EXCLUSIVE: Ramesh Taurani looks back at his 29-year journey as a producer; clarifies on Sanjay Kapoor’s claim about Salman Khan’s prominence on Auzaar posters: “We NEVER planned that Sanjay ko poster pe chota dikhana hai ya Salman ko usse bada dikhana hai” 29 : Bollywood News

October 12, 2024 News जन मंथन

Ramesh Taurani will complete almost 30 years in the film industry as a film producer. Earlier this year, in February, he completed 27 years as a full-fledged producer. His first film, which was solely produced by Tips Films, was Auzaar (1997), starring Salman Khan, Sanjay Kapoor and Shilpa Shetty. In an exclusive interaction with Bollywood Hungama, the veteran, reputed producer spoke about his journey and a lot more.

EXCLUSIVE: Ramesh Taurani looks back at his 29-year journey as a producer; clarifies on Sanjay Kapoor’s claim about Salman Khan’s prominence on Auzaar posters: “We NEVER planned that Sanjay ko poster pe chota dikhana hai ya Salman ko usse bada dikhana hai”

Was Auzaar your first film?
Yes, it was. Actually, before Auzaar, we made five films but those were joint ventures. Those films were Coolie No 1 (1995), Raja Hindustani (1996), Beqabu (1996), Haqeeqat (1996) and Jeet (1997). Auzaar was our first full-fledged production.

Talking about Auzaar, Sanjay Kapoor has often said in interviews that on the poster, his picture was smaller than Salman Khan’s and that the latter told the producers, ‘If you want to have this kind of publicity, then don’t put my name’….
We never ever planned that Sanjay Kapoor ko poster pe chota dikhana hai ya Salman Khan ko usse zyada bada dikhana hai. It was always intended that way. It was a proper two-hero film. Salman never had any comments on it. He, in fact, liked our promotional plan.

You’ll complete 30 years next year as a producer. Do you feel it was easier to make films then or is it easier to make films now?
Tab picturein jaldi ban jaati thi because actors used to work more. Bharose pe kaam bahut hota tha. We used to talk on the phone and sign actors. There was trust that this producer would make a good film. Now, people have become very selective.

Earlier, a couple of newspapers and trade magazines used to publish reviews. But now hundreds of people are reviewing films, especially on digital platforms. Do you think reviews matter, or they can make or break a film?
Reviews definitely matter but only to an extent. Now, there are too many reviewers, as you rightly said. Anyone can write anything about your film on social media. That is a problem. Ultimately, word of mouth is paramount and that’s what will make or break your film and not the chatter on social media.

30 years ago, film ticket and popcorn prices were reasonable. Now, there’s a demand that inflated ticket rates should come down. The success of Cinema Day, when tickets are sold for Rs. 99, has strengthened their arguments. What’s your take?
When the film tickets are sold for Rs. 99, even popcorn is sold at reasonable prices, though the tub or cone are smaller. And that’s fine. And yes, definitely, people come if the ticket prices are cheaper, and it leads to higher footfalls. That’s why during Cinema Day, all theatres are house full, and all kinds of films run with 100% occupancy. So yes, it does make a difference. But one can’t expect theatres to sell tickets for Rs. 99. It’s too low a price for multiplexes to maintain their properties. However, they can keep the tickets a bit more reasonable. Nevertheless, the multiplexes are also coming up with schemes. PVR has started the Passport offer. So, for less than Rs. 400, you can watch 4 films and people are availing its benefits.

But at the same time, the rates of Animal were never reduced, and it didn’t even have one plus one offer. Hence, when a film has to work, it will, regardless of the rates. Even 12th Fail makers also didn’t opt for such ideas. Moreover, when a small or mid-sized film releases, the theatres are also mindful of the rates and don’t sell them for exorbitant prices.

During the pandemic, the theatres stopped charging virtual print fee (VPF). But now it’s again been charged and there were discussions that it should have a sunset clause. Any update on this front?
That sunset clause has long passed! Yet, they continue to charge VPF. It’s a fight that’s going on.

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