We have always believed in making the best kind of films, whatever the genre might be. Jodhaa Akbar has been liked by everyone.
Jaldi five
Siddharth Roy Kapoor: EVP, marketing, distribution, syndication, UTV Motions
What is the latest update on the protests against Jodhaa Akbar all over the country?
All we can say is that the film has not been banned officially in any part of the country. There are some groups in Rajasthan which are objecting to the film, but in Gujarat it is only some pockets that are affected. As a result of this, not many distributors for Rajasthan are willing to show the film.
What are you doing to sort out the situation?
We have been getting lots of calls from Rajasthan from people who want to see the film. Given that in some ways it is about people from Rajasthan, we want to do our best to see that it is shown there. Talks are on and we are hopeful of reaching a resolution.
Can you put a figure to the losses you may have incurred due to this delay in screening the film there?
Not really, because we haven’t calculated the same yet. However, the market in Rajasthan is worth around four to five crores, and given the kind of anticipation that the movie enjoyed, we have definitely suffered losses in that region.
Will this controversy deter UTV from making another period film?
Not at all. We have always believed in making the best kind of films, whatever the genre might be. Jodhaa Akbar has been liked by everyone, so there is no question of anything deterring us.
How has the response to the film been in other parts of the country?
The response has been great. We have been getting great reports of box office collections in line with our expectations. The reviews too have been favourable; this small glitch (protests) has not really dampened our enthusiasm.
As told to Shilpa Jamkhandikar
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}