Entertainment
@B-Town: New ventures in the offing
Mumbai, Feb 25 (IANS) The film business has always been attracting talent as well as entrepreneurs from all over India. This is equally true in the regional film industry and in the Hindi film industry.
There are reports that some new entrepreneurs are entering the film business in the production of films and, mainly, film distribution. This is not new. The film industry has always survived on money from outside.
No filmmaker who earns from his hit films ever ploughs his earnings back into future productions. It is either borrowed money, or money from new sources.
Those were the days of independent producers who made films that used to be then distributed by companies operating circuit-wise.
It was an arrangement that worked very well, just like any other business where a distribution firm passed from one generation to another. In the same manner, production companies carried on the business for years, hits or flops notwithstanding. It was normal for every filmmaker to have regular distributors film after film. If a film flopped, the producer compensated for it in the next film. It was a ‘bhaichara’ (brotherhood) kind of arrangement; sink or swim together.
The circuits boasted of dozens of distribution firms. Even small circuits such as Rajasthan, Central India (CI), and so on, counted many distribution firms. Where are they now, the traditional filmmakers and distributors?
How the film business is conducted changed dramatically when corporate backers of film production entered the scene. Some foreign production companies and a few local corporate houses thought they could do this business as well as the traditional distributors.
Filmmaking budgets went skyrocketing after the arrival of corporate houses. They were not used to thinking small. The filmmakers and the stars adapted instantly to the idea and the actors who charged in lakhs, started demanding and getting crores! The worst was yet to happen. The multiplex chains started deciding the release strategy of films. The traditional distributors, who knew the pulse of the people, were sidelined.
A film that did best by being released across 100-120 screens was suddenly spread to 500 screens and later to as many as 4,000 or more screens. These corporates and the multiplexes thought only in crores. Admission rates in the Rs 5 to Rs 10 range rose to Rs 100-plus to now anything from Rs 300 to Rs 1,600 and even Rs 2,200 per person.
The age-old idiom seems to be playing out: Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs!
The circuit-wise distribution trend changed to simultaneous all-India release of films. Some reputed production houses, which did not want the fate of their films to be in the hands of know-nothing marketing kids of multiplex and corporate houses, decided to hold back.
Yash Raj Films was one of them. They, instead, kept faith in their traditional distributors, giving them the rights to exploit their films on YRF’s behalf or through their own offices in major circuits.
Pen, in league with Murudhar Films, is another old-time firm and Rajshri Pictures, which always had its distribution network across India, continues to function independently.
As things stand today, there are about a dozen all-India film distributors. And, to think that once upon a time, there were twice or thrice that number across all circuits.
Even in the new scheme of things, the martyrdom rate has been high. Those who joined the corporate-style new distribution system and closed shop are Eros, NH Studioz, Ashtavinayak, Dar Motion Pictures, Percept Pictures, Foxstar Studios, Mukta Arts and Cinekorn.
There is some good news, though. Some new investors are stepping in. And for the industry that has always survived on outside investments, it is most welcome news.
The Ullu group, which already has its presence in the OTT domain, now plans to enter film production as well as the all-India distribution business. The rank newcomer is Oswal, the knitwear clothing house from Punjab. A group of ex-staffers of Hollywood studios, who did business in India, soon folded up. Some of these ex-staffers have joined hands to launch a film distribution business on a pan-India basis.
The other two are PVR and Cinepolis. Though they are in the film exhibition business, both will acquire films for nationwide release. PVR was already in the business but its distribution activity was limited to the Delhi-UP circuit, which will now be expanded.
In these times, the new filmmakers who know nothing about the industry, especially distribution, and have yet to venture into making a film, end up contacting lone wolves who offer to book a desired number of screens, say 300 to 600, so the film can be released. Charges range anywhere from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh for the favour!
The end is usually tragic for the newbie filmmaker. There are no buyers for their films and the exhibitors have scant interest in their films.
Pay Rs 99: Come One, Come All
This time, the cinema chains are not waiting for an occasion like the National Cinema Day, which they observed in the last two years. The footfalls at the cinemas are so scarce that they coined a new occasion, Cinema Lovers’ Day on February 23 and 24. On these two days, all tickets were priced at Rs 99 for all shows. This offer, as usual, excluded the reclining- and premium-format sections.
