Bachchan’s Bhojpuri film fails to lure buyers

MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan’s first Bhojpuri film Ganga is finding it hard to find distributors. Produced by Deepak Sawant (Big B’s personal make-up man), the film also stars Hema Malini, Manoj Tiwari ‘Mridul’, Ravi Kissen and Nagma.

Distributors are shying away from buying this film. Except for Delhi-U.P. territory, the film remains to be sold in other parts. If the grapevine is to believed, the producer is demanding anywhere between Rs 8.5 – 10 million (Rs 85 lakh to Rs 1 crore) for the film.

G.D. Mehta who has bought the Delhi-U.P. territory for the film says, “Unlike three-years ago, Bhojpuri films are no longer money-spinners at the box-office. The increase in production of Bhojpuri films has put a spanner on budgets. Whichever movie goes beyond the Rs 5 million (Rs 50 lakh) mark is considered to be a risky proposal. Bhojpuri films are targeted at ‘B’ and ‘C’ class centres and mostly single screen cinemas, where the prices of tickets are very low. The fact is that I have not paid the producer the price he quoted.”

Sawant says, “Without Ravan, there is no curiosity for Ram. I am happy that everyone is curious about Ganga, whether they are thinking good or bad. Let people guess the budget of the film or even the price that I am asking. It is a business trend. My film has been sold all over and I have not lost. The distributors are happy with the acquisition and the price, which I don’t want to disclose. Ganga is releasing on Diwali – 20 October with the maximum number of prints.”