Industry standoff rattles Bhagnani

The brutal irony behind the title of his waiting-to-be-released film Kal Kisne Dekha could not have failed big-time Bollywood financier Vashu Bhagnani. The film, which launches his son Jackky, was almost ready when the producers called a strike on April 4 to protest unfair trade practices by multiplex owners.

As the standoff deepened, with neither party refusing to budge, the producers decided to release films in single-screen theatres. Bhagnani’s film was chosen to lead the pack, and announced as the first film to be released in single-screen theatres and non-national multiplexes. Bhagnani, therefore, went ahead with promoting the film with posters screaming the May 29 release. However, he was oblivious to what was in store for him.
Big Pictures, which had bought the film’s distribution rights, allegedly for Rs20 crores, backed out just six days before the release. Reason? They wanted Vashu to release the film in multiplexes too, as they themselves own a chain of multiplexes, Big Cinemas. Now the man is stuck between the devil and deep sea.

Bhagnani says the distributors have asked him to wait for two more weeks as the strike is sure to be called off in a week’s time. Bhagnani says, “They are saying I should wait for two weeks since the multiplexes are ready to agree to all the demands made by the producers. In that case, why should I deprive my son of his film also being released in the multiplexes?” When asked how he is certain of a truce so soon, he said, “I am sure. The Big Cinema guys have promised me.” If an agreement is not reached in two weeks, Vashu says he will be forced to release the film in single theatres.

This sudden decision by Big Cinemas has led to a loss of lakhs of rupees for Bhagnani as he will have to continue promoting the film for two more weeks. “But what can I do? I will be spending more money for my son’s career,” sighed Bhagnani. Preet Puri Sharma, spokesperson for Big Cinemas, said, “The company is sure the strike will be called off soon, so we will release the film later.”

However, according to the producers lobby, no such truce is in sight. Looks like Bhagnani is stuck in a no-win situation with his money and son’s career hanging in the balance.