Film Producer Sameer Dixit Interview

JYOTHI VENKATESH

What is your opinion about Marathi film industry today and the problems facing it?
Now the present scenario for the overall film industry is very gloomy and uncertain. Still it’s not clear when theatres will get open. There are more than 40 films due for release. The million dollar question is the response from the audience once theatre will open. We are trying to get best favored deals from exhibitors and multiplexes in favor of producers due to lockdown effect. I feel a couple of good commercial releases will create positive atmosphere in market.

What was the result at the box office of the films you have released recently?
Takatak was a blockbuster film and highest grosser film of last year with 15Cr. plus revenue .Moreover, we have 12 films lined up for release which got stuck up due to lockdown. Our last release Ibhrat stuck up and showed only for 3 days. Bhaybhit and Koti did excellent business among recent films.

Tell us something about your publicity business.
We have an exclusive tie up with CCD LED screen all over Maharashtra for the promotion of Marathi films and with ST Bus stations all over Maharashtra wherever we have exclusive promotional rights for films. We also have special deals with reputed outdoor companies like Minimax for Marathi film outdoor promotions. We are also in trading of Satellite OTT and other ancillary rights of Films

How much has your friend and partner Rishikesh Bhirang contributed to your success?
Rishikesh is a hard worker and has very cordial relations with all the multiplex chain Scheduling Manager, Exhibitor and Theatre owners. His predictions about success and box office collections are most of the time true. He suggests innovative strategies for exploitation of film in Theatres. Being an artist and a creative person his tips for Trailer and Promo along with poster design is very useful for promotion of
film.

What are your forthcoming Marathi films?
We have a big line up which is stuck for release--Zol Zal, Darling, Pakad, Jeevan Sandhya, Panty, # Prem, I Love Aishwarya etc. Next year we have some big sequels of the year lined up for release.