Hindi
Multiplex issue: No settlement in sight
MUMBAI: Even as the deadline of 4 April approaches, the day from when no new films
The no-hurry approach is obvious. No big films are slated for release during the course of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which has a tournament window between 18 April and 24 May.
“We have been approached by a few independent producers, but have not signed up with them. Only Percept Picture Company has offered its whole slate of films to us. The big film producers have stayed adamant,” says E-City Ventures managing director Atul Goel.
Film producers have demanded for a higher pound of revenue share from multiplex exhibitors, something that would weigh heavily on the profitability of a sector that is still investing to expand reach and struggling to up ticket rates.
Says 24 Karat Multiplex CEO Padam Sacheti, “Both the parties are adamant, with neither side wanting a solution. Film producers want a 50 per cent share in the revenues for the first three weeks. Right now they are getting 50 per cent in the first week, 38 per cent in the second week and 28 per cent in the third week. We are ready to give them a 50 per cent share for all the initial three weeks, but based on the performance grade.”
The exhibitors had bowed to Yash Raj Films last year as the production house had command over a content pipe that included Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Dostana, Roadside Romeo, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, Tashan and Krazzy 4. But with the entire heap of producers joining hands, the multiplexes prefer to get into a tug-of-war situation.
Hindi
Rashmika Mandanna, Shanaya Kapoor and Naila Grrewal climb IMDb’s Indian celebrity rankings
Upcoming films and returning shows are driving fan interest across Bollywood and streaming
MUMBAI: Bollywood’s popularity contest has a new weekly scorecard, and the numbers are telling. IMDb’s Popular Indian Celebrities list for this week places Shanaya Kapoor at number six, buoyed by buzz around her film Tu Yaa Main. Naila Grrewal slots in at seven on the back of the returning comedy series Maamla Legal Hai, while Rashmika Mandanna climbs to eighth, riding mounting anticipation for Cocktail 2.
The list, available exclusively on the IMDb app for Android and iOS, tracks trending Indian entertainers and filmmakers each week, drawing on data from more than 200m monthly visits to the platform worldwide.
Further down the rankings, Raaka is keeping two of its biggest names in the spotlight. Deepika Padukone holds 11th position, with Allu Arjun close behind at 13th, as the film continues to find traction with audiences.
The list offers fans a weekly pulse on who is breaking through, who is holding steady, and who is fading. It is a barometer as unsparing as the box office itself.
