By Hindustan Times
Until recently, Agneepath had topped the fee charts for TV rights of big-ticket movies. Trade estimates state that Zee Network paid approximately Rs 41 crore for it, beating Hrithik Roshan-starrer Krrish 3, Aamir Khan’s Talaash and 2011’s RA.One with Shah Rukh Khan. Now, it kind of feels Star Network has picked up the Dabangg sequel, slated to head on floors within the first half March, for about Rs 45 to 50 crore.
Hemal Jhaveri, general manager, Star Gold, admits the sale has broken records, though he avoids revealing the precise amount. “We have the largest library of Salman’s movies. It made sense to shop for Dabangg 2 because his last release, Bodyguard (2011), rated well on its premiere show, and fetched about 11 points in television ratings. The next screenings have scored well too,” he says.
According to tradesmith Amod Mehra, the bankable heroes corresponding to Salman, Aamir, Shah Rukh, Hrithik and Akshay Kumar only have one or two releases a year. So, leading networks are willing to move the additional mile to obtain TV rights to their movies.
“RA.One would possibly not has been a box-office hit, nevertheless it fared well on TV. Agneepath can be received well too. Even sponsors don’t love to advertise when a smaller movie is premiered at the tube,” says Amod, mentioning that prices aren't any longer a priority for leading channels. “Salman commands excellent value right now.” Jayantilal Gada of Pen India Pvt Ltd, which acquires movies for a number one network, believes that with new big-budget movies being announced routinely, it might not be impossible to damage Salman’s new record this year either. “Sometimes, movies are announced but never move forward, while some others are taken at the floors immediately. Trading TV rights also relies on whether a film will ever see the sunshine of day,” he explains, adding, “I’m sure there are some films within the pipeline that leading networks will vie for. And one in all them could fetch the next price than Dabangg 2.”
Salman, who has just returned from Cuba, and can reprise Chulbul Pandey’s character within the sequel to the 2010 hit, admits he’s blind to the main points of the sale: “Arbaaz (Khan) is the most productive person to touch upon this. And if the inside track is true, I’m going to be very delighted.” Arbaaz remained unavailable for comment. As for the sale of TV rights becoming the most effective means for producers to recover their production costs, Amod says, “Dabangg 2’s budget won’t transcend R70 crore. And they’ve already made roughly Rs 45-50 crore.” Jayantilal adds, “Before, audio rights assured recovery of production costs. Then, it became video rights and now, it’s satellite TV.”
Check this list:
Agneepath — Rs 41 cr
Krrish 3 — Rs 38 cr
Talaash — Rs 40 cr
RA.One — Rs 35 cr
Bodyguard — Rs 33 cr
Rockstar — Rs 18-20 cr
Housefull 2 — Rs 22-25 cr
Desi Boyz — Rs 22-25 cr
Joker - Rs 23 cr
Agent Vinod — Rs 20 cr
Barfi! — Rs 15- 18 cr
Heroine — Rs 15- 18 cr
* in keeping with trade estimates
