Creating
a work of art is time consuming and more importantly costs money. Sometimes
a lot of money. And yes, there is no guarantee on it generating profits or even
achieving break even. The stakes in the Hindi film industry are very high and
is matched by the size of the market which is now almost the entire world. Even
then perhaps one in ten movies is considered a smash hit. That is, everyone
associated with the movie goes home smiling.
Now in the regional cinema market the dynamics
are very different. And here, it must be specified one is not talking about the
Malayalam or Tamil cinema markets which are just not confined to their
geographical boundaries. They connect with their large expatriate communities
abroad and the strong movie going culture has meant the industries are
thriving. Industries in states like Goa struggle to make ends meet. The
minuscule size of the market is not helped by the fact that the film going
population that watches Konkani cinema is miniscule. Goan filmmakers have not
been able to break the stranglehold of poor returns from the market and the
ever-increasing costs required for marketing the film. Now a Gaon actor is
coming forward to try and bring an alterative to the existing situation. Tapan
Acharyawho came to the limelight with his role in movies like Martin and
Aleesha is now in the process of launching an online platform called Bol-ETV
which will be accessible on Android and iOS devices. The interested individual
will have to download the software and only pay for what one watches. No
monthly subscription required and importantly for the creators of content it
guards against piracy. Tapan said “We do not allow video recording. If the
individual downloads the movie, he or she can take their time to watch it but
once they start watching it, they will have to complete watching it in 24 hours
otherwise the link will die out. To ensure there is transparency for everyone
who contributes content, as soon as some one in say London clicks on a movie
and downloads it and pay’s the requisite fees, the money is immediately shared
as per the agreement. He or she will get
his share, it will be wired over and we will get our share”.
The idea came following numerous
conversations with producers who expressed their frustration are not being able
to recover their cost. Tapan said “You have to remember the money in the
Konkani film industry is in London, Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain where there is a strong Goan overseas
market. They miss their home and would like to watch movies that remind them of
home. Today of the eleven movies that are announced around 7 hit the theatres.
They start off by going to Ravindra Bhavan or even Inox cinema which never
gives us the timings we want. So, you can imagine the impediments. This online platform
will help regional cinema to move beyond their geographies and explore markets
where there will be interest in their story.”
Indira Pai who is charge of interacting with
Goan film producers said the response was good with some people negotiating
rates and others waiting to complete a cycle before they could look at this
platform to connect with new audiences. She said “We are looking at Konkani,
Marathi, Malwani, Oriya, Assamese,Bhojpuri and the Haryanvi film industries
very seriously. We should be launching in phases and the first phase will
include Konkani which should go online sometime in November or December latest.
It will be over a couple of launches before all the languages promised will be
available online”.
SuchitaNarvekar the producer behind Questao
de Confusao had serious conversations with the management behind the platform
and said it was a very good alterative but presently she was still doing
ticketed shows Suchita said “I am happy at last there is an option exclusively
for Goan cinema. Today you have the multinationals like Netflix etc who are
providing options for young film producers. This platform for us in Goa will
help us connect with the youth residing in countries as diverse as the UK and
Kuwait. Technology will eventually save us. We will have to learn to use it to
our benefit. I have not signed as yet but once I am done with the theatre
circuit in Goa, yes I will then be sitting and talking with them”. Salil Naik
who has a project which is scheduled to commence shooting in December intends
to release it in March or April next year. Salil said “It is a wonderful idea;
we are in negotiations with the management. We have to find a way to break the
vicious cycle our industry is in. The size of the market is so small it is difficult
to earn a profit in Goa alone. We have to venture internationally, that’s the
only way”.
Perhaps the greatest enthusiasm was shown by
SiddhartYajiwho has a movie in hand. With the edit over and only the work on
the background music left, he said this app would be good for Goan given the
general cost of tickets in the state. He said “Inox is expensive and using this
app for as little as Rs 100 you can sit at home and watch the movie on your
phone. Importantly for me as a creator of content, my movie cannot be copied.
With our film we will first go the conventional way and release it at the
Ravindra Bhavan in Jan or Feb and then we go on the web to target the
international market. That is the way forward.”
