How do film makers save crores from controversy? This trend is old, know how it works

The world of showbiz has a long association with controversy. In this world of controversies, the trend of boycotting films has also gained momentum in the recent past. If the actors say something, a scene seems wrong or the sentiments are hurt – a ban on the film is demanded.

When a controversy is created about a film, our innocent public thinks that it will be banned, scenes will be cut, or if nothing else, the audience will ignore the film. Due to this, the film or series will not be able to do any business. But… but… but sometimes the opposite happens. Or if we say that in today’s times, it gets into reverse gear, then it will not be wrong at all. In such a situation, it will not be wrong to say that by creating controversy, the makers often save their crores. If you don’t believe it, here is the proof.

Free promotion of IC 814

Let us explain you with examples. Recently IC 814 web series was streamed on Netflix. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, this series had a huge star cast like Vijay Verma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor, Dia Mirza and Patralekha. This story based on a real incident got so much air due to the controversy that even those who did not know about this series started talking about it. The watch time of the series was very high, it was even discussed in the ministry.

In the name of controversy, it was alleged that the makers have shown the hijackers as Hindus. The real names of the hijackers were hidden and their Hindu code-names were shown and in the show the terrorists were shown as soft and sensitive, while the Indian officers were shown as confused and lax in their work. For its clearance, even the content chief of Netflix had to come forward. The result was that the series will be run by giving a disclaimer. But what happened after this? After this, a big media meet was held, where all kinds of questions were asked, answers were sought. Which is also called film or series promotions in the industry. The series got a lot of hype only because of the controversy.

What do the reports say…

A report says that at least 20 to 30 percent of the budget of a film or series is spent on promotions just for its publicity. The crowd gathered in these promotional events largely determines how many people will come to the theatre to watch the film. The promotional budget of Bollywood films sometimes goes up to 25 to 30 crores. This includes city tours, publicity of stars by going to colleges-malls or sports events, participating in reality shows or TV serials and even articles in newspapers. This is not economical at all.

In today’s era, there is so much pressure of promotions that trailer and teaser launch events have to be made big budget. Sometimes even digital and radio platforms have to be used. Many times multiple PR agencies are engaged for the publicity of a film. In such a situation, imagine how much a controversy helps in getting free publicity for a film or series or even a song.

Now let us explain it to you by giving examples of some films, on which the controversy deepened so much that they could not even do promotions. But the films earned a lot of money at the box office.

The Kerala Story: Ever since the teaser of the film was released, it was surrounded by controversies. Initially, the director had given a figure of 32000 girls, and claimed that an attempt was being made to show the reality through the film. Radical Islamic groups had lured them and forced them to join ISIS. They were taken to Syria and handed over to terrorists. When the controversy deepened, he changed his statement. Then it was said that it had objectionable things about Hindu gods and goddesses, and there was also a scene of an interview of a former Chief Minister of Kerala. Therefore, a ban was demanded. After this, there was a lot of discussion and after a lot of cuts, the film was released. The film did a business of 302 crores worldwide and 286.5 crores in India.

The Kashmir Files: There was a lot of uproar over this film which shows the story of the massacre of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir. Calling it a propaganda film, a ban was demanded. It was said about the film that it shows half the truth and it has been made only to give a political message. Despite this, this film, made in a budget of just 15 to 25 crores, collected 341 crores worldwide and 252.25 crores in India. Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Bhasha Sumbli, Darshan Kumar were in important roles in the film.

Udta Punjab: Starring Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh, this film made on a budget of 47 crores did a business of 97.05 crores worldwide and 83.80 crores in India. The film was based on the drug racket spread in Punjab. According to the story, it was shown how the drug racket is corrupting the youth of Punjab. But the people of Punjab did not like this. There was a lot of uproar over the film, a ban was demanded. Despite this, the film became a huge hit.

PK: This Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma starrer film was a huge hit. The film was accused of hurting religious sentiments. The makers of the film were a part of TV debates for many days. After the release of this film, there was a lot of debate on religion. PK benefited from all this and it became a big hit. Made on a budget of 85 crores, this film earned 792 crores worldwide and grossed 507 crores in India.

Padmavat: Sanjay Leela Bhansali was finding it difficult to even shoot his film properly, let alone promote it. Religious organizations even attacked the set. The budget of this film starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor was 215 crores. But the film grossed 400 crores in India and 585 crores worldwide.

Recently, Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency is facing a lot of controversies. It will be interesting to see how much love the audience gives to this film.