Almost halfway into the year, Bollywood’s report card appears bleak, with just a handful of hits including Shaitaan, Crew, Article 370, and Madgaon Express. Many big-budget films have had disappointing runs at the box office. This lackluster performance has prompted producers to reassess the financial landscape of the industry. In light of this, members of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), Producers Guild of India, Active Telugu Film Producers Guild, and Tamil Film Active Producers Association are scheduled to meet next week with six leading celebrity talent management agencies. The primary focus of this third round of meetings is crystal clear: strategize ways to cut down the budgets of movies.
Interestingly, it’s the mid-budget movies like Crew and Madgaon Express that have emerged as box-office successes this year. These films were able to navigate the current financial climate more effectively, thereby providing a potential model for future projects.
While the skyrocketing fees of stars have been a longstanding issue, the forthcoming meeting aims to address the rising costs associated with entourages. During the last meeting held in May, a senior celebrity manager proposed returning to the post-COVID norm, whereby an actor’s entourage is limited to three people. This suggestion came from a senior star, who managed to shoot three major films during the pandemic with a minimal team. “The star started out in the ’90s when entourages weren’t a widespread phenomenon, and only megastars like Amitabh Bachchan utilized vanity vans,” the manager said.
The star, who prefers to stay anonymous, mentioned that even today, an efficient team comprising one spot boy, one make-up artist, and one additional hand is more than enough for him. “For female actor-hosts, an entourage of four can be considered justifiable,” the manager added.
A senior member of the Producers Guild, under the condition of anonymity, acknowledged that filmmakers are grappling with budget constraints in the post-pandemic market. High entourage costs have escalated to a point of concern. The member recounted a recent episode which highlighted these exorbitant costs: a studio’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) was astonished to see an invoice amounting to Rs 7 lakh per month from a make-up artist.
. “The CFO’s own salary was lower than that! This situation needs to be controlled,” he emphasized.
Apart from entourage expenses, the producers also plan to discuss ways to boost the production of small and mid-budget movies during the meeting. They have noted that these types of films have delivered high returns in recent months. An IMPPA official pointed out, “The box-office performance of Crew, Madgaon Express, and Article 370 has been exceptional. Producers should focus on high-concept films, invest more in writing, and pay reasonable fees to the stars and crew.”
The producers also aim to engage in talks with heads of OTT platforms to widen the gap between theatrical and digital releases. “If the release window isn’t managed properly, people might stop going to theatres altogether,” said the IMPPA official.
Further supporting this notion, Kiran Rao’s small film, Laapataa Ladies, has garnered wide acclaim, reinforcing the idea that smaller films with unique concepts can indeed thrive in a competitive market. This success story adds weight to the argument that mid-budget and creatively rich films could potentially reshape the future of Bollywood.
The visible decline in high-budget film performances and the corresponding rise of mid-budget successes have led the industry to consider a paradigm shift. By revisiting the cost structures, especially those associated with entourages, the film industry could navigate its way to more sustainable practices. The producers’ meeting next week could mark a significant turning point in this regard.
The narrative is straightforward: less can indeed be more. With an emphasis on reducing unnecessary expenses and bolstering the quality of storytelling and writing, the Bollywood industry can look forward to a more profitable future. Only time will tell if these measures will pay off, but the optimism around mid-budget cinema suggests they just might.
