RADHE’S HYBRID RELEASE PLANS STUNS THE INDUSTRY
 
Almost all Hindi films scheduled for release in April have been pushed ahead as the second wave of Coronavirus has wreaked havoc. Now all eyes were on the releases in May. There was buzz that the much awaited Salman Khan starrer, Radhe, would also be pushed ahead. After all, it’s a big film and with theatres shut in most parts of the country, it won’t be able to do the desired business.
 
Shockingly, yesterday, the makers announced that Radhe would release as scheduled on May 13, on Ramzan Eid. However, it’ll have a hybrid release. It means that it’ll release in theatres and simultaneously on ZeePlex as well. ZeePlex is a pay-per-view platform. It's different from say a Netflix or Amazon Prime where one pays a subscription fee for a month or a year and can then enjoy all the content available on the platform for that period. In the case of ZeePlex, one needs to pay in order to watch a particular film. Also, one needs to see it within a stipulated time, that is within 12 or 24 hours of paying for the film.
 
Hollywood has adopted this model and is doing well. In fact, Warner Bros has been similarly releasing all its films in cinemas and also on its pay-per-view platform, HBO Max, in North America (USA and Canada). This approach of Warner Bros commenced with the 2020 Christmas release, Wonder Woman 1984. This was a time when most cinemas were shut in the USA and the residents were able to enjoy the Gal Gadot starrer at the same time as the rest of the world thanks to its same-day digital release. Many felt that this would sound the death knell for cinemas. The argument was that if a film is available online, most viewers would not prefer going to the theatres. However, this notion was proved wrong last month with the release of Godzilla vs. Kong. The film got record viewings on HBO Max but at the same time, managed to get record footfalls post pandemic in cinemas as well. As of April 18, Godzilla vs. Kong collected $80.6 million in North America. Its worldwide total is $390.9 million and is all set to soon cross the $400 million mark. Interestingly, it was made at a budget of approximately $165 million. In other words, it has proved to be a profitable venture.
 
Talks of Radhe’s hybrid release have been going around since a long time in the trade. Then, the argument was that the hybrid release won’t affect box office as not all have access to streaming platforms. Hence, those who want to see it in cinemas would still do so. However, things have changed a lot in the last few weeks. Theatres in most cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur etc are shut. There’s no guarantee if the administration in these places would allow cinemas to resume operations by May 13. In fact, cinemas in many more cities can also shut in the coming days since the pandemic refuses to die down. In such a scenario, one wonders where Radhe would get a theatrical release and what would be its collections from the few places where it manages to release in cinemas? Hence, most viewers would have no choice but to watch it in their homes. The question that now arises is – how many of them would actually pay a certain amount to watch Radhe on ZeePlex? Indian viewers are different from that of the USA and are still stingy when it comes to paying online for content. As a result, most viewers would access the film on pirated websites.
 
In other words, Radhe’s domestic box office would be very poor. While the number of people paying to view it on ZeePlex will also be very few. One then wonders how Zee Studios would be able to recover the Rs. 230 or Rs. 240 crores it has paid to producers Salman Khan, Sohail Khan and Atul Agnihotri to buy the film.
 
The other point of view is that a large number of viewers, especially the affluent one and those living in cities would be ready to shell out money to see Radhe on ZeePlex. Moreover, it will have a release Overseas where it’ll be released only in cinemas. In UAE, it’s expected to have a record opening as it releases on Eid, a huge festival there, and also because it’s the first big Hindi film to release in more than a year. The UK box office is opening up from May 11. USA, New Zealand and Australia markets are already back on track to a great extent. So the makers are hoping to recover a chunk of investment through international box office.

