Analysis of the first 6 months of 2012

By Anant Mathur (August 06, 2012)

The first 6 months are over and the final collections are in, so let us see how the first half of 2012 fared at the box office. Unlike 2011, the start of 2012 was a terrible one for Bollywood - the first money maker didn't arrive untill late February when Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Dsouza starrer "Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya" managed to recover its cost and made a slight profit for its distributors. 

The first release of 2012 was the Mega-budget (70 crores) Multi-starrer "Players" - the film only managed to rake in approximately "29 crores" in its entire box office run. The final release of January - "Agneepath" started out well, but lost all steam after the first week, and though it crossed the 100 crores mark it fell shy of making a profit for its distributor. 

It was all downhill from there, the next big release was Karan Johar produced "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu" starring Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan, but it too failed at the box office. Finally on March 9th we had the first big hit of the dismal first quarter of 2012 - Kahaani starring Vidya Balan (made at a budget of 8.5 crores) earned 47.23 crores at the box office - giving its distributors 23.04 crores in revenue and handing them a generous profit of 14.54 crores. 

On April 20th, two films were releases (Vicky Donor and Hate Story) and surprisingly both proved to be money makers for their distributors in the midst of IPL matches - I bet all the critics are shocked and confused. In fact, Vicky Donor made on a budget of about 5 crores provided it's distributor with 10.32 crores in profit. Like I've always said, it doesn't matter when a film is released as long as it's made for a low budget and has a viable story it will succeed.

The biggest hit of first half didn't arrive till the first week of June when Rowdy Rathore became the highest grossing film of the year by crossing the 130 crores mark in nett collections. 

A total of 62 films were released in the first half of 2012. IPL matches began in early April and lasted until the end of May. During this period several medium and large budget films were released and 3 films (Hate Story, Vicky Donor and Jannat 2) were able to recover their cost or make a proft. Only 9 of 62 films were profitable for distributors - that's a 14.52% success rate. Out of the 9 only 3 were hits, the others just managed to recover their cost. 

Below are the films that were released in the first 6 months of 2012 and their box office performance:

HITS
 

Kahaani
Cost: 8.5 Crores
Revenue: 51.71 Crores (One Up Entertainment)
Distrubutor's Share: 23.04 Crores (approx.)
Profit: 14.84 crores
ROI: 174.59% (approx.)
 

Vicky Donor
Cost: 5 Crores (Eros)
Revenue: 37.31 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 15.32 Crores (approx.)
Profit: 10.32 Crores
ROI: 206.40%
 

Rowdy Rathore
Cost: 40 Crores (UTV)
Revenue: 132.49 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 60.45 Crores (approx.)
Profit: 15.45 Crores
ROI: 34.33% (approx.)

Films that were able to recover their cost in the first half of 2012 include: 

Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya, Hate Story, Jannat 2, Ferrari Ki Sawaari, Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1, Maximum.


FLOPS
 

Players
Cost: 70 crores (Viacom 18 Motion Pictures)
Revenue: 28.93 crores
Distrubutor's Share: 13.69 Crores (approx.)
Loss: 56.31 crores
 

Agneepath
Cost: 60 Crores (Dharma Productions)
Revenue: 122.60 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 58.32 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 1.68 Crores
 

Gali Gali Chor Hai
Cost: 12 Crores (One Up Entertainment)
Revenue: 4.84 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 2.37 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 9.63 Crores
 

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu
Cost: 36 Crores (UTV)
Revenue: 39.73 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 19.11 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 16.89 Crores
 

Ekk Deewana Tha
Cost: 15 Crores (Fox Star Studios)
Revenue: 4.70 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 2.32 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 12.68 Crores
 

Jodi Breakers
Cost: 10 Crores (Top Angle Productions)
Revenue: 9.42 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 4.61 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 5.39 Crores
 

London Paris New York
Cost: 14 Crores (Fox Star Studios)
Revenue: 6.41 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 3.13 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 11.87 Crores
 

