The film industry, which has been thirsting for a hit for several months now, is pinning their last hopes on the coming two months when a flood of releases are expected to hit the theatres. Almost 40 films are being lined up for release in December and January, and approx. Rs. 400 crores is at stake in these two months itself.
The mad rush to release films in these two months could be attributed to the fact that the World Cup cricket matches are scheduled for February, a phase when the b.o. returns are expected to touch rock bottom.
It is a foregone conclusion that a majority of films will cut into each other's business and there's a possibility that a few films may even go unnoticed.
However, a prominent Mumbai distributor, who has got two films lined up in the period, isn't worried about the rush. Says he, “Right now, the focus is more on the Idd releases, which will, to a great extent, decide the future of the trade,” he says.
Meanwhile, the excitement seems to be mounting as the Idd releases draw closer. According to sources, it's after a long time that distributors are getting asked-for terms from exhibitors. The most in demand film is KAANTE, which has fetched fantastic terms from exhibitors.
IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF FILMS
There are people who disagree with the feeling that the small screen is posing a stiff competition to the big screen these days.
“I don't think the satellite telecast of any film, howsoever big it may be, affects the box-office response. Why don't exhibitors accept the fact that it is the quality of films that is having an adverse effect on the box-office. They (the film-makers) must accept the fact that the quality of most films does not match the steep admission rates at cinema halls,” says the man behind this leading television channel.
Very true!
