No one wants to go into a battlefield and come out bleeding," said film-maker Mahesh Bhatt, but nevertheless, the United Forum of Bolly...
No one wants to go into a battlefield and come out bleeding," said film-maker MaheshBhatt, but nevertheless, the United Forum of Bollywood
Producers and distributors are
tightening their belts in preparation for what could well be a long and bloody war with multiplex owners.
Producers and distributors are
tightening their belts in preparation for what could well be a long and bloody war with multiplex owners.
Distributors said that if the multiplex lobby fails to meet their demand for equal percentage in ticket sales, they are prepared to stop all releases after April 3 this year. This is despite the fact that the industry's performance has been rather lacklustre this year, and quite a few releases are slated for a summer opening.
"I'd estimate that the Hindi film industry has lost Rs 50 crore so far," said one trade expert. "Chandni Chowk to China, Luck By Chance, Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaaye, The Stoneman Murders, Chal Chala Chal, Victory and Delhi 6 have fallen by the wayside like rolling pins," he added
Upcoming releases include Mukesh Bhatt's Jashn, Sanjay Gupta's The Great Indian Butterfly, Yash Chopra's New York, and Subhash Ghai's Paying Guest and all slated for a post April 3 release.
"If talks with the multiplexes fail; we will be in a soup," said Gupta.
"Let's not forget the money spent on media and publicity promotion," said Prabhat Chaudhary of the marketing agency, Spice. Yearly, this amount averages Rs 350 crore.
Loss of revenue will hit the media badly, be it print, radio or television.
A member of the United Forum said, "If talks fail, we will lose at least another Rs 500 crore, assuming that the strike goes on for three months."
COMMENTS