Setting trends

Seated in his cabin in Mukta House at Film City in Mumbai on a sultry May afternoon,Ghai who proudly introduced the lead cast of Love Express,elaborates on what triggered off the revolutionary idea,and how the move could mean happier hours for the cinegoers.

How did the idea of this offer strike you?

Apart from being a writer-director,I study the business of cinema as I also have a film distribution office. My observation over the last few years has been that the multiplexes have given a lot of space to new cinema. These films get very good reviews,but when it comes to doing business,the revenue is very marginal. Critically-acclaimed films like Dev. D and Udaan with their Rs 3-5 crore budget may at the most do a business of Rs 10 crore. And then this revenue is only brought in by about 10 per cent of these films. Not many know that 90 per cent of small-budget films are losing propositions.

But how will this scheme increase business?

See if one film gets a reasonably good review,the other will also benefit,which is good news for the producer. Exhibitors will be more willing to take a chance on smaller films,and theatre-owners will be happy as double tickets will keep their theatres fuller as more families otherwise daunted by the ticket prices,will explore movies in the multiplexes. And the most important thing is,since the second ticket will be valid for seven days,a film will have more than three days to prove a hit or a flop. Then with more such films being made it also means more fresh talent coming into the industry and getting a platform to showcase themselves.

But then this scheme is only suitable for small-budget films.

Precisely! Because the audience is ready to shell out Rs 200 to watch big stars,but they think twice to dig into their pockets for a movie with no stars.

What is the budget of your films and how did you decide on the cast and crew?

Each film was made with a budget of about two crore. The entire cast and the two directors,Sunny Bhambani of Love Express and Shashi Silguda who has directed Cycle Kick are from the first batch of Whistling Wood,which passed out in 2008. I selected them because I had faith in their talents. Both films are being made under my new banner Mukta Searchlight Films which has been created to encourage new talent.

But what about producers who are not working on multiple projects?

In such a case,when a filmmaker has only one release he can collaborate with another,and both can release their films with this offer. Or an independent producer can piggyback his modest fare on a big-budget film. Thats how it is done abroad…two different production houses generally tie up for this kind of thing.

What has been the response of theatre owners and other filmmakers ever since you announced the idea?

I invited exhibitors to my office and showed them both the films and they liked the idea of a double deal with two entirely different genres. Multiplexes like Big Cinemas and Cinemax have also welcomed the idea,and I have several messages from filmmakers lauding the move.

What are you working on next?

Mukta Arts has signed Priyadarshan and Abbas-Mustan for one film each and the cast and other technicalities of the projects are being finalised. I am also working on a few scripts and when I finalise one I intend to direct a film.

Will that be the musical you will make with Salman Khan?

Salman is a close friend and we meet up frequently but I have not approached him with a movie. In fact,I am very close to all my actors like Sanjay Dutt,Jackie Shroff,Anil Kapoor and they are always there for me.

geety.sahgalexpressindia.com