Paan Singh Tomar
Cost: 10 Crores (UTV)
Revenue: 15.59 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 6.85 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 3.15 Crores
 

Agent Vinod
Cost: 60 Crores (Eros)
Revenue: 43.29 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 21.12 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 38.88 Crores
 

Housefull 2
Cost: 75 Crores (Eros)
Revenue: 109.10 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 49.38 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 25.62 Crores
 

Tezz
Cost: 40 Crores (Eros)
Revenue: 15.42 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 7.61 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 32.39 Crores

Ishaqzaade
Cost: 25 Crores (Yash Raj Films)
Revenue: 44.18 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 20.19 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 4.81 Crores

Arjun: The Warrior Prince
Cost: 30 Crores (UTV, Disney)
Revenue: 1.52 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 0.75 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 29.25 Crores

Shanghai
Cost: 18 Crores (PVR Pictures)
Revenue: 19.73 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 9.54 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 8.46 Crores

Teri Meri Kahaani

Cost: 30 Crores (Nadiawala Grandson Entertainment)
Revenue: 26.18 Crores
Distrubutor's Share: 12.70 Cores (approx.)
Loss: 17.30 Crores

Other Notable FLOPS during the first half of 2012 include:
Chaalis Chauraasi, Ghost, Sadda Adda, Tutiya Dil, Staying Alive, Married 2 America, Diary Of A Butterfly, Will You Marry Me?, Chaar Din Ki Chandni, Akkad Bakkad Bam Be Bo, Chaurahen, Love Possible, Say Yes To Love, Zindagi Tere Naam, Bumboo, Jhansi Ki Rani, Key Club, Ab Hoga Darna Unlimited, Bittoo Boss, Chhodo Kal Ki Baatein, Adventure of Haunted House, Life Ki Toh Lag Gayi, Dangerous Ishhq, Department, Chhota Bheem, Khud Ko Kar Buland, Mr. Bhatti On Chutti, Chutki Bajaa Ke, Love Recipe, Love Wrinkle Free, MLA, Rakhtbeej, Yeh Khula Aasmaan, Chakradhaar, Qasam Se Qasam Se, Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai, Supermen Of Malegaon, Vidhata Tere Khel Hai Nirale.

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Batman Incorporated!

 By Anant Mathur (July 28, 2012)

Since I have a Batman theme going on in my posts this month it's only fitting that the months last post end with a bit of news about the Dark Knight.

If you're a comic book collector and/or an avid reader of them you would know that NEW comic books are released every Wednesday. Last week, on July 25, 2012, DC Comics was suppose to release the third installment of its ongoing comic book series Batman Incorporated. But after the recent catastrophe in Colorado, DC comics has requested all comic book retailers to delay the sales of Batman Incorporated #3 until August 22. It was originally reported as being delayed 'till end of August by DC, but it was recently discovered that the book had already shipped and DC was requesting all comic book retailers to delay the book's sales themselves. The issue was asked to be delayed by the publisher after the Aurora, Colorado, shooting last week. The issue contains some gun-related violence that could be viewed as insensitive in the wake of the mass murder. By the time of the shooting the deliveries of Batman Inc #3 had already shipped.

Before I knew about the delay, I did go looking for it but discovered that retailers are not allowed to sell it for another month even though they have it in stock; hence this post. An interesting approach, by DC Comics, to say the least.

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

The Dark Knight...Rises!

By Anant Mathur (July 22, 2012)

If you're like me you probably like to see good movies on opening day or weekend. Well, that was the case with me and The Dark Knight Rises - Don't worry I won't give anything away that will likely happen in another post in a few months. 

I've been a big fan of the Nolan brothers (Christopher and Jonathan) ever since they wrote there first film together in 2000 - you may have heard of it - it was called Memento and it forever changed the way film stories were told. Since Memento, I've watched every film the Nolan brothers have been involved with (including Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Insomnia and Inception, etc.).

