Mumbai, India – The film industry in India experienced a whirlwind year, dominated by blockbusters such as ‘Animal’, ‘Jawan’, ‘Gadar 2’, and ‘Pathaan’. These movies were touted as potential members of the prestigious 500-crore club. Sadly, the media, including social platforms, print publications, and television channels, amplified these claims without verifying their authenticity. The constant endorsement of such exaggerated figures has led people to believe in their credibility. However, a deeper examination reveals that the reality is far from the projected success.
In the past, a gross of 100 crore was considered impressive, but that marker quickly rose to 200 crore. The irony is that a film claiming to be a 100-crore grosser may only generate an actual business of 50 crore. Unfortunately, amidst the buzz surrounding these select few films, hundreds of others struggle to even reach a crore in earnings, often ending up with meager lakhs. The industry witnessed the release of 148 Hindi films in the previous year, with many titles going unheard of.
Unrecognized by the media, one film titled ‘Panch Kriti: Five Elements’ managed to sell a mere 50 tickets, resulting in a lifetime earning of only 10,000 rupees. The loss incurred by the production, which cost approximately 10 crore rupees, illustrates the challenges faced by small-budget films. These films struggle to secure playtime in multiplex chains due to their lack of star power. Adding insult to injury, a trade journalist even dismissed one of these films, leading to a police complaint.
The scale of these losses extends beyond a few films. In fact, there were 90 films that failed to surpass the 1 crore mark. Additionally, many films failed to recoup their production cost of 10 crores. The situation becomes more dire for big-star films, which face losses in the range of crores. For example, ‘Ganpath: A Hero Is Born’, featuring Tiger Shroff, earned a meager 9.7 crores at the box office, while the actor’s fees ranged from 35-40 crores. Similarly, Akshay Kumar’s ‘Mission Raniganj’ garnered only 33 crores, despite Kumar’s charges amounting to 120 crores.
Inequities persist between high-profile films, which attract distributors and financial backing, and their smaller counterparts, which struggle to find support. Many new producers rely on personal funds to release their films, often having to pay 25-30 lakhs to secure a cinema chain for screening. The reliance on OTT platforms for recovery also shatters their hopes, as these platforms have become more discerning in their acquisitions. For instance, the film ‘Panch Kriti: Five Elements’, while performing poorly in theaters, demanded a high price for OTT rights but was ultimately rejected.
As the industry evolves, it becomes evident that fame no longer accompanies entry into the film industry. Success plays a pivotal role in attracting media attention and securing opportunities. Despite the challenges faced by small films, the onus lies on producers to make wiser decisions before embarking on projects that might lead to financial ruin. The discrepancies between industry trends and actual performance reveal a pressing need for a more balanced and transparent representation of film business figures.
(Viewer notices what censor won’t)
The Madurai High Court recently received a plea from a viewer, Raja Murugan, seeking to assess the mental faculties of director Lokesh Kanagaraja, based on his film ‘Leo’s excessive use of violence, drugs, and portrayal of characters involved in illegal activities. Murugan argued that such content could incite violence and demanded a thorough examination by both the Censor Board and the court. However, Murugan failed to appear at the hearing, leaving doubts about the motives behind the plea.
Considering the complaint against the Censor Board, filmmakers of ‘Morrya’ called an urgent press conference, expressing dissatisfaction with the Board’s lack of response to their certification submission. This incident highlights a recurring issue within the industry, where filmmakers face hurdles and delays due to perceived obscurantism. The need for a more efficient and transparent certification process becomes apparent.
In an ever-evolving film industry, the gap between projected successes and actual outcomes raises concerns. Despite the allure of glamour, filmmakers must navigate a tumultuous landscape where small films suffer substantial losses, big-budget films face their own setbacks, and the media often neglects the majority of productions. As the industry moves forward, transparency, fairness, and genuine representation of film business figures will be essential in ensuring sustainability and growth.
Key Statistics:
– 148 Hindi films were released last year, with only a select few gaining significant attention and financial success.
– The success of high-profile films obscure the struggles faced by smaller productions, with many earning less than a crore.
– The reliance on star power often amplifies losses, as their fees can surpass the film’s earnings.
– Small films encounter difficulties securing playtime in multiplex chains due to a lack of star value.
– The growth of OTT platforms does not guarantee financial recovery for struggling films, as platforms have become more selective in their acquisitions.