The film distribution sector in Bollywood has hit the panic mode, what with the abysmal track record during the last two years at the boxoffice. And things aren’t getting any better. The big Diwali release Ram Setu has registered a meagre 1.50 crore collection in the advance bookings for the opening day October 25.Ajay Devgan’s Thank God is in an even worse position.
What happens to Ram Setu from Day Two onwards is anyone’s guess. This is Akshay Kumar’s lowest advance-booking figure in years.
Should he be worried?
“Yes, he must. So must all the so-called A-listers . Their days are over. The boxoffice is taken over by Kartik Aaryan and the South stars like Rishab Shetty whose Kantara is bigger than all the Bollywood releases barring Kartik’s Bhool Bhulaiya 2. I believe Akshayji has charged his producers Rs 100 crores for Ram Setu. If it doesn’t work, he must return the money to the producer,” says Suman Sinha a leading exhibitor of Bihar.
Sinha suggests a complete revamp of the pricing structure for the actors. “They must cut their salaries drastically. Only then can the multiplexes lower their ticket rates.”