My interest in the Nolan brothers' work goes beyond films. Person of Interest is currently my favourite TV Show, it debut in 2011 and was created by Jonathan Nolan. So, as you can imagine, I was really excited about watching The Dark Knight Rise. The expectations were high and for the most part they were met. I found The Dark Knight Rises to be a little long, but I guess it had to be in order for them to tie up all the loose ends. Hey, at least they didn't make it into 2 movies and charge me twice for two 1.5 hrs movies like some greedy film makers.

As expected the special effects in The Dark Knight Rises will amaze you. The action sequences are eye pleasing and the dialogue is really witty at places. The only place where The Dark Knight falls is in the story which is slow in the beginning but picks up towards the middle. But from there on it's no holds barred and you are in for an outstanding climax with a down right brilliant ending.

If you haven't seen it yet, I urge you to see The Dark Knight Rises on the Big Screen. The brilliant cinematography, effects and sound will be lost if you watch it in any other format. It's been a while since I've seen an audience clap at the end of a film, but that was the case with this one.

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Catastrophe in Colorado!

By Anant Mathur (July 20, 2012)

As you've no doubt heard by now, last night during the midnight premiere showing of The Dark Knight Rises at the Century 16 cinema in Aurora, Colorado, a gunman wearing a gas mask opened fire inside the theater. Twelve people were killed and many others injured in this needless shooting by a 24 year old psychopath. It's sad that we live in a dangerous world where any lunatic can come into a place where people have come to enjoy and be entertained and do such a horrible thing.

I hope and pray that god gives strength to the families of the people killed and help the injured in dealing with this unfortunate incident.

Steps should now be taken to prevent this from ever happening in the future. Whether that means putting metal detectors in movie theaters or checking people as then go in that remains to be seen. I know in India they check everyone before letting them into cinema halls to see films. Perhaps the reality of the world today means we need to do the same in North America.

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Song Recommendations...

By Anant Mathur (July 12, 2012)

Everyone is usually quite familiar with current music, but I find very few people who know about old songs from the 20s to 50s. So from time to time I like to let my readers know about old classics which they may or may not have heard of. If you like old songs or if you wish to learn about old music here is a list of some nice ones. You probably know some of these artists and there are some you've probably never heard of - all of them were very big in their time. In any case, I hope you will give them a listen and enjoy them as much as I do. 

If I knew you were comin' I'd've Baked a Cake

- Eileen Barton

Pop songstress Eileen Barton remains best known for her 1949 novelty blockbuster "If I Knew You Were Comin', I'd've Baked a Cake." Born in Brooklyn, NY, on November 24, 1929, she was the daughter of vaudeville song-and-dance duo Benny and Elsie Barton, joining the family act at age two-and-a-half with a show-stopping rendition of "Ain't Misbehavin'." The Bartons appeared twice daily at Broadway's Palace Theatre, sharing marquees with the likes of Eddie Cantor, Rudy Vallee, and Milton Berle. "If I Knew You Were Comin'" proved an overnight sensation that topped U.S. charts for three months, fending off competing versions from singers including Ethel Merman and Georgia Gibbs.

I'm Old Fashioned 

- Fred Astaire

Dancer, actor, and singer Fred Astaire worked steadily in various entertainment media during nine decades of the 20th century. The most celebrated dancer in the history of film, with appearances in 31 movie musicals between 1933 and 1968 (and a special Academy Award in recognition of his accomplishments in them), Astaire also danced on-stage and on television (garnering two Emmy Awards in the process), and he even treated listening audiences to his accomplished tap dancing on records and on his own radio series. He appeared in another eight non-musical feature films and on numerous television programs, resulting in an Academy Award nomination and a third Emmy Award as an actor. His light tenor voice and smooth, conversational phrasing made him an ideal interpreter for the major songwriters of his era, and he introduced dozens of pop standards, many of them written expressly for him, by such composers as Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Burton Lane, Frank Loesser, Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Arthur Schwartz, Harry Warren, and Vincent Youmans. Although his efforts as a dancer necessarily overshadowed his purely musical work, he made hundreds of recordings over a period of more than 50 years, resulting in several major hits.