What is different this time is that the days of the offer happened to be Friday and Saturday, when two new films were released: ‘Crakk’ and ‘Article 370’.
Whenever such offers come, the public flocks to the cinemas. Yet, multiplex managements refuse to understand that it is the high admission rates they charge that deter people from coming to the cinemas.
Imagine, if they rationalised the ticket rates permanently, it would be like the good old days.
–IANS
vinod/srb
Mumbai, July 30 (IANS) Renowned celebrity photographer Rohan Shrestha recently completed an exclusive photoshoot with Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds.
This is not the first time Shrestha has clicked pictures of global head-turners, including names such as Lionel Messi, Kevin Hart and Oprah Winfrey.
The photographer, who has worked with Bollywood bigwigs such as Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, ‘White T Series’ features celebrities in simple white T-Shirts, has become particularly iconic, capturing the essence of stars like Oprah Winfrey with striking simplicity.
The series began in 2012 with actor Abhay Deol, reports variety.com.
For Reynolds’ shoot, Shrestha implemented his signature style, creating a series of black and white portraits.
The photographer shared an anecdote about bonding with the star over his early role in “Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place”.
“The first thing I spoke to him about was a show that he was a part of when he was much younger,” Shrestha said.
“I told him about his character Berg and how I used to watch that growing up in India. He laughed and said, ‘Oh, that’s awesome, man, that’s still one of my most favorite roles that I’ve played.'”
Shrestha added that Reynolds is “genuinely nice and funny”.
He added: “He made everybody on the crew laugh. For me personally, I was kind of nervous just because it’s always nervy to shoot someone you’re in awe of.”
–IANS
dc/khz
Mumbai, July 30 (IANS) Playback singers Sonu Nigam and Anup Jalota celebrated their birthdays on Tuesday with fellow singers and composers from the music industry.
On Tuesday, playback singer Shaan took to his Instagram and shared a video of the two singers cutting cakes and celebrating the occasion with their friends and contemporaries.
In the video, artists like Papon, Shaan, Sonu Nigam, Anup Jalota, Anu Malik, Shankar Mahadevan, and Swanand Kirkire can be seen enjoying the celebrations.
Shaan humorously mentioned in the caption that this was Sonu’s 21st birthday celebration. While Sonu’s birthday is on July 30, Anup’s birthday is on July 29.
The singer wrote in the caption: “Wishing my Brother and The Real Rockstar @sonunigamofficial a Very Happy 21st Birthday. Sharing a lovely moment… when @anupjalotaonline Ji and SonuBhai cut each other’s Birthday cake.… (Anupji’s Birthday was Yesterday)… The Love and camaraderie was so Beautiful. Had to share it with You ..:)) (forgot to take a pic with Budday Boy though).”
Sonu and Shaan have been professional rivals yet the best of friends. The two ruled the 1990s during the Golden period of Indie Pop.
Anup Jalota, who was awarded the Padma Shri by the government in 2012, is known for his contributions to the Bhajan genre of Indian music. He is popularly known as the “Bhajan Samraat.”
Indie pop thrived throughout the 1990s, but the scenario changed when the dotcom bubble burst in the early 2000s, leading to the monopoly of mainstream film music. This changed with the 4G revolution in India as the music ecosystem became more democratised.
–IANS
aa/prw
Mumbai, July 30 (IANS) Mira Rajput Kapoor, wife of Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor, who is currently on a family vacation in Europe, on Tuesday, shared a video from Taylor Swift’s concert in Munich, Germany, which she attended with her daughter Misha.
Mira, who is an avid social media user with 4.8 million Instagram followers, posted a reel video showing her enjoying the concert.
She wore an orange top with matching trousers and a denim jacket, while her daughter sported a white abstract design co-ord set.
The post was captioned: “Core memory with my sunshine swiftie… We couldn’t believe it! Mother-daughter trip of dreams #taylorswift #swiftie.”
The video has garnered 787K views.
One fan commented, “goals,” while another said, “Awesome.. will be soo memorable for you both.”
Mira also shared a solo snap of herself from the concert on her Stories section, captioning it: “Smiling at my baby girl shining.”
