Festival Flop to Franchise Pressure
Word on the trade circuit is that some large Bollywood production house, which was still ruing the fact that a festive release was a complete box-office disaster, has employed an aggressive method of recuperating their costs.
The big festival release — a star-driven, spectacle-laden release — was not liked or regarded by audiences or critics alike, leaving two big-named distribution partners liable for losses in the ₹90 crore region. Losses like that are tough to shake off that quickly.
But rather than quieten the pain of losing money, the studio is now back with the next project, a big-budget comedy sequel from one of its most bankable franchises; it’s distribution cost is capped at ₹145 crore.
Their request? Offset old loss… and pay the remaining ₹55 crore to distribute the new film.
But What If This Film Fails Too?
Here’s where it gets weird. Industry contacts inform us that we are looking at a risk that amounts to offsetting the losses if this new film — from a favourite franchise — has to earn ₹275–₹300 crore globally to just break even.
The last film’s failure has already impacted distributor confidence through the roof, and with OTT platforms holding onto their wallets and with patchy theatrical attendance, this is no small risk.
Business or Bullying?
The big question being asked amongst exhibitors: Is this a collaborative recovery strategy — or a coercive exit strategy for studios?
Whatever the fact, it has got the trade buzzing, with participants calling it “one of the riskier reinvestment pitches in recent memory”. Back-to-back failures in last few years of this production house create issues not just for distributors — but possibly for the franchise brand value as well.
Names? We’re not saying. But if you’ve been keeping an eye on Bollywood buzz lately … you likely know.
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