Ajay Devgn’s next, Himmatwala, produced by UTV Motion Pictures, has started raking in the moolah even before the release of the film. An industry source reveals that the deal for the satellite rights of the film has been closed a week before the theatrical release at a figure higher than Rs. 40 crore.
It’s the highest so far for an Ajay starrer.
The source says that around five channels vied for the telecast rights. It was Zee that eventually bagged the rights to premiere the movie and
have select runs. "There is a clause, however, that UTV Movies too can have unlimited runs of the film and can further syndicate the movie to other channels," the source adds.In the past, television rights for Ajay’s film Bol Bachchan (2011) sold for approximately Rs. 28 crore, Singham (2012) for around Rs. 30 crore and Son Of Sardaar (2012) for approximately Rs. 33 crore.
When contacted, Amrita Pandey, executive director, international distribution, syndication, Disney UTV, says, "Himmatwala is one of this year’s most-awaited movies, and this deal ensures that we derive the best possible overall value for the movie."
Ajay shares the same sentiment and feels that this move will increase the buzz surrounding the film before its upcoming release. "This landmark deal sets a great benchmark for the satellite values of films and has come at an opportune time for us. It shows the tremendous buzz that Himmatwala has already generated," says Ajay.
The film is director Sajid Khan’s remake of the Jeetendra-Sridevi starrer Himmatwala (1983). It is set to hit theatres on March 29.
MORE ON HIMMATWALA
Ajay Devgn plays Holi for Himmatwala
Actor Ajay Devgn visited the sets of Zee TV’s Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke along with his Himmatwala co-star Tamanna and director Sajid Khan for its Holi special episode. The trio will seen making a spirited entry at lead protagonist Rachana’s (played by Mahima Makwana) place on the day of Holi.
Ajay’s entry will see him smashing earthen pots with a tight kick.
Ajay Devgn takes on a tiger for Himmatwala
Back in the day, Amitabh Bachchan took on a real tiger in a stunt sequence in Mr. Natwarlal (1979). Of course, those were the days before CGI. In a surprising move, now, Ajay Devgn has repeated the stunt for his next, Himmatwala.
Director Sajid Khan says, "For the tiger-fighting scene, we flew to Mauritius. There’s a tiger farm there, where all the tigers that are used in films are trained by professionals, and the stunts are performed under their guidance."
Ajay Devgn turns multi-lingual for Himmatwala
Actor Ajay Devgn will be seen speaking in five languages in his forthcoming movie Himmatwala. The actor will speak the five languages during an action scene in the remake film of 1983 blockbuster of the same name. "In the film, five goons from five different states come to beat Ajay, and all of them speak a dialogue. After bashing them up, Ajay repeats their dialogues in their language. I have kept subtitles so that people can understand it," Sajid Khan, director of the film, said in a group interview.
Wouldn't have touched Himmatwala if it was Mughal-e-Azam: Ajay Devgn
Actor Ajay Devgn, who plays the male lead in the remake of the 1983 movie Himmatwala, says if the film was a classic like Mughal-e-Azam, the new team would have never touched it. "We would never try to attempt a Mughal-e-Azam, because we could never try to beat a Mughal-e-Azam. We can only do films which we have got the ingredients for and feel that we can better," Ajay told reporters.
"Otherwise, what is the point of making a film. So you should never touch classics," he added. The comment came as a reaction to Sridevi's past comment that Himmatwala was no Mughal-e-Azam. Sridevi had played the lead heroine in the original, opposite Jeetendra.
Wouldn't have touched Himmatwala if it was Mughal-e-Azam: Ajay Devgn
Actor Ajay Devgn, who plays the male lead in the remake of the 1983 movie Himmatwala, says if the film was a classic like Mughal-e-Azam, the new team would have never touched it. "We would never try to attempt a Mughal-e-Azam, because we could never try to beat a Mughal-e-Azam. We can only do films which we have got the ingredients for and feel that we can better," Ajay told reporters.
"Otherwise, what is the point of making a film. So you should never touch classics," he added. The comment came as a reaction to Sridevi's past comment that Himmatwala was no Mughal-e-Azam. Sridevi had played the lead heroine in the original, opposite Jeetendra.
Sajid Khan’s starry affair in Himmatwala
Sajid Khan has recreated the long gone era of Jitendra and Sridevi, stars of the original Himmatwala. From the sets to the the songs and choreography, everything is a revisit to the golden era. All of Sajid Khan’s films so far — Heyy Babyy (2007), Housefull (2010) and Housefull 2 (2012) — have been multi-starrers. Though his next, Himmatwala, goes against the theme, with Ajay Devgn and debutant Tamannaah in the lead, the director seems to be making up for that with the presence of star kids behind the camera.
We’ve learnt that all the assistant directors (ADs) of the film belong to film families. A source says, "Though this time Sajid does not have a multi-starrer flick, it boasts of a multi-starrer crew. All the ADs of Himmatwala have a filmi background."
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