Liquor business runs because of the weakness of alcohol addicts. Gambling clubs flourish because of weakness of gamblers. Similarly the heroes are flourishing because of the weakness of the producers.
When the producers lose big money in a film, they tend to earn double to cover up the loss and compete with other producers in procuring the dates of the heroes.
In the process, the heroes are demanding huge remunerations and the producers are paying advances to them by spending long time paying interests.
The latest trend is giving away a huge margin of shares to the hero apart from the remuneration. The hero-driven and hero-centric industry is being patronized the producers with their gambling mindset.
To discuss and example, Sharwanand was with two flops by the time he signed Sreekaaram. Still he asked for the remuneration of Rs 8 Cr.
The haggling skills of the producers made the hero agree to a remuneration of Rs 6 Cr and some incentives if the film works at the box office. But it is shocking to understand the confidence of the producers in giving 6 Cr to Sharwanand and market the film.
Right now, the plight of several producers is changed. The income through non-theatrical business has become big. Almost 60% of the film's production cost is coming through non-theatrical rights. But the heroes are not leaving anything to the producers.
Some heroes have gone to the extent of demanding the entire non-theatrical rights as their share after taking the remuneration.
If the film works, then the producer will be left with some marginal profit. If it flops, then he has to burn his pockets to clear all the interests and dues. Even then, there is no guarantee that the hero will save the producer by giving his dates again for concessional rates.
The reason for this hostile atmosphere is nothing other than the gambling nature of the producers. As long as the producers live spineless like this, things never change but go worse for the producers' community.
