The dream run goes on

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300, the film adaptation of Frank Miller’s eponymous graphic novel, online, creating a lot of interest. Content and promotions apart, pricing has also kept Hollywood cash registers ringing. The multiplexes, where ticket prices are much higher than those in the single screens, have bolstered collections. The differential pricing — premium pricing for preview shows, weekend shows and for “A” category films — has helped too. Not surprisingly, according to industry estimates, about 40% of the overall BO collections are from multiplexes. Over the years, the distribution strategy of the studios has changed too. So, don’t be surprised if Spiderman releases with 588 prints, Casino Royale with 427 and Harry Potter with over 300. “Distributors prefer to open wide with a huge number of prints so as to maximise the potential from the marketing campaigns,” explains Roy. “One is regularly seeing Hollywood films being released with 100 prints and more. This also beats piracy,” points out an analyst. Then, most of these films were dubbed — for example Ratatouille became Bindas Bawarchi in Hindi and Pirates Samunder Ke Lootere —- ensuring wider penetration. The fact that titles are being released day and date with the US has helped prop up BO collections too.

Hollywood in Bollywood

According to industry watchers, Sony Pictures’ producing a Hindi film — forget the below expectations performance of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya at the BO — has paved the way for others. So, Warner Brothers is producing Nikhil Advani’s Chandnichowk to China, starring Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone, slated for a Diwali release. Paramount too is producing a film in a joint venture with Studio 18. “As the market for Indian cinema continues to grow internationally, the vast global network of Hollywood studios will allow Indian film producers to showcase their work outside the home market and acquire greater exposure for their films,” says an analyst.

Bigger, better 2008