 

Confucius Say 

- Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians

Lombardo began his musical career in 1924, when he and his brothers Lebert, Carmen, and Victor -- who joined slightly later -- formed a big dance band. Originally, Guy was a violinist for the band, but he soon became its leader and conductor. The band received a moderate amount of success in Canada and soon went to the United States, where they landed a regular gig in Cleveland, OH. While they were performing in Cleveland, they began using the name Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians. After their Cleveland engagement, they moved to Chicago and then New York City, which became their home base after a successful stay at the Roosevelt Grill.

 

South of the Border Medley

- Charlie Kunz

Charlie Kunz, "the Medley King," was born in Allentown, PA, on August 8, 1896. His father was a master baker who blew the French horn. As a youngster Charlie played piano, church organ, and E-flat alto horn. In 1914 he switched from playing classical to popular dance music. He worked as a milkman, cobbler, ribbon weaver, bookseller, and mechanic. During the First World War he was a boiler riveter and a bombshell builder. By the age of 19 Charlie Kunz was leading his first band and opening for Paul Whiteman and Vincent Lopez at a ballroom in Allentown. He came to England in 1921 with a group led by percussionist Ed Krick. The following year he led Paul Specht's Criterions at the Trocadero Restaurant in Piccadilly. Remaining in England after his friends had all gone home, Kunz formed his first all-British band and began performing at the Lyons Corner House in Piccadilly Circus. He then expanded his ensemble to 14 pieces and played the Grafton Galleries. Kunz sat in on piano with the Dix Band at the Olympia Dance Hall in West Kensington and tickled the ivories at Ma Merrick's 43 Club, an infamous sporting house and all-night den of iniquity operating on Gerrard Street, Piccadilly. Kunz then played the Chez Henri Club in Long Acre, found it to his liking, and stayed on for eight and a half years.

 

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate-The Positive

- Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby was, without doubt, the most popular and influential media star of the first half of the 20th century. The undisputed best-selling artist until well into the rock era (with over half a billion records in circulation), the most popular radio star of all time, and the biggest box-office draw of the 1940s, Crosby dominated the entertainment world from the Depression until the mid-'50s, and proved just as influential as he was popular. Unlike the many vocal artists before him, Crosby grew up with radio, and his intimate bedside manner was a style perfectly suited to emphasize the strengths of a medium transmitted directly into the home. 

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Spider-Man...Amazing?

By Anant Mathur (July 03, 2012)

 

The Amazing Spider-Man releases today, my first memory of Spider-Man is when the original Spider-Man (1967) cartoon was broadcast in India on Doordarshan in the 1980s. I can still remember, it was sponsored by Gold Spot and I loved watching it as a kid. Later on when I got into comic books I read and purchased many Spider-Man comics. I think every teenage boy could relate to Peter Parker/Spider-Man.

Spider-Man is so popular the world over that in 2004 a Spider-Man: India comic was released. It ran for 4 issues featured the Indian version of Peter Parker called Pavitr Prabhakar along with Meera Jain (Mary Jane Watson), Auntie Maya (Aunt May), Uncle Bhim (Uncle Ben), Nalin Oberoi (Norman Osborn), Aadi (Eddie Brock/Venom), Hari Oberoi (Harry Osborn) did not appear but was mentioned.

 

When the original Spider-Man film series was released a decade ago with Tobey Maguire, I was disappointed by the fact that instead of Spider-Man making his webbing it came out of the wrists automatically after the spider bite. In the comic book, Peter Parker is an amateur scientist and freelance photographer who develops the webbing in his home after he gets bitten by a radioactive spider. But this was not the case in the films - so as a comic book fan this disappointed me and it's one of the things I'm hoping they will rectify in the reboot.

As a fan, I'm really looking forward to the release of The Amazing Spider-Man. All I hope for is that it lives up to the comic book.

