Business Line caught up the man in the centre of the controversy over screening of his movie on the direct-to-home platform before it is released in theatres. Visiting the Prasad Studios for another appointment, this writer was pleasantly surprised to find the actor there, who acquiesced to an interview on the brouhaha. In an hour-long free-wheeling interview actor and film-maker Kamal Haasan spoke at length on the issue and why his move will be win-win for all in the industry.
Your decision to release Viswaroopam on the DTH platform has drawn flak from different quarters of the film fraternity ……
DTH is another ethical avenue that offers a platform to monetise. If anybody says no, he will be the loser. It’s a technological growth, and we can’t resist it beyond a point. Now, we are fighting a war against technology, only to realise that the latter wins. Always. We can’t win this war. If I don’t do it today, some day, someone will do it. Why should I wait till that someone comes and does it. Twenty years ago, I said the same thing about satellite TV. Now, it’s a reality.
Yes. I am not going to be nailed on this cross. The protest has only made me stand firmer on my ground. We are going ahead, booking theatres. And, they have seen me doing that before. I am releasing it on DTH on January 10, and it will hit theatre screens from the next day. It is also going to premiere in Los Angeles on January 10, for which I am going there.
I don’t understand the dichotomy among the film fraternity. DTH is only a parallel medium, and a transparent system. It is in no way going to impact theatrical revenues.
But then why are distributors protesting?
They do not understand that. Now, theatre owners in North too have joined them, saying if I release my movie on the DTH platform, they will not support me. It’s a nexus, and unfair. I am not going to release the Hindi and Telugu versions on DTH. It’s my film, and I am going to release it myself. I have not demanded minimum guarantee from anybody, though I am sure the film would make much more than that.
Do you think you can coax them?
Of course, yes. As it is, they have softened their stand. All producers are by my side. Distributors support me. Even theatre owners in all other cities are with me. The theatre owners association in Coimbatore has already passed a resolution to back me. Other centres such as Tiruchi are also by my side. In fact, over 15 cinema halls are getting new sound systems installed specially to screen this film. The protest is only from the Chennai city and neighbouring districts. I think all it calls for is persuasion. I have to talk to them, and make them understand that it will only help bringing in more people to the theatre. Moreover, my intention is not to violently force it upon them. I only want to convince them.
They fear two things. One, they say it may give a fillip to piracy and secondly, if all other producers follow your footsteps, the traditional exhibition medium will become redundant.
As I already told you, DTH is a transparent system. The DTH connections at clubs, bars and hotels will not be in the loop. Besides, piracy is impossible. If any one shoots with the hand-held camera and prints and sells, we can identify them with ease. It’s technically possible. I do not want to go into much detail, as somebody can come out with a smarter technology to do it. I told you, technology will be the winner... (he laughs).
For your second point, I am sitting on Rs 95 crore (cost of the film) and doing business. You tell me, how many people can do it. Every one would want to make quick money and go. Besides, how many can command Rs 1,000 just to watch once. I do not think many can take this route. Even if some do, going to a theatre is in our tradition. It will not die down. It has not happened in the US yet.
Have you signed up with all the six DTH players?
No. So far, we have signed up with Airtel, Dish, Videocon and Reliance. They came as a consortium.
How many DTH homes do you expect to watch the movie at this price point?
The DTH players we have tied up with so far, collectively reach around 15 lakh homes. I expect at least 40-50 per cent would watch.
Have you already sold the satellite rights of the film?
Yes, to Jaya TV.
How much do you think Viswaroopam would gross?
I do not want to predict. But I can safely say the movie would gross at least Rs 150 crore.
How many screens are you planning?
Globally 2,000 screens. Of this, 400 in Tamil Nadu, 1,200 in other parts of the country.
Would you be able to rope in so many with this kind of protest?
In politics and business, there is no permanent enemy. The same people who are on my side now were on the other side of the fence when I said we cannot fight satellite channels 20 years ago. This is the way going forward, and we have to embrace technology and sail with that.