Aamir's Ghajini sells for a record Rs 90 cr

Bollywood is on a roll. And the Khans are climbing over each other to make it to the top slot. 2007 clearly belonged to Shah Rukh Khan. Between Chak De India , for which he won accolades and which went on to become a huge box-office hit, and his home production Om Shanti Om that was sold for Rs 73 crore (all inclusive) SRK plundered, emerging the largest-grossing Khan last year.

2008 is barely into its second month. And another Khan, Aamir has just this minute made history. The remake of Ghajini , a thriller that has Aamir, Jiah Khan and Asin in the lead has, according to market sources, been picked up for a record Rs 90 crore (all inclusive).

Says a Bollywood trade analyst, " Ghajini has fetched more than Rs 90 crore in the sale of its distribution rights. Reportedly, Indian Film Company, one of the major film distribution houses, has picked up the domestic theatrical rights for more than Rs 50 crore. The film has garnered an additional Rs 40 crore in the sales of overseas, satellite, home video and music." Bollywood is ecstatic that the sale of the worldwide rights of films has seen a jump of nearly Rs 17 crore in just three months. Om Shanti Om was released on November 9, 2007. And Ghajini is likely to come after Diwali of 2008.

Confirming the news about the biggest-ever Bollywood film deal, producer Allu Arvind says, "We had been getting offers from various distribution houses for the film. Yes, the cumulative figure of the rights’ sale is above anything that a film has received so far. But we have selected our distribution partners not just for the price they have offered, but also for the value they bring as distributors and marketers."

And Sandeep Bhargava of Indian Film Company adds, "We have acquired the domestic distribution rights of the remake of Ghajini."

Bhargava refuses to talk money but he says, "Its one of the biggest films of the year and we are proud to be associated with it. The acquisitions of Welcome and Jab We Met have paid up for us and this year we have the Ghajini remake along with Singh is King . The revenue structure in the business is undergoing a change and the ability to maximise the returns is proving to be vital. We hope to add to our revenues through these anticipated films."

Even as film corporations make movie acquisitions at unheard of prices, there is a conservative section of Bollywood producers who warn the exorbitant price structures may just upset the apple cart.

"It has become impossible for an independent producer to make movies," says the source.

"Post Welcome , someone like Nana Patekar is demanding Rs 7 crore and Sanjay Dutt has signed a couple of deals for Rs 18 crore per film. If a star charges these prices, naturally world wide rights of cinema will soon cross the Rs 100 crore mark."

Courtesy: Indiatimes.com