 

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Film Recommendations...

By Anant Mathur (June 24, 2012)

Every now and then I like to tell my readers about films they might enjoy watching. If you love films and have seen more than two of them and your favourite films are not Action Replayy or Ra.One, you too will enjoy these as much as I did. Below is a list of 10 films I think you will enjoy.

1) TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES

After Terminator 2: Judgement Day, James Cameron, gave up the Terminator franchise and moved on to bigger and better things. Although T2 is to this day my favourite effects film, I prefer Terminator 3 for the story, I concluded the trilogy in a brilliant way. The ending is very unexpected and like it's predecessors T3 leaves you wanting more.

2) THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW

Directed by the master of disaster - Roland Emmerich - It's probably one of the best disaster films out there. I have seen it many times and with the end of the world predicted for December 21 of this year, I'm sure I will watch it again before then.

3) MEMENTO

If you've seen it, it would come as no surprise that I'm recommending Memento. This film is not only one of the most brilliant films ever made, it also forced writers and directors to re-think their story telling formulas.

4) IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Although it bombed big time at the box office in it's initial release. It's a wonderful life found an audience decades later and is considered a timeless classic today. Beyond the financial aspects, the film tells a great story that's been imitated many times but none have been able to duplicate it's heart and soul.

5) KAAGAZ KE PHOOL

Like IT'S A WONDERFUL like KKP was also a box office disaster. It's failure depressed it's director, Guru Dutt, so much that he never directed again and Indian Cinema lost its greatest director a short time later. Some films are ahead of their time and Kaagaz Ke Phool certainly belongs in that genre.

6) WAIT UNTIL DARK

This is one of my favourite suspense thrillers. While watching it you're sure it's been directed by Alfred Hitchcock, but here's a surprise, it's directed by the same gentleman who directed the first 3 James Bond films, Terrence Young.

7) INCEPTION

Although it was a little predictable for me, I still enjoyed the ride. If you want an intelligent mystery/action/effects film, this would be one to watch.

8) NORTH BY NORTHWEST

Anytime North By Northwest is on TV, I have to watch it. It doesn't matter if I have missed the first ten minutes or if I joined with 10 minutes remaining, it's one of those films that you can't get enough of.

9) CHARADE

Sadly, Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn only made one film together but it's one of their finest performances and a great action/suspense film. Cary Grant proves why even at age 59 he was one of the most sought after leading men.

10) ROBOCOP

You may be wondering why I started with this one. But when Robocop first came out no one had seen anything like it. A lot of films have followed in Robocop's footsteps and some may even be better, but if you want to know how it all started, I recommend watching this one. 

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Tip # 22: Plot vs. Story

By Anant Mathur (June 16, 2012)

I have been asked many times what the difference between a plot and a story is? In this post I will try to explain what plot is and how it differs from a story.

To begin with, a PLOT can be described simply as a logical structure which connects events. A STORY on the other hand is a chronological sequence of events. 

A story requires at least one event in its narrative in order to be considered a story. Most stories have a series of events involving many characters rather than just one event.

English novelist E.M. Forster provides the following examples to illustrate the difference between story and plot:

The king died and then the queen died (story).
The king died and then the queen died of grief (plot).

A narrative can have one or more plot-lines, that is, events can center around one or a groups of characters.

It's very rare to find single plot stories, most stories develop multiple plots. Multiple plot lines don't necessarily get the same level of importance, there is usually a main plot-line and one or more subplot lines. Subplots can be used to contrast the main plot, for example, if there is a sad scene in the main plot, the writer may have a subplot which provides some comic relief.

