Hindi

PPC backstabs producers, revenue-sharing issue worsens

Published

17 years ago

April 1, 2009

MUMBAI: Amid fears, the first cracks in the producers‘ unity against the multiplexes over revenue sharing terms have appeared. Percept Picture Company (PPC) has broken away from the rest of the producers and has given in to the demand of the multiplexes. But that’s not without a clause: the company has promised to release its entire line up of films for the year 2009, in lieu of the release of 8×10 Tasveer in multiplexes on 3 April.

A source at Percept avers, “In order to avoid the fate of Eros and its film Aa Dekhen Zara, which never released in multiplexes all over, PPC has signed its entire line up of films like Tasveer, Bum Bum Bole, Yeh Hausla, Raat Gayi Baat Gayi and Aashayein.”

Reliable sources say Tasveer has been signed up at a revenue share of 48:52 per cent (producers/multiplexes) for the first week and 38:62 per cent for the next two weeks while all the other films have been signed up for 45:55 and 35:65 per cent revenue share terms for the first and second week respectively.

Ironically, Aa Dekhen Zara was barred from releasing in the multiplexes just two days before its release and the film was released only in single-screen theatres on 27 March. Says Eros International CEO Jyoti Deshpande, “Multiplex owners had laid down two impossible conditions before us if we intended to release our film with them. Firstly, they wanted us to enter a package deal for our forthcoming releases like Kambaqqth Ishq and Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal along with Aa Dekhen Zara. But at the same time we couldn’t go against the producers’ forum. Secondly, they also wanted us to break the strike, which we couldn’t in any case. My company will stand by the producers.”

Producers’ core committee chairperson Mukesh Bhatt preferred to remain tight-lipped despite repeated attempts to coax him. Multiplex officials too refused to comment. Trade pundits, however, inform that in a few days from now, one or two more producers may give in and sign their movies with the multiplexes.

Meanwhile, the producer lobby is a bit unnerved and angry at the turn of events but are confident that the strike will go on as scheduled with added vigour. With this the stage has been set for a rigorous confrontation between the Film and Television Producers’ Guild of India and multiplex chains in the coming days. If the tug-of-war situation on the revenue-sharing issue persists, release of films such as Shortkut, Kal Kissne Dekha, Jashn-The Music

Within and an updated version of Ghajini with additional footage is likely to be affected.

Multiplex owners are, however, tight-lipped and would like to wait and watch. Says Big Cinemas COO Tushar Dhingra, “I am unwilling to share anything at this point of time.”

Inox Leisure COO Alok Tandon, however, is hopeful that their (multiplex owners’) talks with producers and distributors will definitely reach a consensus. “At this juncture I don’t even want to talk about content backup plans.”

Sharing his views whether Inox would screen IPL matches, Tandon says that all this would depend on the price at which the telecast rights would be offered. “So far no talks have been held and neither is there any information on who would hold the rights. Though we at Inox are not keen on buying the telecast rights exclusively, I don’t know about other players,” he opines.

Other multiplex owners are also waiting for the IPL to come out with more definite screening proposals while continuing with their rigid stance on the revenue-sharing issue. Says Fun Cinemas COO Vikas Kapur, “The terms for screening IPL matches at theatres are yet to be thrashed out. Organisers of the IPL have decided to float tenders for theatre-screening rights but we have no update on the same so far. Time will tell whether it will commercially be viable for us to screen the matches. However, I don’t think the rights would be exclusive to any of us players.”

When quizzed as to what was the alternative content plan in case of no new film being fed by producers after 4 April, Kapur said that the season anyways sees little content being released that eventually results in low business for multiplexes.

The final script on the revenue-share issue, however, is yet to be written. And who will write that we will soon know.

Hindi

Boney Kapoor acquires remake rights of Tamil political satire Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil

Strong word-of-mouth turns Pongal satire into remake pick

Published

1 week ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: A Pongal release, a village satire and a theatre visit in Coimbatore have turned into Boney Kapoor’s latest acquisition. The producer has secured the remake rights to the Tamil political satire Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil (TTT), a film that has been enjoying a strong theatrical run powered by word-of-mouth and praise for its sharp, rooted writing.

Set in a rural milieu, the story follows a panchayat leader thrown into disarray when a wedding and a funeral land on the same day. What unfolds is a swirl of satire and humour that skewers local politics, power games, bruised egos and family tensions, all anchored in the textures of everyday village life.

Kapoor first encountered the film earlier this year while in Coimbatore for the Celebrity Cricket League. With time to spare, he caught a screening at a local theatre. That viewing proved decisive. According to sources, the narrative style, performances and the film’s balance of political commentary and comedy caught his attention.

