Forced exit!

The business of filmmaking has helped the industry by cutting down losses, but at the cost of edging out small distribution networks.
It's all about networking. If producers used to run after distributors to buy their films till recently, the same is not the case these days. Filmmakers who associate themselves with big production houses have little to worry about as they can be assured that their movie will reach the audiences through a streamlined network.But the catch is: what happens to movies that don't have strong backing?
Production houses playing the role of distributors is the need of the changing times, feels Praveen Nischol CEO, Film Production, Adlabs films Ltd, which has its own distribution network for films. "Big production house is in a better position to market the film compared to someone without known backing. And it is a positive trend as it helps new talent to get a window to express their creativity," he says. Probably, that is the reason why movies like Khosla Ka Ghosla or Pyaar Ke side Effects made by debutant directors see the light of day. But then, what happens to small-time filmmakers and producers who have to hunt for distributors?
The industry says...
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh feels that most film producers prefer going through their own distribution channels as it is a more transparent system, and they feel they have more control over their films. "Also, the feeling of not getting the right price for their films doesn't arise as they sell it the way they want it and in the sectors they want to."
Even as big filmmakers now latch on to a big production house to deal with their headaches, no distributor would risk buying a film from a small film producer. Balabhai Patel, producer and distributor of Aashique Banaya Aapne says, "Today, a film with a budget of Rs 1-2 crore has no scope of surviving and small-time distributors are totally out of work today. The risk is too much for them to buy a film." Director Kunal Kohli feels the loss that small distributors are facing is bound to happen. "It's a natural growth phenomenon. Big distribution companies will tend to eat up the business. As for the small distributors, they only have two options. Either they join the big distribution companies or move out of business," he says.
No way out
While production houses have turned into distributors, stars releasing their own movies have also made things difficult for small time distributors. Buying saleable films is not easy for them as they are exorbitantly priced by the producers and are usually sold to multiplexes. As Yogesh Oza, a Gujarat-based distributor says, "Now, with big banners producing and distributing films through their own channels, we are left with only small budget films by producers and directors who don't have their own network." Manu Shangani, owner of Chitradhoot film distribution too has faced similar problems.
"My business has been down by almost 50 percent in the last one year. We have to now depend on small budget films and that too which are either 'B' or 'C' grade. I am surviving by distributing English dubbed films in small theatres," says Shangani. Agrees Raju Shukla, distributor of Shringar films, "Corporatisation has brought about huge changes. Even if a distributor buys a film at a huge price and it doesn't do well, it's a huge loss for him."
What lies in the future?
People from the industry agree that soon distribution, which was till now a disorganised set-up, will get more streamlined and work to the advantage of the producers by cutting their losses. As Patel says, "Today, filmmaking is all about luck and money. If you have the money, you can afford saleable stars and good promotions. Otherwise, it's difficult to survive."
It seems even small time film producers will have to now tie up with a big production house or face losses. Adarsh says, "Small-time distributors have now been totally relegated to the background. Most filmmakers will now prefer collaborating with a production house which would do everything for them including promotion to minimise the losses."