Shahid and Mira married in July 2015 and have two children, Misha and Zain.
On the professional front, Shahid made his debut with the 2003 romantic comedy film ‘Ishq Vishk’, directed by Ken Ghosh, which also starred Amrita Rao and Shenaz Treasurywala.
The actor has since appeared in films such as ‘Fida’, ‘Dil Maange More’, ’36 China Town’, ‘Vivah’, ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Kismat Konnection’, ‘Kaminey’, ‘Phata Poster Nikhla Hero’, ‘Haider’, ‘Padmaavat’, ‘Kabir Singh’, ‘Jersey’, among others.
Shahid was last seen in the science fiction romantic comedy ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’.
The actor will next be seen as a police officer in the upcoming adrenaline-pumping action thriller, ‘Deva’. The movie also features Pooja Hegde and Pavail Gulati.
Directed by Rosshan Andrrews and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur, the film promises an action-packed roller-coaster ride full of thrills and drama.
It is set to release on February 14, 2025.
–IANS
sp/prw
Entertainment
Karisma Kapoor calls 'IBD 4' contestant 'Magical Swan' for performance on 'Hum Mile Na Mile'
Mumbai, July 30 (IANS) Actress Karisma Kapoor has praised the performance of ‘India’s Best Dancer’ season 4 contestant Vaishnavi Shekhawat on the song ‘Hum Mile Na Mile’, calling her “magical as a swan.”
Paired with choreographer Bharat Ghare, Vaishnavi, who hails from Rajasthan and now resides in Bengaluru, presented a blend of modern contemporary and jazz-funk dance styles to the song ‘Hum Mile Na Mile’ from the film ‘Kisna’, leaving the judges stunned.
The song is from the 2005 period romantic drama ‘Kisna: The Warrior Poet’, written and directed by Subhash Ghai. It stars Vivek Oberoi, Antonia Bernath, and Isha Sharvani in the lead roles.
Karisma commented on Vaishnavi’s performance, saying, “Vaishnavi and Bharat, this was a beautiful performance. Vaishnavi, you are graceful, beautiful, and as magical as a swan.”
Judge Geeta Kapur said: “Vaishnavi, right from the start, I haven’t seen a more dignified dancer than you. There is beauty, dignity, and grace when you dance. It is so pure and pristine; these qualities are ingrained in you, don’t ever lose that.”
After Vaishnavi’s performance, the contestants and choreographers, including host Aniket Chauhan, indulged in a dance cypher, where they danced in the middle of the stage one after the other, showcasing their unique dance moves.
The show recently revealed its ‘Best Barah’, and this weekend’s ‘Grand Premiere’ episode is themed ‘Stage to Stardom’.
The show also features Terence Lewis as a judge.
Out of the ‘Top 12’ contestants, only the best six will have the opportunity to be seated in a special section week after week, where they will have to strive hard to maintain their leadership.
‘India’s Best Dancer 4’ airs on Sony.
–IANS
sp/prw
Mumbai, July 30 (IANS) Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is known for films like ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, ‘Raman Raghav 2.0’, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, and ‘Manto’, is a proud father as his daughter Shora begins her acting journey in London.
The acclaimed actor took to his Instagram stories on Tuesday and shared a picture of his daughter with her friends at an acting workshop.
He captioned the picture: “Shora with her friends. Acting workshop London.”
Nawazuddin’s pride in seeing his daughter follow in his footsteps is palpable.
Witnessing Shora embrace the craft with the same dedication and passion that defined his own career adds a personal and heartwarming chapter to his journey as a father and an artist.
The actor also shared a video of himself enjoying a play with his daughter at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.
During his struggle phase, Nawazuddin conducted acting workshops for aspiring actors to make a living and survive in Mumbai.
Coming from a humble background and currently experiencing a successful phase in his career, Nawazuddin feels great pride in seeing his daughter step into the world of acting.
On the work front, Nawazuddin, who was recently seen in the streaming film ‘Raatu Ka Raaz’, has ‘Oil Kumar’, ‘Adbhut’, ‘Noorani Chehra’, and ‘Sangeen’ in the pipeline.
–IANS
aa/prw
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