Akki’s experimental loss!

Akshay Kumar might be the blue-eyed boy when it comes to masala Bollywood films but in the experimental zone, his film has been indefinitely pushed back. Market slowdown coupled with the ongoing stand-off between film producers and multiplex owners are reasons that are being cited by movie makers who are turning to roll out non-risk movies for audiences which are out-and-out entertainers.

In this urge to have guaranteed returns during recession, very few are inclined to make offbeat and experimental cinema even though big stars might be involved in such projects. Akshay and Sonam Kapoor starrer Come On Pappu was going to the floors but is now off the radar. The film which had a budget of Rs90 crore narrates the story of how a relationship develops between a chimp and Akshay.

A source close to the development says, “Akshay Kumar might be quite a big hit when it comes to masala films, but in this market scenario offbeat films are very high risk. You will see that most big stars are doing utter commercial cinema as producers want those movies to release now which will fetch them good money. Except for Kites or Endhiran or London Dreams, not many big budget films are being made today. Risking Rs90 crore in this market is too much for this genre and more so as Percept has had big losses with Jumbo as well as Tasveer.”

Navin Shah of Percept Picture Company which is making the film confirmed, “It is true that we have indefinitely pushed back Come On Pappu; it is due to the market conditions. We are not shelving the film, but the market now needs chalu cinema that entertains people,” he says. “It is not the right time for innovation. People want to see feel-good cinema during recession. They would not like to stress their minds even in a theatre. People want to eat dal-chawal right now and when the time is right for pasta, we shall serve it to them.”