“Only those with vested interests are challenging TMK success” – UTV

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

December 31, 2010 - 2:16 PM IST

UTV Motion Pictures has confirmed that they are in the profit making zone for their recent release Tees Maar Khan. Though certain sections of industry as well as trade didn't quite acknowledge the terrific start of the film and were only way too pleased to label the film as a 'barely coverage' affair or even a 'flop' as weekdays progressed, an official confirmation from UTV with facts and figures intact pretty much tell a different tale.

“Only those with vested interests are challenging TMK success” – UTV

Though the film didn't quite turn out to be the festive extravaganza that it was touted to be, it is way beyond the claims of being a loosing preposition and has actually turned out to be a profitable venture for its investors.

"Well, all I can say is that only those with some vested interests could be challenging the success of Tees Maar Khan", says Siddharth Roy Kapur, CEO UTV Motion Pictures, "The film has been a profitable venture for us."

There are different stories floating around in the trade though with murmurs of the production house actually loosing money here.

"Okay, let's do the maths here", Siddharth explains the equation, "The entire cost of acquisition for Tees Maar Khan was 50 crores. We further spent 10 crores the print and publicity worldwide. This makes the total cost as 60 crores. Now we have already recovered 30 crores from satellite and music rights. Balance 30 crores has to be recovered from India box office collections, overseas collections, home video and other rights."

The way film is progressing, Siddharth is confident about the film raking in 40 crores share from India alone.

"That's right; the theatrical share should be in range of 40 crores. Deviation, if any, could be 5-6 crores here or there but not more than that. Overseas share should be 8-10 crores while other rights would fetch us 2 crores. This makes it around 50 crores. Add to this 30 crores from satellite and music rights and we are sitting pretty on 80 crores", details Siddharth.

Quashing the entire theory of a 5 crores loss (as hinted by a segment of trade), Siddharth says, "On an investment of 60 crores, if someone believes that 80 crores return is a failure then well, he or she is definitely living in a dream world. Come on, in today's times, a ROI like this is pretty much unheard of as well. Also, don't forget that other than the box office returns; there are also MGs (Minimum Guarantee) that we have received from theatres."

Settling down, Siddharth admits that he is disappointed with the way that not many souls, especially within trade and industry, were willing to give Tees Maar Khan its due when it opened in theatres. "Despite all the negativity and the fact that trade didn't want to talk about it as a profitable venture, Tees Maar Khan has done well for us. One can't help if someone still thinks on the contrary, right?"