Manohar Wadwani with SRK,Rohit Shetty and Varun Dhawan at the special show of the movie
Nagpur: While the winter chills go down, the heat rises with two big Bollywood releases, all set to scorch big screens this Friday. Here comes Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale, which gathered much limelight owing to its super hit pairing of Shahrukh and Kajol along the young heart throbs Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon.
On the other end is Bajirao Mastani, a Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s dream venture starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra.
A massive trend in favour of Shahrukh’s flick Dilwale is quite evident, in which he joined hands with director Rohit Shetty once again, post their successful journey on board ‘Chennai Express’.
Back home in Nagpur, there is one person who is keenly looking forward to Dilwale mega release. Meet Manohar Wadhwani, Director Of Heera Laxmi Amusements Pvt. Ltd. and Dilwale’s sole distributor in CP and Berar Circuit in which the movie will be released across 205 screens with the capacity of running 900 shows daily. The CP and Berar circuit consists of Maharashtra (Vidarbha And Khandesh), major parts of Madhya Pradesh and entire Chhatisgarh.
Ahead of the release of Dilwale, Wadhwani shared his experience as a distributor, revealed some unknown facts of the film distribution and his own personal side, in a candid chat with Nagpur Today.
Wadhwani has pinned his hopes that Dilwale is going to make the clean sweep not only in his distribution circuit but across the globe.
The excerpts…
Dilwale is finally set to shine big screen. How hopeful are you about the movie?
– Being a distributor in CP and Berar circuit, I am quite confident of smashing hit results. Rohit Shetty and Shahrukh have shown their magical run at the Box Office earlier too, and I am sure it will work yet again.
You have stepped into film distribution business quite recently. Tell us about your experience so far?
-Well I have had my own share of success and failures in the business. Before venturing into film distribution in 2011, I practised as a lawyer in Nagpur High Court. Having a vast and rich academic track record, I was just optimistic about everything I did. By 2007 I had completed my B.Com, MBA, LLB from Nagpur University and then CCBM from IIM Bengaluru. While practising I was fascinated towards movie distribution process as my father Appu Wadhwani was into this. Eventually I sensed this business as my real calling. We got number of movies released which include Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (June 2011), The Dirty Picture, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, Kya Super Kool Hain Hum and more recently Rowdy Rathore, Dabangg2, Queen, Oh My God, Madras Cafe, Raaz3, Singham Returns, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and Hollywood flicks like Fast and Furious 6 and Avengers among others. For some movies we were All India Distributor while for the rest we managed CP and Berar circuit. We also suffered initial losses but its all about saying – the show must go on!
Given the high cost of movie making, the distribution has now gone a risky business. What’s your take on this?
– See, we need to face the fire if we are willing to book the profits. As I have realised that this the only destination where I should stay and progress, such things matter the least. But yes, truly speaking the distribution business is too risky and has been expanded beyond limits.
What are the factors involved in film distribution? How can it be improvised?
– At present there are 13 circuits of film distribution in the country. My CP and Berar circuit comprises 200-300 screens. With every film comes 16 rights, prominent among which include theatrical rights, satellite rights, music rights, digital rights and other rights. I guess pilferage and proper monitoring can help distributors neutralize their losses.
What are your other inclinations and interests?
– Well, to tell you the fact, I am the youngest elected member of Central Circuit Cine Association which include exhibitors, distributors and producers. Apart from that I am also the President of Sindhi Council of India, Nagpur Chapter.
What’s the key to survive in distribution business?
– I believe patience is the key here. Be patient and wait for your turn.
