How would you describe the first half of 2022 for the box-office?
– It’s been fairly good. Although there have been many flops, some films like K.G.F. CHAPTER 2, RRR, THE KASHMIR FILES, BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2 and GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI have done well, most of them amazingly well. Besides, there’s still a week to go before the first half’s releases can be analysed. Wait for JUGJUGG JEEYO to hit the screens.
We keep saying that the audience today has become very smart and, therefore, mediocre films will not work any longer. I’ve been hearing this since donkey’s years. Can you tell me, when was the audience not smart?
– You are absolutely right. The paying public has always been smart. Anybody who has to spend his hard-earned money on something, is inherently clever enough to weigh the pros and cons before spending it. And that’s true not just for a film ticket priced at Rs. 100 or Rs. 200 but also for even a rupee spent on anything. Only thing, since people have access to more information now, thanks to social media, their smartness has increased. But that happens in any sphere. Besides, today, the audience has a lot of choices in the form of content on OTT platforms, making the competition for films more severe. Otherwise, poor content has never worked, and it never will!
Is it true that Raksha Bandhan will be premiered on an OTT platform?
– Not at all! Zee has acquired all the rights of the film for a phenomenal price and can’t dream of forgoing theatrical release. It will hit the screens on 11th August.