Post its release in February, Shehzada, starring Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon, failed to attract audiences and perform well at the box office. Now, nearly four months later, it appears that the consequences of the film’s underperformance are being felt by various individuals involved in Rohit Dhawan’s directorial project. It has come to our attention that numerous vendors from different departments are still awaiting payment, with the total amount owed reportedly exceeding Rs 30 lakh.
Following the standard practice in the industry, payments are usually settled in installments within 60 to 90 days after a film’s release. However, in the case of Shehzada, vendors are still awaiting their dues. A member of the film’s direction team, speaking anonymously, emphasized the importance of timely payments from producers. They expressed concerns about the potential consequences of prolonged non-payment, including a loss of trust, which may result in their reluctance to work with the producers on future projects.
Poor State Of Box Office Result In Dismal Financial Condition Of Industry
The current situation sheds light on the practical consequences of the financial constraints faced by Bollywood since 2022. With only a few successful films at the box office in the past couple of years, the industry has experienced a notable decline in revenue and cash flow. A supporting actor reveals that the producers of Shehzada have assured them that the final payment will be made in the upcoming week. They explain that the delay in payment is due to the producers waiting for a substantial subsidy from a foreign shooting location. The actor emphasizes the importance of prioritizing timely payments, stating that if the industry standard is to settle dues within 60 to 90 days, it should be adhered to accordingly.
In situations of tight budgets, filmmakers often resort to cost-cutting measures and prioritize payments based on a hierarchical order. However, the resulting delays in payments have a negative impact on the overall ecosystem of the industry. Another vendor expresses their reliance on timely payments to sustain their business and highlights how the delayed payments can disrupt their operations. They reveal that despite having already paid their own team, they are still awaiting payment of over R20 lakh from the film’s producers.
Allu Entertainment, the production company responsible for Shehzada, released a statement stating that they have settled all dues with the vendors, except for a few disputed bills that have discrepancies, along with some issues related to GST.
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