Product: MirrorBangaloreTB

PubDate: 11-12-2012 Zone: Bangalore

Edition: 1

Page: BGMIR21

User: shyams1911 Time: 12-10-2012

20:09 Color: C K Y M

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BangaloreMirror

21

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

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Why Kamal Haasan is taking DTH gamble

Bangalore Mirror scouts the corridors of Kollywood to find some answers to the actors revolutionary idea of releasing his new film Vishwaroopam on DTH, ahead of the theatrical release
Rajaneesh Vilakudy bmfeedback@gmail.com

TIME TO MOVE ON, SAYS KAMAL

amal Haasans plan to release his new film Vishwaroopam on DTH ahead of theatres is widely regarded as perspicacious, but a section of Kollywood believes that its an asinine idea germinating out of a nebulous situation the legendary actor has found himself in. Rattled, theatre owners are huddled up to squelch the move at the budding stage itself, while Kamal, with no qualms whatsoever, dubbed the knee-jerk opposition Rip van Winkle-ish. Sources privy to the developments say there is more than what meets the eye behind Ulaga Nayakans masterstroke. Trade sources say the film, which was shot for around Rs 90 crore, has been lying in the can for want of distributors for the last five months. Not that there were no takers, but no one was willing to buy what the industry describes as the exorbitant price Kamal was quoting for his ambitious trilingual film ( Tamil, Hindi & Telugu).

firms the production cost Rs 90 crore includes his remuneration as well. Kamal, in fact, enjoys a pay pack of Rs 20-25 crore. (At least thats what he is demanding nowadays, says a producer.) For Kamal, it was a moment of epiphany how the ground beneath his feet has eroded. New-age stars like Suriya have climbed up the ladder at breakneck speed. Kamal was the indisputable No 2 for many years. (We dont even need to mention the No 1, do we?) But the scene changed dramatically over the last few years with Ajith, Suriya, Vijay, Dhanush and

Kamal should be there in the top 5, but equations are changing fast. Suriya was clear No. 2, but Thuppakkis success has taken Vijay ahead of Suriya
even Karthi rising to the top. Yes, Kamal should be there in the top 5, but every equation is changing at lightning speed. Suriya was clear No. 2, but Thuppakkis blockbuster success has taken Vijay ahead of Suriya. Vijays previous two films too were massive hits. Ajith rose to No. 2 soon after Mankatha, but then Billa 2, a dud at the box office, played spoilsport. If his untitled film with Billa I director Vishnuvardhan delivers, he will be back at the top, says a veteran Chennai-based journalist, who is closely tracking Kollywood.

GRAVEYARD YEAR FOR TAMIL

According to trade insiders, the actor was demanding about Rs 140 crore for the film (Rs 80 crore for Tamil, Rs 40 for Telugu and Rs 20 for Hindi) from prospective buyers like Eros, UTV and Reliance for the three languages. Interestingly, no production house was willing to buy the film for such a whopping price in what industry describes as a graveyard year for big-budget films. The actor was willing to budge an inch or two, but the production houses werent. He was ready to come down to a figure of Rs 110 crore, but sadly no one was willing to take that risk. The film cost the producer around Rs 90 crore. The price quoted came up to a maximum of only Rs 80 crore. It was a shock for Kamal. In such a scenario, he knew that he was not even getting back the production cost, a top Tamil producer told Mirror. Besides, no one con-

efending his decision to release his upcoming directorial venture Vishwaroopam on DTH platform, Kamal Haasan said it will in no way deter crowds from thronging the theatres. Claiming that a majority of the Tamil cinema industry had backed his DTH idea as novel, he said only a minor section was agitated against his proposal. One show will be aired on DTH which cannot be recorded and neither will it remain in the DTH system. The charge is Rs 1,000 which is 10 times that of the theatre. For sure one can have the joy of watching the movie at home, but not the experience of viewing it in the theatre, he said, adding the film boasted of latest sound technology. He said DTH penetration in Tamil Nadu was only three per cent and enjoyed by the affluent, and his idea would reach only half of this number and the apprehensions amounted to 100 persons fearing one. To further explain his case, he cited a divine anecdote. He said while people have portraits of Lord Venkateshwara at home, this did not, however, deter them from visiting the holy shrine near Tirupati. The case of cinema halls is something like that, he said. Have hotels been shutdown because many homes have kitchens which prepare good food?, he asked. He indicated that initial fears against movies being telecast on TV channels were proved wrong. Haasan had kicked up a row when he decided to release the film on DTH platform eight hours ahead of its release on January 11 next. The thriller stars Rahul Bose, Shekhar Kapoor and Andrea Jeremiah, among others. AGENCIES

REASONS FOR LUKEWARM RESPONSE

According to trade analysts, there are a number of reasons why Kamals film elicited a lukewarm response from the top production houses. First of all, Kamal is directing the film. His directorial ventures are not

Have hotels been shut down because many have kitchens which prepare good food?

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