While 2014 registered the biggest hit in history of Indian cinema with PK, the overall health of the industry was still considerably weak given the string of big films that flopped at the box-office. FICCI held a discussion with eminent names from the industry to debate on the loopholes that could be plugged to stem this rot. Participating in the debate were producer Mukesh Bhatt, Ajit Andhare of Viacom, Vijay Singh of Fox Studio, Jyoti(Eros) and others.
Said Ajit, "Health of the industry will be determined by the healthy balance sheet of the investor. What returns do they see after investing in the film."
Eros head Jyoti harped upon the need to increase the number of theaters in our country. "There are not enough theaters for screening movies. PK gets 5000 screens and the next best movie gets only 2000 screens."
The most eloquent of the lot Mukesh Bhatt argued on the need to make films passionately and back such filmmakers. Appealing to the heads of the corporate studio, Mukesh said , "In our business, we need the temperament to take risks. I have mortgaged houses and cars to make films only because we believed in our passion. Films are not being made today. What is happening is trading. You are not making movies. You are making photo sets. Please back filmmakers and not projects."
Mukesh also offered a solution to cut down on losses."You should have a real budget. What you spend should be seen within the framework of the film. We should stop spending when it comes to pampering star egos."
Mukesh also took a dig at the Khans and said that even today 50 year old Khans are seen singing romantic songs and that time has come to look for younger stars. The producer also advocated having more screens like China to cater to the less privileged section of the society.
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