Why are exhibitors averse to films being granted tax-exemption?

– These days, if a state government grants a film tax exemption, it means that the ticket price will reduce by just 9% because that’s the percentage of SGST payable on a ticket. Compared to the amount of exemption, the hassles and follow-up involved in getting the SGST refund from the state government are too much. You must’ve understood that although the cinemas are not allowed to collect the SGST from patrons on tax-free films, they have to pay the SGST to the state exchequer. The state government later refunds the amount of SGST attributable to the tax-free film, to the cinemas from which it was received. This entire process could take a year or even two years.

Does the runaway success of last week’s The Kashmir Files on the one hand and the failure of the big-budgeted and star-cast Radhe Shyam on the other indicate that the star system is falling apart?

– Not at all! The stupendous success of THE KASHMIR FILES in no way means that star-cast films will not run. What it means is that great content may not always need the support of big stars. The failure of RADHE SHYAM underlines the age-old theory that no amount of star value can make up for poor content in a film.

Have the promotion budgets of films reduced because of the huge backlog of films awaiting release?

– Yes and no! That’s because every film producer needs to wait for the promotion of all films slated for release before it to reduce so that his own film’s promotion can create the maximum impact. That is why the window which a film is getting for promotion has reduced. And no, because the producer has to literally struggle and juggle to make his film’s promotion stand out among the promotion of so many other films and web series. That means, more impactful and, often, costly promotion.

Why did Sajid Nadiadwala not release his Bachchhan Paandey on 4th March instead of 18th March? The film would’ve got a longer playing field. By releasing on 18th March, he will get only one week’s clear playing field as RRR is slated for release on 25th March.

– Your suggestion is right but Nadiadwala may have had his reasons to not get BACHCHHAN PAANDEY on 4th March. As you said, 4th March would’ve worked well for him as JHUND, even before release, was not looked at as a tough opposition for BACHCHHAN PANDEY. This week’s RADHE SHYAM and THE KASHMIR FILES would also not have posed tough competition to BP in its second week. In other words, that release strategy would’ve proved bountiful for the film and, to borrow from the title of Sajid Nadiadwala’s own forthcoming film, it would’ve been like both, Eid and Diwali for Nadiadwala or, in other words, KABHI EID KABHI DIWALI. And also, Holi (as it falls on 18th March, he would have got its benefit in the third week).

Why are producers always wary of promoting small films even if they have strong content?

– It will take some years for the mindset of producers to change. Actually, the public likes to make a beeline for star cast films and hence the initial which small films take is generally slow. Since business is mostly about the first two-three weeks, producers fear that if the film’s collections don’t pick up from the second or third day, the huge promotion cost will further increase their losses. Let’s put it this way: in the case of big films, they try to maximise their profits, but for small films, producers tend to minimise their losses right from the word ‘go’.

With the dubbed Hindi version of Valimai having had to bite the dust two weeks back, would it be right to say that the excitement around South films, born out of the stupendous success of Pushpa: The Rise Part 1, has reduced?

– Why just VALIMAI (dubbed)? This week’s RADHE SHYAM is also a South production which has opened to average houses and is carrying dull reports. Although it is not dubbed (it was shot in two languages — Tamil and Hindi), the fact remains that it is a South film.

What does the success of Gangubai Kathiawadi prove?

– It proves three things: that whatever the situation (50% seating capacity in Maharashtra), a good film will run; that Sanjay Leela Bhansali can bring the women audiences to the cinemas in a film which, before release, was thought to be one which would keep the ladies audience away; and that Alia Bhatt does not need the support of a hero to deliver a Rs. 100-crore film!

What is S.S. Rajamouli making after RRR?

– He is committed to directing a Telugu film with Mahesh Babu in the lead role. That should take a year-and-a-half to two years to complete.

What kind of an opening do you predict for The Kashmir Files?

– The opening may be slow because despite a good trailer, the promotion otherwise has not been very impressive.

People these days are often seen discussing more about web series than films. What does this indicate?

– It means that the lockdown has changed the viewing habits of people, to an extent. But in no way does it mean that cinemas are history.

What is the response to the trailer of Bachchhan Paandey?

– People have liked the trailer. On the strength of the response, it can safely be predicted that the initial of Akshay Kumar’s BACHCHHAN PAANDEY will be bumper.

Is it sensible on the part of the producers of Jersey to release it in opposition of KGF Chapter 2 on 12th April?

– So huge is the backlog of unreleased films that for the next few months, one should not ask whether it is sensible for two big films to release on the same day. There is not much option for producers but to release their big films in opposition of one another.

Why did Karan Johar not release Gehraiyaan in cinemas?

– The deal for the premiere release of GEHRAIYAAN on OTT was finalised much before the film had started. In fact, Karan Johar had right from before the film went on the floors, decided to make it for OTT rather than for cinemas, because of its bold content. The film may probably not have got the response which it is getting, had it been released theatrically first.

Among Gangubai Kathiawadi, RRR and Bachchan Pandey, for which film is the craze the highest?

– For RRR.

Do you think, the release date of Laal Singh Chaddha or Raksha Bandhan will be changed to avoid a clash on 11th August?

– No, the release date of neither film will be changed because of the impending clash. Aamir Khan announced the new release date of 11th August for LAAL SINGH CHADDHA after being aware that RAKSHA BANDHAN would be coming on the same date. And after Aamir’s announcement, Akshay Kumar and Aanand L. Rai underlined that they would not be changing the release schedule of their RAKSHA BANDHAN. So a change in release date of either of the two films for avoiding a clash is out of the question.

