solution failed, government last week abolished the service charge.

"It is a question of survival for theatres", a joint statement by Karnataka film exhibitors federation president R S Patil and chairman R R Odugowdar, said.

They said they would close down the theatres till the government met their demands, which also included reduction in entertainment tax for non-Kannada films and restoration of service charge for theatres.

PTI