I cannot go into too much detail about plot and story on this blog as it is a complex subject. If you require further explanation, there are many books available to you. Below is a short list of books I suggest you read if you wish to learn more about this subject:

1) Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster

2) The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories by Christopher Booker

3) The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master by Martha Alderson

4) Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell

5) The Story Solution: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take by Eric Edson

6) The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition by Christopher Vogler

7) Plotto: The Master Book of All Plots by William Wallace Cook

8) Writing Subtext: What Lies Beneath by Linda Seger

9) The Art of Subtext: Beyond Plot by Charles Baxter

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Best & Worst Of The 2011-2012 TV Season

By Anant Mathur (June 07, 2012)

Every year I look forward to the new American TV season and wonder which shows I will still be watching over the next few years. After a disappointing 2010-2011 season, where none of the new shows were worthy of a second look, I'm relieved to say that the 2011-2012 season was much much better. With the 2011-2012 season coming to an end in May, we can now separate the winners from the losers. Out of all the shows that debut in the 2011-2012 season, below are the ones I watched 'till the end of the season (or 'till the show got cancelled) and feel are the best or worst of the year: 

Best Concept of the year:
1) Once Upon A Time (ABC)
2) Touch (FOX)
3) Person of Interest (CBS)

Honorable Mention:
4) Grimm (NBC)


Best New comedy:
1) 2 Broke Girls (CBS)
2) Last Man Standing (ABC)
3) New Girl (FOX)


Worst New Shows of the year, so glad these got cancelled:
1) I Hate My Teenage Daughter (FOX)
2) GCB (ABC)
3) Free Agents (NBC)


How did this get on television:
1) Charlie's Angels (ABC)
2) Are You There, Chelsea? (NBC)
3) Man Up! (ABC)
 

Shows with Promise but didn't get picked up or renewed by the network:
1) Unforgettable (CBS)
2) PanAm (ABC)
3) Rob (CBS)


Why is this still on (surprisingly these low rated shows earned a second season):
1) Whitney (NBC)
2) Hart of Dixie (The CW)
3) Fairly Legal (USA)


A Good Concept gone horribly wrong:
1) Prime Suspect (NBC)
2) Alcatraz (Fox)
3) The Playboy Club (NBC)


The Worst Actor of the year:
1) Christopher Moynihan (Man Up!)
2) Hank Azaria (Free Agents)


The Worst Actress of the year:
1) Jaime Pressly (I Hate My Teenage Daughter)
2) Leslie Bibb (GCB)
 

Most Entertaining Villain/Villainess on Television: 
1) Lana Parrilla (The Evil Queen, Once Upon A Time)
2) Robert Carlyle (Rumplestiltskin, Once Upon A Time)
3) Enrico Colantoni (Carl Elias, Person Of Interest)


Best Actress in a New Comedy: 
1) Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girls)
2) Kaitlyn Dever (Last Man Standing)


Best Actor in a New Comedy: 
1) Tim Allen (Last Man Standing)
2) Jonathan Kite (2 Broke Girls)


Best Actress in a Drama Series: 
1) Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon A Time)
2) Poppy Montgomery (Unforgettable)


Best Actor in a Drama Series: 
1) Jim Caviezel (Person of Interest)
2) Kiefer Sutherland (Touch) 

Best New Shows of the year:
1) Person of Interest (CBS)
2) Once Upon A Time (ABC)
3) 2 Broke Girls (CBS)

Honorable Mention: 
4) Touch (FOX)
5) Last Man Standing (ABC)
6) Grimm (NBC)


DISCLAIMER:
Please remember these are TV show that I watched based on my personal preferences and this post should not be misinterpreted as official results or facts regarding TV shows released in the 2011-2012 season.

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Satellite Rights... And The Wrongs!

By Anant Mathur (May 25, 2012)

Most people are unaware of what Satellite Rights are or how they are calculated for films. In this post, I will discuss how satellite rights affect TV Channels, Producers, Distributors and Advertisers. 

Satellite Rights are an agreement between a TV Channel and a Distributor/Producer. For a fee, TV Channels obtain the rights to telecast a film for a number of years and/or a set number of telecasts as agreed to by both parties.