Wonder Woman 1984 is a great entertainer that is sure to give viewers their money’s worth. The scene of the young Diana in the beginning is thrilling to say the least. The entry of adult Diana is straight out of a Salman Khan film. In fact, the film is unabashedly commercial, unlike most of the DC Universe films. On the flipside, the ending is a bit lengthy and quite preachy. These factors dilute the impact. Speaking of performances, Gal Gadot, as expected, is stunning and suits the part to the T. That she would rock in the action avatar was expected. However, she shines in the emotional scenes as well beautifully. Chris Pine is excellent and the manner in which he comes back from the dead is well done. His aircraft scene is adorable and gives a déjà vu of a Disney film. Kristen Wiig is a real surprise. Her track is impressive and she does full justice. Pedro Pascal as the megalomaniac villain is over the top but it works big time for his role. Connie Nielsen (Hippolyta; Diana's mother) and Robin Wright (Antiope) are lovely in their cameo appearances. Hans Zimmer’s music is a bit overpowering but works big time in enhancing impact. Matthew Jensen's cinematography is breathtaking. All in all, Wonder Woman 1984 is a big-screen spectacle and deserves a watch in cinemas!

My rating - **** out of 5!

TENET RECORDS EXCELLENT ADVANCE!

Since last couple of weeks, we have been stressing in our Bollywood Talks that exciting films should start releasing in cinemas, notwithstanding the Coronavirus pandemic. Although the virus has not gone anywhere, the curve has been flattening here in India. A second wave was feared post Diwali. It’s almost 20 days since the Festival of Lights and yet, the cases have been decreasing. Since November 22, the daily number of cases hasn’t breached the 45,000 mark. All this shows that the situation has been improving.

Yet, the Bollywood industry has been reluctant in releasing the film as the filmmakers fear that audiences might not come. The other unfounded fear is that a second lockdown might happen which also seems unlikely as it’ll lead to major economic repercussions and plus, as mentioned above, it won’t be needed when cases are reducing. The industry failed to see that audiences are bored and are hence heading to Juhu Beach, Marine Drive etc in Mumbai and also other places for leisure. Also, restaurants and pubs are getting great footfalls. These places are a little riskier as one has to remove the mask to consume food and drinks. Cinemas are safer as all precautions are strictly in place and moreover, one has to compulsorily wear the mask.

Yet, the industry remained adamant. It has scheduled small films like Indoo Ki Jawani and Shakeela for release. A film like Shakeela, in fact, is shockingly releasing on the lucrative Christmas weekend. These films look interesting but won’t attract audiences in hordes. And when these films will flop, the industry will feel vindicated and shout from the rooftops how they have been right all along that audiences are scared to visit theatres!

These silly excuses of the industry are all set to run out of steam this weekend. Tenet, the much awaited Hollywood film of Christopher Nolan, is releasing tomorrow. It is not a mainstream masala flick like Avengers or Fast & Furious series. It was released way back in August-end and September in the rest of the world and the reviews have been mixed. Yet, the audiences here are eager to see it, that too, on the big screen due to Nolan and its unique concept. The advance booking of the film started on Saturday and Sunday and believe it or not, by Monday, a lot of shows got sold out! The IMAX shows especially got full first as these are limited across the country. But even the non-IMAX shows began to get excellent bookings.

The trade was left stunned as 25,000 tickets got sold for Tenet over the weekend, that is, 5 days before release! In today’s times, when occupancy generally increases just hours before the show, this is a feat. Another shocker is that 2020’s biggest hit, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, had sold just 20,000 tickets, in advance, for its first weekend! In fact, a box office website also claimed that if Tenet had sold 25,000 tickets a day before release, even that would have been very good. But here, it managed to do so days before it’s release. And this speaks volumes how people are ready to come to cinemas in large numbers if the film is exciting enough! Is Bollywood listening?

Last year, Warner Bros released Joker which collected Rs. 5.25 crore on Day 1. This was because it was released on Gandhi Jayanti holiday. However, it collected despite clashing with War and Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy. Despite maximum 50% occupancy, Tenet (also produced by Warner Bros) can collect close to Joker’s collections. Even if the collections are in the Rs. 3.50-4.50 crore range for day 1, it’ll be praiseworthy. A weekend in the Rs. 11-13 crore range will be more than enough, considering the challenges and the perception that no one will come to cinemas!

The exhibitors who have been struggling to get patrons can now finally heave a sigh of relief. They are excitedly wondering that if a film like Tenet can manage such advance sales, then how much would Wonder Woman 1984 manage, which releases on Christmas, and has far more appeal than the Nolan-directorial? Here’s hoping the Bollywood industry finally wakes up, sheds his fear and announces a big or mid-sized for Christmas or New Year at least.