Thu. Mar 28th, 2024
Indian audience equates Rs 100 cr with cricketer's century: Milan Luthria

The Indian film director Milan Luthria says that he is against the unnecessary pressure of getting into a Rs 100 crore club. Milan Luthria is gearing up for his upcoming movie titled ‘Baadshaho‘, which is written by Rajat Arora. It is a story of “six badasses” set in the emergency period of 1975 when they looted a truck full of gold. The film features Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Esha Gupta, Ileana D’Cruz and Vidyut Jammwal in the lead roles.

Milan has directed movies like ‘Kachche Dhaage’, ‘The Dirty Picture’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’. Milan says that his mind does not get affected to compromise on a story.

When asked does he feel the pressure of making of Rs 100 crore at the Box Office collection with his movie titled ‘Baadshaho’. Milan said, “No, I do not feel the pressure of that, but yes like many filmmakers, even I want my film to get good numbers at the box office. I think our Indian audience have equated Rs 100 crore as a century of a cricketer. No matter how many times you have scored 99 runs, if you have not done 100s, you are not a successful player. It’s sad. Honestly, personally, I am dead against it.”
Looking at his past films, Milan focuses more on the story of the film rather than on the number game. Milan said, “I made a film named ‘Taxi Number 9211’ in a budget of Rs 6 crore. That film went on to make Rs 25 crore at the box office — that’s double of its investment. So, how come it is not a successful film for producers? My film ‘The Dirty Picture’ was made in Rs 20 crore and we did a business of Rs 90 crore.” Milan added, “In both the cases, the films were liked by people and we got our money back. So, for a producer like me, these are successful films. I think this prediction of a film’s business just by watching the trailer or debating on box office business is a good time-pass for people.”
When asked that doing a multi starrer film is a risk or advantage. On this Milan said, “It makes the film more interesting to watch. If I am taking three celebrated actors since they have their different fan followings, all of them will land up at the theatre and that that will grab more eyeballs.” He added, “So, as a filmmaker, my job is to make the film more interesting. Therefore, I keep saying that a creative mind should not get affected by the box office number and as cliched as it sound, makers should focus on a good story with its high entertainment value. I genuinely believe that a film works only for entertainment.”
 The movie ‘Baadshaho’ is scheduled to release on September 1.