2005 has much in store, say industry biggies
By Manisha Deshpande
|
|
Never mind the disappointments and the major box-office disasters of the year gone by, there is optimism in the air about what the new year has in store for the production, distribution and exhibition sector. "I think the year will see an interesting mix of big-budget star-studded films and the middle budget ones that fall in the genre of bold, sexy films, suspense thrillers and horror films. Let’s get thing one clear, the audience doesn’t only look for Shah Rukh starrers these days. The need of the hour is both big-budgeted films and the medium-budget ones shot and completed in a limited span of time, whether they are abound on sex, horror or sheer suspense. These fast-paced thrillers are a boon to multiplexes and vice versa," says Balkrishna Shroff of Shringar Films
Shroff also feels that the year will see a positive change in both the style and content of film-making with a new generation of directors making their presence felt on the scene. "The old producers have closed down shop and more than 90 percent films are now being made by those in the age-group of 30-40 years. These film-makers are open to change and don’t have a pre-determined mindset," he adds.
In terms of film-viewing, Shroff feels that the multiplex culture will become second nature to the audiences. "Multiplexes picked up in a big way last year and they are likely to pick up further on business this year. In fact we will have three new multiplexes opening up this year in the Fame chain of theatres, Fame Kandivali, Fame Nasik an Fame Surat,"he says.
On the other hand, Rupen Amlani of Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd., the distribution house that emerged strongly on the scene in 2004, feels that content will be the star that will determine the response to films at the box-office. "Star-presence will no doubt play an important role but films low on content will definitely take a beating at the box-office. For instance, A.T.H.W.S. had a big star presence but the film lost out on ontent," Amlani points out, adding that films with mass-appeal like MUJHSE SHAADE KAROGI will rule the roost at the box-office.
Amlani also predicts the foray of more corporate production houses into film-production. "They are seeing an increasing promise in film-production and quite a few of them are on their way towards making the big plunge in film-production. The existing ones are likely to diversify further on the production scene. Already U.T.V.has intensified its film-production plans this year," says Amlani.
There is also likely to be a positive change in distribution according to him in terms of the pricing of films. "The market has changed since we last acquired MAIN HOON NA. The prices have come down this year and they are likely to settle down to an affordable high in the year 2005," he smiles.
The other positive change that the industry will witness this year will be the initiation of new technology, be it in the field of production or music. "New technology will definitely pervade the music industry this year. After we succeeded in introducing copy-control CDs and recording on the net in PAGE THREE, we are planning to go one step further in technology with our future releases. Besides these technological developments will also have their own advantages. There are some mobile companies who have come up with a technique where a song downloaded on a particular handset cannot be forwarded to anyone," says Shameer Tandon, Vice-President, Virgin Music.
"There is a lot of promise in the year ahead provided one makes the best of it. I think the year will have something for everyone both the big and small producers and distributors," quips Amlani.
|
|
|