Acknowledging the economic impact of the pandemic on the film industry, star actor and producer Alia Bhatt said in Express Adda on Monday that both producers and stars are engaged in a “re-evaluation” on the subject of A-listers’ salaries and whether they need to be balanced. needed. Against the budget of the film.
Responding to a question whether there has been any improvement in the price charged by stars, especially amid the post-pandemic reappraisal, and at a time when many Hindi films have failed at the box office, Bhatt said: “i agree it should be, I am not a number producer but a creative producer. But I understand that it is the content that is bringing people to the theaters while the star and star values add layers. For that aspect, it should be balanced as you are not loading the budget of the film… but then again, I am not going to tell anyone what they should charge, because i am small,
She said, “In general, I am sure all the producers are thinking that some re-evaluation (on star fees) needs to be done. The stars are thinking the same way. Many a times, an actor charges a certain fee and when the film doesn’t do well, they don’t charge the remaining fee. Even return the money. But we don’t do PR for that. No one is running anyone away.”
In conversation with Anant Goenka, Executive Director, Indian Express group, and The Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta, during Express Adda, Bhatt also Offered many insights as a film industry insider,
She is currently awaiting the release of her Netflix feature Darlings under her production banner Eternal Sunshine. (Express photo by Amit Chakraborty)
Commenting on many big budget Hindi films not being successful at the box-office, Bhatt said: “It was a tough year for Indian cinema in general. We should be kind to Hindi cinema. South films did well, but are we counting the total number of films that have done well?… We are constantly re-evaluating general consumer behavior. At the end of the day, it’s a business.”
One of India’s finest contemporary actors, Bhatt spoke about taking criticism to his level. “I have been one of those people who have encountered random hate, especially online. From a point forward, you don’t care about all that. It is a free country, anyone can say whatever they want. So, I can’t be like, ‘Me-feeling bad. Bad raha raha hai toh mithai khao (I am upset. If so, have some sweets)’, the 29-year-old said.
Talking about the box office competition between Hindi cinema and regional cinema, Alia said that it has been a tough year for Indian cinema overall. (Express photo by Amit Chakraborty)
With her intimate but much-talked-about April wedding to actor Ranbir Kapoor and the announcement of her pregnancy, Bhatt has begun a new phase in her life. Professionally, she would officially become a producer with the release of Darlings, a dark comedy produced by her production house Eternal Sunshine in association with Red Chillies Entertainment. “Honestly, I can’t remember how it happened. Maybe I’ve reached the point where I’m writing a movie title, and thinking: ‘Why not produce it?’,” he said.
Featuring Shefali Shah, Vijay Varma and Roshan Mathew, Darlings will release on Netflix on August 5. Next, Bhatt will be seen sharing screen space with Ranbir Kapoor for the first time in Ayan Mukerji’s fantasy drama Brahmastra Part One: Shiva.
Emphasizing on the importance of good stories and engaging content, she said, “I don’t want to tell women-centric films alone, I want to tell good stories… Stories that mean something to the audience, which give them some dull thoughts. leaves with.”
Talking about the content that worked at the box office, Alia said, “A good film will always do well.” (Express photo by Amit Chakraborty)
The actor also revealed that his production house is looking for good scripts as well as talented writers and directors who “don’t know how to break in”. “My endeavor is to find interesting content and put my power behind it,” she said.
“What Makes a Star?” Bhatt was surprised. “It’s love. There is also a certain kind of star who will make money at the box office. But now it can’t happen without content, after all it is the power of content that is pulling the audience to theatres. Of course, on the big screen. Larger than life is a certain experience that you cannot replace. However, one should go for good content which can stand the test of time. Hence, stardom comes from the content that you give to people,” she said. Told.
Alia Bhatt said that there is a lot of re-evaluation happening on the commercial side of films. “No one is sitting there, eating popcorn and saying, ‘Let whatever happens.’ Everyone cares.” (Express photo by Amit Chakraborty)
The actor, who made his debut with Karan Johar-directed Student Of The Year (2012), has featured in acclaimed films like Highway (2014), Udta Punjab (2016), Raazi (2018) and Gully Boy (2019). ,
Earlier this year, she gave a huge hit with Gangubai Kathiawadi, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Referring to the film, he said that playing the lead character was his “most challenging role”, adding that he did not follow any specific procedure.
“I knew I had to play him completely from my heart. Because we wanted his story to reach a larger audience, we were also trying to make it entertaining. It is very hard,” she said, adding that she prefers to completely lose herself in another person’s life. “That’s the most exciting part for me as an actor.”
Bhatt is soon set to make her Hollywood debut with Heart of Stone alongside Jamie Dornan and Gal Gadot. “I didn’t need to accent or wear some ethnic patchwork clothes for the project. A whole range of characters needed to be seen. Everybody wants India. Look at our numbers, we have so much strength.”
Asked to share a tip about acting based on her experience, Bhatt said: “Don’t take yourself too seriously.” Describing herself as “a little part of the puzzle” on a film set, she said: “Guess I really don’t know how good I am. I love what I do.”
The Express Adda is a series of informal talks organized by the Indian Express Group and features them at the center of change.
Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and MSME Nitin Gadkari, election strategist Prashant Kishor, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya were among those present. Among the past guests in Adda.