We are not talking about the superhit film’s collections, but its satellite rights. According to a source, MAA TV had offered around Rs 12 crore, but when the makers asked for Rs 14 crore, the channel backed out. After the film’s release, there has been a feeling that it is not suitable for TV viewing and hence, no channel is showing an interest in buying the rights. Even a media baron, who owns many TV channels and who had invested nearly Rs 70 crore in Baahubali, has refused to take the film’s satellite rights. “The producers of the film were supposed to return nearly Rs 26 crore to this media baron and they asked him to take the film’s satellite rights in lieu of half the amount, but he is not showing any interest and wants only the money,” says a source close to the film unit.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan feeling Baahubali heat
Salman Khan’s mega Id release, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, is feeling the Baahubali heat in Hyderabad. Many multiplexes and single screens are continuing with the Rajamouli magnum opus. “We had requested many theatres to screen the Hindi film, but the Telugu film is running to packed houses. We will still manage, but we are not satisfied with the theatres, especially the multiplexes,” says Dilip Tandon of Indra Films, which is releasing Bajrangi Bhaijaan here.
Unlike Salman’s earlier films, only 70 per cent of theatres are screening Bajrangi Bhaijaan. “We didn’t make any agreement with any theatre because of Baahubali,” says Tandon. In South, Hyderabad is one of the major revenue hubs for Hindi films, but this time, it is Baahubali which is reigning.
