Online ticketing platforms are riding the Bahubali 2 wave
and even offering certain discounts if you book tickets with them to see this
film, which hits theatres on Friday. There are even long
queues on advance bookings, which haven't been seen since the longest time. But
do you know how fast are plans filling up and you just might not see Baahubali 2
weekend if you don't act fast?
Image Source: youtube/dharmamovies
But on the flip side of it, certain theatre owners are
sulking, mainly those of the single screens who played cocky with the Baahubali
distributor Anil Thadani. Remember our breaking story during the pre-release
days of Mirzya (October 2016) that Anil Thadani had told
single screen owners in no uncertain terms that he will not give them Mirzya if
they do not sign a contract which says "that they ought to give all their
four shows to Shah Rukh Khan's Raees (which was also
distributed by Thadani obviously) and no show to Hrithik Roshan's Kaabil in the
2017 Republic Day week?
And those who sat on the other side of the fence are now
weeping buckets because Thadani is also distributing Baahubali 2. Of
course Thadani had shown them the Baahubali 2 card even then, but you know how
it is when things are far away and we say 'we'll cross the bridge when it
comes'.
Image Source: youtube/t-series
Buzz is, Thadani has relented to give them Baahubali 2 but
not without making them pay a price. We hear, he is cutting their profits by
10-20 per cent!
And think of it, which theatre owner would like to lose
on a film, which in trade analyst's Komal Nahata's words, is a "confirmed
blockbuster"? That Thadani too wants Baahubali 2 to have an expansive release,
but then it is he who holds the upperhand in this fight.
When contacted, film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi told
SpotboyE.com, "Whatever Thadani is doing is right. It is his discretion
where to release the film, and he is the last person to be not exhibitor-friendly.
He is the biggest distributor today in terms of magnitude of his business and
rationale in his decisions. The industry respects him
and not without a reason."
A source says, "There were quite a few theatres in
the Raees Vs Kaabil war, which did not support Raees. Let's take the prime
example of Raj Mandir In Jaipur, which is the largest single screen in India.
Now, Baahubali 2 will release in Raj Mandir but the theatre's profit share will
be reduced."
Image Source: youtube/excelentertainment
Meanwhile, the "confirmed blockbuster" is
"expected to garner Rs 110 crore on Day 1" in PVR Juhu's Ravi
Sibbal's words. "Tickets for shows slated after 3 pm have
been hiked. We in Juhu are selling them for Rs 530, which is slightly higher
than even Sultan and Bajrangi Bhaijaan," Sibbal adds.
Another source (name withheld on request) says that
recliner seats in certain plexes of the PVR chain have been priced at Rs 1700,
while PVR Icon at Andheri has decided to sell the post-afternoon tickets for
normal seats at no less than Rs 800.
Why so much craze? Nahata says, "Baahubali is a
pilgrimage. And everyone wants to know why Katappa killed Baahubali. I think the
film would amass Rs 650 crore at least in totality."
Manoj Desai, Executive Director of Gaiety-Galaxy-Marathi
Mandir, is however pragmatic in his opinion. "It's early days. Let's see
how it goes. Lekin haan, the advance booking in many of my properties is better
than what it was for most blockbusters."
He who laughs last laughs
loudest. Right, Mr Thadani?
Thumbnail Image Source: twitter/t-series/excelentertainment/dharmamovies