Interest quickly turned into intent. Kapoor reached out to the producers soon after to explore a remake. Talks gathered pace over the following weeks and came to a head last Friday at the film’s success party in Chennai, where Kapoor joined the celebrations and continued negotiations with the makers.

By the end of the evening, the deal was sealed, with Kapoor formally acquiring the remake rights.

For an industry constantly mining regional cinema for the next crossover story, the move is telling. A small-town satire with local flavour has found a national backer. And if Kapoor’s instincts hold, a tale born in one village may soon echo far beyond it.

Hindi

Fans take centre stage as Zee Cine awards turns the spotlight around

Published

2 weeks ago

February 7, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: When the applause gets louder than the dialogue, you know the fans have taken over. That was the unmistakable mood as Zee formally announced the Zee Cine Awards 2026, flipping the script to celebrate not just cinema’s stars, but the people who cheer them on the loudest.

The 24th edition of the awards marks a fresh chapter in Zee’s long-standing relationship with Hindi cinema, anchored in its fan-first philosophy, Fantertainment. This year’s theme, ‘Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka’, reinforces a simple idea: cinema’s most powerful moments are shaped as much by audiences as by actors on screen. Presented by Maruti Suzuki, the awards aim to turn fandom into the main event.

The announcement, held in Mumbai, was anything but a routine press conference. Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Aparshakti Khurana, composer Mithoon and singer Palak Muchhal joined fans to kick off the celebrations, turning the launch into a high-voltage, participative spectacle.

Staying true to the theme, fans didn’t just watch the announcement, they drove it. Akshay Kumar took the lead, pulling fellow stars on stage and energising the room, before the unveiling of a live LED Fan Meter. Powered purely by audience cheers, the rising meter culminated in the reveal of the Zee Cine Awards 2026 ground event date, announced in unison with fans, blurring the line between performer and spectator.

The momentum continued as Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa and Aparshakti Khurana recreated iconic hook steps, joined by Mithoon and Palak Muchhal for music-led interactions. Games, spontaneous performances and playful banter kept the focus firmly on shared moments, underscoring the evolving bond between cinema and its audience.

Beyond the launch, the awards will roll out as a multi-platform journey across television, digital, print and fan-led experiences. The aim is sustained engagement from the first announcement to awards night cementing fandom as a cultural force rather than a footnote.

Commenting on the milestone edition Zee head of advertisement revenue, broadcast & digital Laxmi Shetty said the 24th Zee Cine Awards continue to draw strength from the network’s omni-channel ecosystem, reflecting how audiences consume content today across TV, digital and social platforms. She noted that long-standing brand associations, including Maruti Suzuki’s three-year partnership and support from brands such as Hell Energy, underline the platform’s scale, trust and cultural relevance.

As Zee Cine Awards 2026 gathers pace, one thing is clear: this year, the loudest cheers won’t just echo in the auditorium, they’ll shape the show itself.

Hindi

Prime Video to stream Don’t Be Shy, produced by Alia Bhatt

Published

3 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Prime Video has found its next feel-good original, and it comes with a healthy dose of heart, humour and youthful chaos. The streaming platform has announced Don’t Be Shy, a coming-of-age romantic comedy produced by Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt under their banner, Eternal Sunshine Productions.

Written and directed by Sreeti Mukerji, the film follows Shyamili ‘Shy’ Das, a 20-year-old who believes her life is neatly mapped out until it suddenly is not. What follows is a relatable tumble through friendship, love and the awkward art of growing up, when plans unravel and certainty gives way to self-discovery.

The project is co-produced by Grishma Shah and Vikesh Bhutani, with music composed by Ram Sampath, adding to the film’s promise of warmth and energy. Prime Video describes the story as light-hearted yet emotionally grounded, with a strong female-led narrative at its core.

Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the platform was delighted to collaborate with Eternal Sunshine on a story that blends sincerity with humour. He noted that the film’s fresh writing, earnest characters and infectious music make it an easy, engaging watch for audiences well beyond its young adult setting.

For Alia Bhatt, Don’t Be Shy reflects the kind of storytelling Eternal Sunshine set out to champion. She said the film stood out for its honesty, its coming-of-age perspective and Mukerji’s passion, which she felt was deeply woven into the narrative. Bhatt also praised Prime Video for supporting distinctive voices and bold creative choices.

With its breezy tone and familiar emotional beats, Don’t Be Shy aims to charm viewers whether they are rom-com regulars or simply in the mood for a warm, unpretentious story about life refusing to stick to the plan.