Film director Kabir Khan recently spoke about the current trend of inflating box office receipts through corporate and bulk bookings, saying that while it may boost business, it has also led to the industry prioritising numerical success over other aspects.
Kabir notes that trends like corporate and bulk bookings to inflate box office receipts go in and out of fashion, and while producers, studios and distributors see it as good for business, he stresses they remain neutral on the ethical implications and that no one is harmed.
When asked about the potential for mistrust caused by rigged numbers, the “Chak De! India” director commented that the industry has become unhealthy with its emphasis on numerical success. Looking back, he noted that opening numbers didn’t matter, and contrasted it with today’s industry, which revolves around such numbers, likening it to a competitive game.
Kabir notes that trends like corporate and bulk bookings to inflate box office receipts go in and out of fashion, and while producers, studios and distributors see it as good for business, he stresses they remain neutral on the ethical implications and that no one is harmed.
When asked about the potential for mistrust caused by rigged numbers, the “Chak De! India” director commented that the industry has become unhealthy with its emphasis on numerical success. Looking back, he noted that opening numbers didn’t matter, and contrasted it with today’s industry, which revolves around such numbers, likening it to a competitive game.
Khan further noted that many in the film industry today quote box office figures without fully understanding what they mean. He pointed out various metrics like domestic net profit, box office takings, worldwide net profit, box office takings etc. and suggested that the emphasis on inflating numbers through corporate and mass bookings is a way to extract more revenue. Khan remained neutral on the ethical aspect and viewed it as a temporary issue rather than a major one.
Chandu Champion, in which Kartik Aaryan plays Paralympic gold medallist Murlikanth Petkar, has grossed nearly Rs 600 crore at the box office.
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