Bhatts strike Rs.1-billion deal with Sony

Bhatts strike  Rs.1-billion deal with Sony
Friday, March 14, 2008 13:28 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
The Bhatt brothers - Mahesh and Mukesh - who always pride themselves on the independent status of their production banner, Vishesh Films, have finally succumbed to the market dynamics.

Their signing of a Rs.1-billion four-movie deal with music major Sony BMG last week is a step in that direction.

According to an industry insider, since Sony BMG will fund the movies, it will definitely have a major say in their making, divesting the Bhatts of their independent line of thinking that gives their movies a distinct identity.

Which, in the other words, means that the Vishesh Films brand of movies will undergo a telling metamorphosis - at least in the movies to be funded by Sony.

But Mukesh Bhatt, the producer, differed and said the banner's identity would remain intact.

'We will be in control of the creative content and be as innovative. Sony BMG is not going to tell us what types of films to make. That is our prerogative,' Mukesh told.

But he agreed that the deal would help expand the reach of the banner.

In fact, Mahesh Bhatt, the creative head of Vishesh Films, has already admitted that their partnership with Sony BMG will bring stability to the banner.

'Of late, we have been finding it difficult to keep our banner afloat in the changing scenario in Bollywood. We need a strong financial partner who has faith in our abilities,' he had said soon after Vishesh Films signed an exclusive music contract with Sony BMG.

In the last 20 years since the banner was floated with its maiden venture 'Kabzaa', the budget of none of the 30 films it has made so far has exceeded Rs.50 million.

Now, for the first time, its Rs.1-billion deal with Sony BMG will afford it to make four movies on a budget of Rs.250 million apiece.

Now that the Bhatts have another Rs.700 million deal with Percept Picture Company, their banner at least will have a solid financial foundation it was lacking until recently.

'I provide only creative inputs to our banner. It is my brother, Mukesh, who has to worry about raising finance for the movies we make. But we take pride in the fact that, even with a modest budget, none of our production lacks the creative integrity,' Mahesh declared.

Mukesh, however, has little time to talk at length about the Sony BMG deal as he is now in a pre-release tenterhook of his latest production 'Jannat' starring Vishesh Films' regular, Emran Hashmi.
Singham Again Wins the Monday Test with estimated collection of 17-18 Crores on Day 4!

Audiences are rallying behind Singham Again, making it their top choice this week. Following an impressive weekend collection that set box office records, Singham Again shows

Tuesday, November 05, 2024
Audiences Celebrate Diwali with Singham Again as the Film Roars on Weekend!

Rohit Shetty's highly anticipated cop-drama Singham Again has made a thunderous impact at the box office. The film, led by Ajay Devgn, drew massive crowds and raked in impressive

Monday, November 04, 2024
Samantha Ruth Prabhu De-Stresses with Intense Workouts and Explores Rajasthan's Beauty!

Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently showcased her de-stressing ritual with some intense fitness training, proving once again that she's as strong as she is stunning. Taking to Instagram

Monday, November 04, 2024
Kriti Sanon and Rumoured Boyfriend Kabir Bahia Spotted at Mumbai Airport: Details Inside!

Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon, who has been basking in the positive reception of her maiden production Do Patti, was recently spotted at the Mumbai airport on Sunday alongside her

Monday, November 04, 2024
Poojan Chhabra on building a strong connection with co-star Bhuvan Arora on the sets of Amazon MX Player's Fisaddi!

Amazon MX Player, Amazon's free video streaming platform, recently released the bromance drama, Fisaddi. Set in Allahabad University, the series follows the story of two

Monday, November 04, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT