EXCLUSIVE: Taran Adarsh opens up on the biggest learning film business should take from 2022; says, “60-70% budget of our films goes in the actor’s fees rather than focusing on content”

Films critic, Taran Adarsh talks about the biggest learning film business should take from 2022.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

January 12, 2023 - 12:18 PM IST

Film critic and a trade analyst Taran Adarsh, opened up about the biggest learning Bollywood should take from 2022.

EXCLUSIVE: Taran Adarsh opens up on the biggest learning film business should take from 2022; says, “60-70% budget of our films goes in the actor’s fees rather than focusing on content”

In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Taran Adarsh when asked about what should be the biggest learning for everyone in the film business from 2022, he said, “There are various things, but first and foremost is content, which was lacking in most movies. Second is economics from the producer and exhibitor’s side, i.e., ticket prices that the commoners pay. So, these two factors, i.e., content as well as the economics of the film were responsible for majority of the films flopping at the box office. Also 2022 was a year where a lot of films came post lockdown or pandemic, which were planned before COVID happened and the content was looking stale”.

Continuing his conversation regarding content being the king, he said, “In those two years, a lot of people have watched a lot of International and non-Hindi stuff on OTT and our taste changed over the period of time. That was one of the important reasons. During that period a lot of people saw a lot of South Indian movies. I am talking specifically about Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada, because these films and the actors became household names, whether it is Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo in Telugu with Allu Arjun or it could be Vikram Vedha, or it could be Jersey again in Telugu, there are many films I can name. So, the learning or takeaway from 2022 was that if you won’t give audience anything new within the commercial format; people are very ruthless, they are bound to reject your movie”.

Further sharing his viewpoint based on the opening day collection, he said, “This can be analysed from the fact that the actors whose films used to collect 10-15 crores on the opening day pre-pandemic, is now collecting 2-4 crores on the opening day post the lockdown. This phase proved to be a difficult phase for film industry, especially Hindi film industry”.

“In the meanwhile, South people came. There was Pushpa to begin with in December 2021, and then there was KGF 2, RRR and Kantara. These four films created magic at the box office. People realized the difference that something was really lacking in the Hindi film industry”, Taran added.

Talking about affordable ticket price and the controlling of budgets, Taran stated, “I think 60-70% budget of our films goes in the actor’s fees rather than focusing on content. In todays times, films are not being made, rather proposal are being made. Considering which actor to cast, selling satellite and OTT at certain price, along with selling music rights and overseas, and this is what is ruining the entire economic structure of the industry or should I say has ruined. But I guess things should improve in 2023”.

Also Read: As Ranveer Singh delivers three back-to-back flops at the box office, trade experts share their views; say, “When a film flops, the hero gets the blame”