Today, in India, film-making is drastically different than 10-15 years ago. In the past, distributors only purchased films after they had seen it. Today, possibly due to lack of content, distributors are not show the film by the producer(s) - instead they sign agreements based on the Star cast, Music Director and the Director attached to a project. The script is NOT the priority. Producers are given 50, 60, sometimes even 100+ crores by distributor(s) for a film whose content they have no knowledge of or have any control over.

There's only one thing that dictates the price of a films satellite rights… Star Power. The greater the number of 'A' Listers in the film the higher the amount the distributor and/or producer will receive from a TV channel. With stars like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan, you're almost guaranteed 35-40 crores for satellite rights even before a single frame has been shot.

So before the film is in production the producer knows he will have 60 crores from the distributor and 40 crores from satellite rights and he plans his budget accordingly. Most films that producers claim have budgets of 80-90 crores can easily be made for 5-10 crores if you take away the salaries/compensation of the 'A' List star(s), the director and producer(s).

At the time of its release, it was claimed that Action Replayy cost 65 crores. In Action Replayy there are no sets, location, costumes or special effects which require lavish amounts of money to be spent. At most Action Replayy cost 4-5 crores to make without the cost of the 'A' listers - so unless the director/producer and stars were paid 15 crores each, there's no reason for Action Replayy to cost 65 crores. Since the distributors didn't see the film 'till the premiere they had no idea how bad the film was. The Hollywood film Back to the Future, which was the "inspiration" for Action Replayy, cost $19 million dollars to produce but you can see exactly where the money went when you watch that film.

Advertisers pay TV channels for broadcasting their commercial during the broadcast of a film because they are trying to target the same audience the film is made for. Based on the star power of the film, advertisers are charged a particular amount for a 30 second spot. Obviously, an 'A' list stars film would fetch far more than a B or C grade star.

Reliance Big Pictures released Kites and Raavan one month apart in 2010. Prior to their release Reliance had agreed to a deal worth 45 crores for satellite rights of these two films along with some 20 other old films from their library. But when both these films flopped, Colors TV channel forced Reliance Big Pictures to re-negotiate the deal and ended up paying 30 crores instead - the reason is simple, Colors knew they couldn't generate enough advertising revenue to cover the 45 crores cost.

At the end of the day, films are made for the BIG SCREEN, and although satellite rights have started to play a part in recouping the cost of a film, if a film flops at the box office it also affects the price of the satellite rights. So, unless a film can hold an audience on the BIG SCREEN the chances that it will recover its cost are dismal.

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Tip # 31: Mindset

By Anant Mathur (May 19, 2012)

You may have heard filmmakers claim that they make films keeping in mind what the audience wants. Let me tell you, no filmmaker out there knows what the audience wants. Any filmmaker who claims to know what the audience wants is, in simple terms, "An Idiot". If filmmakers knew what the audience wanted, every film would be a hit. The truth is with every film that comes out its makers are taking a chance, a chance that the audience may like it. When more than 90% of films fail each year it would be a little hard for anyone to believe filmmakers know what the audience wants.

Although our social circle, spouse and family influence the kind of films we watch, most times, our mood or mindset is the greatest deciding factor. There are times when I could watch a love story or a science fiction or action film and then there are times when I stay away from them. It all depends on my mindset.

Have you ever woken up and been in a certain kind of mood - chances are whatever you were dreaming about has influenced your mood - you may not remember what you were dreaming about but it has put you in a certain mood. If you had a terrifying dream chances are that's the kind of mood you'll be in all day and you may not be able to explain why? Similarly, when watching a film our mindset dictates what we watch - if we are not in the mood for a love story but are forced by our friends or force ourselves to watch it, we probably won't like it.

When filmmakers make films they have no idea what mindset the audience will be in. They have no clue what kind of a day a person had. A film may be declared a flop because one of the most respected critics was not in the right mindset to watch that particular film.

There have been times when I've watched a film and loved it, then watched it again 2 months later and hated it. Chances are I was in a favorable mindset or distracted by something when I watched it the first time and when I watched it the second time I was more logical and the film didn't make any sense.

