MUMBAI: In the midst of the tension brewing between producers, distributors and multiplexes, the first victim is Eros Entertainment’s Aa Dekhen Zara starring Neil Nitin Mukesh and Bipasha Basu.
The revenue share negotiation between Eros and national multiplex chains for Aa Dekhen Zara closed amicably at 45:55, 35:65 for the first two weeks for all India, excluding Mysore where the film will release in multiplexes and on a higher revenue share of 50:50 and 40:60 as decided by this movie’s Nizam distributor and multiplexes earlier this week.
However, while discussing with Eros, the multiplexes urged that Eros should also sign the revenue share terms for its forthcoming big budget flicks namely Kambakkth Ishq starring Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor and Love Aaj Kal starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, which were slated to release in May and June respectively.
A source close to the development informs, “In this on going standoff over revenue share terms with multiplexes and strike on movie releases commencing from 4 April, it is not possible for Eros to sign its forthcoming films. However, the multiplexes are hell-bent to sign the other two films beforehand if Eros wants to play Aa Dekhen Zara in their cinemas.”
Eros has agreed to play Aa Dekhen Zara at 45:55, 35:65 revenue share terms, but for its forthcoming film’s slate they too are lobbying for flat 50 percent share for all weeks along with all other distributors, which has been refused by the multiplexes.
In the case of majority films, the revenue share negotiations find a resolution by late night on Thursday or in some cases on Friday morning when the movie is due to release in cinemas. Now, it remains to seen whether these two parties will arrive at any decision and on what terms and conditions.
Another source adds, “Eros will be releasing Aa Dekhen Zara in single screens and independent multiplexes only, unless a solution is arrived at. In Bombay circuit alone, the movie will release in close to 200 screens. It will not be released in single screens owned by national exhibition companies."
At the time of filing this story, Eros officials remained unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts by Businessofcinema.com.
