Small-film producers often rush into projects, unnecessarily increasing the budget due to excitement. While they manage to find a story they like, finding mid-range heroes willing to take on these projects becomes a challenge.
Mid-range heroes are not quick to accept offers from producers in that range. It also becomes problematic when the producer has the budget but lacks a compelling story from the viewpoint of mid-range heroes. This is where lesser-known heroes come into the picture.
However, even they demand significant sums of money. As a result, films that should have been completed within a budget of five to seven crores end up costing ten to fifteen crores.
There is an upcoming movie that was intended to be made within a budget of seven to eight crores. However, the hero alone took more than two crores as remuneration.
Additionally, there was a demand to shoot two songs in foreign locations, further pushing the budget beyond what was initially planned.
The burden on theaters cannot be ignored either. This hero does not have a strong pull at the box office, putting a burden of almost four crores on the theaters.
Another movie featuring a hero who has been experiencing a series of flops is in the making. This movie has cost around 15 to 17 crores.
The hero's non-theatrical earnings, if great, would be around ten to twelve crores. The rest becomes a burden on the theaters.
It is unlikely that the hero will receive five or six crores from the theater, but the movie must be released nonetheless. Industry insiders are surprised that the hero has been paid four crores for this film.
A recently released small film faced numerous challenges as a new producer with no prior experience made the film.
It took three to four years to complete the film, resulting in expenses of five crores. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a flop, leaving the producers regretful.
The producer could withstand this blow as he is in the real estate business. Otherwise, a flop of this degree would bring any other producer onto the roads.
Considering the current trend, small movies struggle to survive in theaters unless they receive excellent word-of-mouth.
It looks like the industry will finally gain clarity regarding the viability of films featuring small heroes. 99 out of 100 such films face a total loss at the end.
Even the OTTs are not acquiring small films for a good price if they fail at the box office.