On the one hand, we hear trade people saying that novelty in subject is the need of the hour, and on the other, films like Badhaai Do, with such novel subjects, don’t even take an opening. So then what?

– Novelty in subject does not mean that you can make a film based on a radically different subject and hope that the film will take a flying start. The filmmaker has to also be sure of the audience he is catering to. The dull initial of BADHAAI DO today means that India is still not prepared for films in which the lead actors play gay characters.

Both the big films — Gehraiyaan and Badhaai Do — released today, have extremely bold subjects. While the former abounds in swear words and intimate scenes, the latter has the lead actors playing gay characters. Does that mean, this is the new film language?

– No, it does not mean so. Even now, we have traditional subjects being tackled in films. But yes, what it definitely means is that bolder and bolder films are being attempted. It is just a coincidence that both such films have released on the same day. One more point: if you think, GEHRAIYAAN has the F-word used in abundance, you may not be aware that youngsters in real life today use this word as liberally or almost as liberally as has been depicted in the film. Oftentimes, we forget that our films are a reflection of society.

Most of the producers have announced the new release dates of their films. But the producers of Jersey are silent. Why is it so? Is the film headed for an OTT premiere?

– No, that’s not true. An announcement of the new release date for JERSEY will be made very shortly.

After watching the trailer of Gangubai Kathiawadi, do you think, it will take a good start?

– It will take a flying start. Among other things, Alia Bhatt’s superb portrayal of the character will soon become a talking point, now that the trailer has been released.

Why are the makers of RRR constantly changing their release date?

– There are a hundred points to be considered when there’s as big a film involved as RRR. Even for small films, getting an appropriate release date can often be a challenge. Times are such that one doesn’t know when complete normalcy will return, making the task of finalising a release date even more difficult.

The new release dates of films like RRR, Radhe Shyam, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Attack (now retitled Attack – Part 1), The Kashmir Files and Jhund have been announced. However, there is no release date for Jersey as yet. Also, Yash Raj Films has not announced the new release dates for Jayeshbhai Jordaar, Shamshera and Prithviraj as yet. Why?

– Probably, the producers of JERSEY, JAYESHBHAI JORDAAR, SHAMSHERA and PRITHVIRAJ are waiting for a clearer picture (as far as cinema shows and other release dates are concerned) to emerge before they finalise their release dates.

Which will be the first major release in cinemas, now that cinemas in Delhi have reopened?

– Perhaps, BADHAAI DO, starring Rajkumar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar and produced by Junglee Pictures. It was announced for release on 11th February, and luck seems to be favouring the producers.

Will Kichcha Sudeepa’s Vikrant Rona (dubbed) release on 24th February?

– No, it has been postponed. There is no new release date as yet.

What do you think of the clash of RRR and Bachchan Pandey on 18th March?

– As of now, both the films seem likely to be set to clash at the box-office on 18th March. Here, the comment made by Farhad Samji, director of BACHCHAN PANDEY, is worth reproducing. Says he, “I know, one should not take panga with RRR (Rajamouli, Rajkumar Hirani and Rohit Shetty) but we have no alternative. Therefore, we will be going ahead with releasing our film on 18th March.”

What did you think of the trailer of Karan Johar and Viacom18’s Gehraiyaan?

– Bold and beautiful!

Is it a good idea to release the Hindi dubbed version of Allu Arjun’s Telugu film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo in North India on 26th January in the wake of the success of the star’s Pushpa: The Rise Part 1 in Hindi (dubbed)?

– The film’s release has been postponed. The new release date is not yet known. But to answer your question, it was a good idea to encash on the success of PUSHPA (dubbed) but not such a good idea to release ALA VAIKUNTHAPURRAMULOO with the same title as it is difficult to pronounce and its meaning is impossible for the Hindi-speaking audience to understand. Also, the film needed proper pre-release promotion. So, it is good that the film has been postponed.

When will Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi release now?

– Maybe on the same date, 18th February. The producers just might be able to release it on schedule if things on the Coronavirus front improve in India. Basically, if cinemas in Delhi reopen, the producers might think in terms of releasing it on 18th February itself instead of postponing it.

Is it true that S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR will now release in June?

– Not true. No decision regarding the new release date of RRR has yet been taken by its producers. Hence, any news about the fresh release date is nothing but speculation!

When box-office collections of films are accessible to all in today’s times, why is there so much variation in people’s interpretation of hits and flops?

– Statistics can be interpreted in not just one way but in different ways. Producers and those connected with the film will always try to project that their film is a hit by even misrepresenting box-office figures when the need arises, and that is understandable because the film is their baby. Also, if you are talking about different journalists using the same box-office figures to arrive at the status of a film (flop, debacle, hit, super-hit, average, above average, etc.) and yet differing in their interpretations, you should know that availability of factual data is one thing and interpretation of that data is quite another thing. You will be surprised to know that more than 90% of the media and even more than 50% of the trade people do not understand the difference between gross collections, net collections, distributor’s shares, etc.

Who in the film trade are the ones who have been the most badly hit by the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus?

– Of the three sectors, it is the exhibition sector which has been most badly hit because the release of new films has almost come to a halt. Producers and distributors, whose films were due for release in January and February, are also very adversely affected due to the last-minute postponements and the uncertainty factor. If you talk of one distributor, it must probably be Pen Marudhar Cine Entertainment which is the most affected. That’s because it was to release four films from December last year to February this year. Of those films, while three (JERSEY, RRR and ATTACK) stand postponed because of the Omicron variant and the consequent restrictions on cinemas across India, the release of the fourth, GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI, on 18th February, is still uncertain.