LIGHTS. CAMERA. COLLAPSE?

SKY-HIGH STAR FEES, SHRINKING RETURNS, THE OTT RETREAT. AND A STRING OF BIG-BUDGET FLOPS INDIA'S FILM INDUSTRY' IS FACING A MOMENT OF CRISIS

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CHALUVE GOWDA TAKES A DEEP BREATH, AS HE DESCRIBES THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY

THE TREMORS IN his voice are emblematic of the undercurrents among producers, distributors, exhibitors, et al. He measures his words before expressing utter disappointment. “This,” he says, pausing, “has been the most challenging situation for the film industry.”

The man is not a mere spectator in the movie business. A name to reckon with in the Kannada film industry, as the co-founder and Managing Director of Hombale Films, he has produced blockbusters such as KGF: Chapter 1 and a sequel, followed by Kantara, Salaar: Part 1—Ceasefire. For someone sitting as pretty with these big-budget successes across languages as he is, what could possibly worry him? Well, Gowda’s pessimism stems from the larger problem plaguing the industry.

“Nontheatrical revenues have dropped in many cases but both cost of production and artist fees have taken off sharply,” he says. Be it the Hindi film industry (Bollywood to most) or down south, the malaise is widespread. The conventional business model is under threat, and if Gowda is to be believed, it is the producer who is taking the big risks, with no guaranteed return. For the ₹18,700-crore Indian movie business (according to the 2024 FICCI-EY report on the media and entertainment sector, which includes domestic and overseas theatricals, digital/OTT rights, broadcast rights and in-cinema advertising), the moment of truth is staring in the face.