Local Films Race Ahead

lthough the Mumbai-based, Hindi- language film industry produced some record-breaking hits in 2013, Aoverall box-office growth appeared to slow again last year, following a bumper year in 2012. Bollywood hits included Yash Raj Films’ action adventure Dhoom: 3, which became the biggest Hindi film of all time on its December release, grossing $64m in India and $27m overseas. Other heavy hitters included Disney UTV’s Chennai Express and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which grossed $44m and $38m respectively; superhero sequel Krrish 3 ($38m); Sanjay Leela Bhansa- li’s Ram-Leela ($24m); and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag ($22m), backed by Viacom18 Motion Pictures. But the success of these films was not enough to sustain the previous year’s growth in the overall market, about half of which goes to Tamil, Telugu and other regional-language productions and just under 10% to foreign films. Although figures were still being com- piled at the time of writing, theatrical box office was thought to have increased by 15%- 18% in 2013, compared to growth of 24% to $1.35bn (rup85bn) the previous year. Hollywood also had some successes in India in 2013: Marvel’s Iron Man 3, distributed by Disney UTV, grossed $12.3m, while Universal’s Fast & Furious 6 took $10.3m. Other big films included Warner Bros’Gravity and Man Of Steel, which grossed $6.7m and Dhoom: 3 $5.9m respectively; Fox Star Studios’ The Wol- verine with $4.8m and Paramount’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation with $4.2m. However, the US studios did not have as strong a year as in 2012 when five films grossed more than $10m. Local films race ahead Multiplex needs Hollywood hasn’t yet maximised the potential of the Indian market, where The US studios have made gains in India in recent years, due to multiplex expansion, bet- 2013 saw some record-breaking Bollywood hits despite a slowdown in ter marketing and the practice of dubbing box-office growth. Liz Shackleton reports films into Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. But they are not seeing anything like the growth they have experienced in China — and that is not the US studios have seen growth is through independently produced Hindi titles — The just due to the popularity of local films. their Indian acquisitions and joint ventures Lunchbox, Shahid and Ship Of Theseus — all of The roll-out of multiplexes has been much — Disney UTV, Fox Star Studios and which performed relatively well. “What made slower in India, due to red tape and sluggish Viacom18 Motion Pictures — all of which last year special was that audiences were development in the commercial real-estate produce local-language films. While Holly- appreciative of specialty genres, first-time sector, which in turn is slowing the expan- wood tentpoles struggle to break the $10m film-makers and new talent,” says Amrita sion of DCI-compliant digital screens. In benchmark in India, three of the top six Bol- Pandey, vice-president and head, theatrical, the last few years, Indian exhibitors lywood grossers last year were backed by television & digital distribution — studio, Dis- have added only around 200-250 Disney UTV and Viacom18. ney UTV. “Content and storytelling took prec- multiplex screens annually, com- But development of exhibition infra- edence more than ever before.” pared to more than 5,000 new structure is crucial for both local and for- Non-studio foreign films also continue to screens in China in 2013. eign studios. With a tiny video market and ‘The Oscars have make inroads. PVR Pictures, the distribution “Overall the market has still not low broadband penetration, the film a big influence on arm of leading exhibitor PVR Cinemas, reached its potential for Hollywood industry still relies heavily on theatrical — scored last year with Now You See Me, which product as there is still a big in 2012, box office accounted for Indian audiences grossed $900,000, Riddick ($600,000) and need for more multiplexes 76% of film revenues, accord- and media’ Jobs ($370,000). The company is currently and digitisation, not to ing to KPMG. Sanjeev K Bijli, capitalising on awards buzz to roll out several mention the local product Multiplexes also allow for PVR Pictures of this year’s Oscar contenders, including The which continues to a more diverse range of con- Wolf Of Wall Street, American Hustle, 12 Years account for 90% of the tent and Indian audiences A Slave, Dallas Buyers Club and Her. total market,” says Para- have already proved they “The Oscars have a big influence on Indian mount Pictures Inter- have an appetite beyond audiences and media — even the Golden national (PPI) the traditional diet of Globes had an impact this year,” says PVR president Anthony star-laden Bollywood joint managing director Sanjeev K Bijli. Marcoly. films. Last year, Disney “There’s a lot of goodwill that comes when a One area