When I watched 3 Idiots, I didn't really want to see it, I had very low expectations from it, but by the time the end credits rolled I was totally taken by it. Even though I was not in the right mindset, the film was so good that it made me forget everything else and pulled me into the story. As a writer or director, you cannot control what your audience's mindset will be, so it's extremely important to give them a good product that they will enjoy regardless of their mindset. 

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Generation Next!

By Anant Mathur (May 10, 2012)

In the 1970s, Hollywood went through a drastic change - all the filmmakers who started the film industry in America were either dead or had retired from films. Biggies like Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Capra, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, James Stewart, Clarke Gable, John Wayne, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly were no longer making films. 

Censorship changed drastically during the early 1970s. Audience was broken down based on specific demographic characteristics, including age, ethnicity, education and economic background. The baby boomer generation - younger, better educated, with more disposable income - became the desired target audience for television programming and advertising.

Bollywood is currently going through the same passing of the torch. With all the pioneering producers, actors, directors, etc. virtually gone from the industry Bollywood is filled with youngsters targeting youngsters for their films - rarely do we see family films anymore. Today's entertainment caters largely to the youngsters or kids market. Even though the youngsters have grown up on television programming of the 1990s and 2000s, their tastes and values are often in marked contrast to that of their middle-class parents. 

The rapid growth of television channels in the last two decade has only inflamed the conflicts over programming and censorship. Subjects previously excluded from television began to appear with regularity. It was with the advent of Zee TV and serials like Tara, Banegi Apni Baat, Kurukshetra and Hasratein that seductive scenes came to be incorporated expansively. Tara, probably, led the way with a bold and blatant storyline, it was the predominant battering ram that broke down the restrictions placed on television content during the preceding twenty years. Frank discussions of sexuality, even outside of traditional heterosexual monogamy, became the focal point of many of the show's narratives. The serial also introduced issues of pre-marital sex, divorce, smoking, drinking, extramarital affair and live-in relationships as staples of its content. Banegi Apni Baat, set in a college campus, openly discussed condoms, sex and sexuality. Constraints on the use of profanity began to crumble as well. Writers began to pepper dialogue with language not permitted during the more conservative 1980s and 1990s.

The debate and struggle over censorship of programming will more than likely continue into the next decade. It's tough to judge what impact the current forms of entertainment will have on the next generation, but one thing is certain, it will be inspired by the thoughts and ideas generated by the current crop of Bollywood talent.

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Top Bollywood Actresses By The Decade!

By Anant Mathur (May 01, 2012)

Over the years there have been many remarkable Indian actresses. This post acknowledges the best from each decade in the last 60+ years. Of course some actresses had their careers overlap into the next decade, but I have kept them in the decade they became popular. Please remember that these choices are based on my personal preferences for actresses and should not to be misinterpreted as official results or facts.

2010s
Asin

 

2000s
Kareena Kapoor

 

1990s
Kajol

 

1980s 
Madhuri Dixit 



1970s
Hema Malini


 

1960s
Waheeda Rehman 

 

1950s
Madhubala 

 

 

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.

Top Hollywood Actresses By The Decade!

By Anant Mathur (April 22, 2012)

Over the years there have been many brilliant, bold, charismatic, sexy and beautiful actresses to come out of the Hollywood system. This post acknowledges the best from each decade in the last 100 years. Of course some actresses had their careers overlap into the next decade, but I have kept them in the decade they became popular. Please remember that these choices are based on my personal preferences for actresses and should not to be misinterpreted as official results or facts.

2010s
Emma Stone



2000s
Angelina Jolie



1990s
Julia Roberts



1980s
Meryl Streep



1970s
Jane Fonda

1960s
Julie Christie 

1950s
Audrey Hepburn



1940s
Bette Davis



1930s
Katherine Hepburn



1920s

Clara Bow

 
 

© Anant Mathur. All Rights Reserved.