Much hyped multi-lingual film Baahubali, The Beginning is hitting the screens on July 10 in about 4,500 theatres across the world, even as the film-makers are facing criticism for selling the tickets at premium. It is being released in over 15 countries, with the US taking a lion’s share with 200 screens.
Directed by S S Rajamouli, the film is being released in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi. Shot for over two years, the film has generated interest nationally and internationally. With Telugu actor Prabhas and Rana in the lead roles, the film is touted to have ‘Hollywood range’ visual effects.
Though producers and directors have not spoken on the budget, film circles peg the cost of the project at Rs 150 crore. After taking a break for a couple of months, the film crew is expected to begin work on the second part. It has already shot about 40-50 per cent of the second part during the two-year long project.
Rajamouli, who doesn’t have a single commercial flop in his 14-year-long career, has hinted that he might make movies in Bollywood too.
With the problem of piracy staring at them, the producers had moved a local court to take legal protection from unauthorised copying. In order to keep tabs on piracy, the producers used digital watermarks on each of the prints to nail down the offender.
Demand it
The producers have tied up with digital media company Eventful to allow film goers to request for screening of the film in a theatre nearby. “If you are living overseas and are worried that the film may not be screen in your city, we have a solution for you. Eventful’s application, Demand it! lets people determine the location of any chosen event,” a member on Baahubali crew said.
“In other words, you now have the power to request for Bahubali to be screened in a theatre near you,” he said.
Criticism
As it attracted huge attention, the film also faced severe criticism from several quarters. Social media has become a platform where people criticised the producers for jacking up the ticket prices. Reports suggest that tickets are being sold in the black market in the range of Rs 700-2,000.
Some Facebook and Twitter users also found fault with the director’s appeal against piracy. “They straight away lift scenes from Hollywood flicks. How can they talk against piracy and copying,” an FB user wondered.