where UTV distributed three (Left) Man Of Steel film opens in the US and the rest of the world. n 6 Screen International February 2014 www.screendaily.com IndIa box oFFIce in focus The Lunchbox Now You See Me Gravity Chennai Express Day-and-date is critical — a lot of independ- but has proved the most resistant to the multi- Elsewhere, the industry may also be look- ent films are opening here just one or two plex revolution and other forms of change. ing to overturn an unpopular ruling by India’s weeks after the US.” Two of the south Indian states — Tamil Nadu health ministry that made it mandatory for all But niche product will not reach its full and Andhra Pradesh — still have government- films to flash up intrusive anti-smoking mes- potential while the market remains under- imposed curbs on raising ticket prices. sages whenever a character lights up on the screened. Local studio chiefs point out that big screen. The legislation prompted Woody even the Bollywood films are still reaching Driving ancillary Allen to pull the Indian release ofBlue Jasmine only a small portion of the total audience. One There are also big structural changes taking last year, and local director Anurag Kashyap problem has been the weakened economy place in the cable TV market that could lead to has delayed the release of his latest film,Ugly , and political uncertainty that has dogged the more ancillary revenues for film. The Telecom while he fights the ruling through the courts. end of the current government’s five-year Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is cur- But whichever way the political wind term. The local industry is hoping that inves- rently digitising the cable industry, a move ‘There is still a big blows, India’s film market is unlikely to stop tor confidence will return following general that is expected to stem piracy and increase need for more growing. It is just that, unlike some of the elections in May. subscription revenues for broadcasters. This multiplexes and other BRIC markets, it will grow at its own “One good thing is that all the multiplex should eventually lead to the introduction of a uneven pace, thanks to its unique and at companies are now listed entities with access pay-per-view window for movies. Cable dig- digitisation’ times eccentric characteristics. At the end of to corporate finance, so they’re in a position itisation is moving more slowly than antici- Anthony Marcoly, the day, this is still a market of 1.2 billion con- to fund their growth more aggressively,” says pated, but should be more or less complete by Paramount Pictures sumers whose favourite pastimes are cricket Viacom18 Motion Pictures COO Ajit the end of 2014. International and film.n s Andhare. PPI’s Marcoly adds: “After several years of very slow progress, there now appears to be FICCI Frames ConventIon taCkles IndIa’s Issues some traction in the development of new multiplexes, which is critical to see this mar- Celebrating its 15th edition this year, the on film, broadcast, digital entertainment, Speakers confirmed so far include ket really grow.” FICCI Frames convention (March 12-14) animation, gaming and visual effects. This producers Andy Paterson (The Railway Indeed, India’s leading exhibitors — PVR will be discussing many of the issues that year, the organisers expect around 2,000 Man) and Lydia Dean Pilcher (The Cinemas, Inox Movies and Big Cinemas — affect the Indian film industry, including Indian and 600 foreign delegates. Darjeeling Limited), author William are all finally starting to expand their foot- regulation, new business models for digital In a year when the world’s largest Dalrymple, Rentrak Corporation CEO Bill print into tier 2 and tier 3 cities. PVR, now the cinema, box-office tracking, intellectual democracy heads to the polls, the major Livek, Reliance MediaWorks chief creative biggest chain with 408 screens following its property and shooting in 3D. theme of Frames 2014 will be: Media and officer George Murphy, Celestial Tiger acquisition of Cinemax, plans to open 70-80 Organised by the Federation of Indian Entertainment: Transforming Lives — Entertainment CEO Todd Miller, Asian screens this year, across markets of all sizes, Chambers of Commerce and Industry highlighting the role of media in social Animation Summit chairman Kim Dalton, including a five-screen complex in the south- (FICCI), the conference also covers the change. Discussions will cover policy reform and Roger Fisk, the communications guru ern city of Chennai. wider Indian media and entertainment and regulatory changes, as well as how to on both of Barack Obama’s presidential Cracking the south is crucial to growth, as industry, with different tracks focusing produce socially meaningful content. election campaigns. this region has high levels of cinema-going, www.screendaily.com February 2014 Screen International 7 n.

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