South Asian Business news and information

Jodhaa Akbar celebration party and Aishwarya Bachchan’s dream role:
On November 12^th, the actors and crews of Jodhaa Akbar movie gathered to celebrate the completion of the shooting. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik and Ashutosh Gowariker came with their spouses. As the music turned on, Aishwarya, Abhishek, Hrithik started to groove with the bit. Hrithik and wife Suzanne left a bit early but Aishwarya and hubby Abhishek stayed for a long time. Abhishek even took over as disk jockey. Yesterday, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had an interview with the press in New Delhi. She said that her role in the movie, Jodhaa Akbar was one of her dream roles. 

Jodhaa Akbar global distribution rights:
It looks like UTV is planning to take up the profit of Jodhaa Akbar in one big sweep. How? The company is planning to sell the global distribution rights of Jodhaa Akbar. Can you imagine what is the cost? Well, the price is Rs. 800 million. The production cost of the movie was around Rs. 400 million. The welcome of Jodhaa Akbar acquired by UTV was Rs. 550 million. Eros International bought the global distribution rights of Om Shanti Om in Rs. 750 million. Jodhaa Akbar is no less. It has stars like Aishwarya Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan and director like Ashutosh Gowariker. It is going to be one of the most expensive Bollywood movies. I do not see any scope of incurring loss. Do you?

UTV will keep the audio rights of Jodhaa Akbar:
Well readers. Earlier, news came out that Big Music acquired the audio rights of Jodhaa Akbar but at the last moment the company decided to postpone the project. Now, UTV has decided to acquire the audio rights of the movie. UTV is planning to set up their own music company and their first project will be Jodhaa Akbar. A.R. Rahman composed the music of Jodhaa Akbar. Rumor came out that to keep the movie within three hours, Ashutosh Gowariker removed to songs from the movie one of which was a lavishly shot kawali song. Later, Ashutosh denied the claim. Big Music did not acquire the music rights because UTV was not giving enough time to promote the music of Jodhaa Akbar.

Release of Jodhaa Akbar may be shifte to February or March:
This is what happens when you do not plan properly. Both Ronnie Screwvala and Ashutosh Gowariker are well experienced in movie business; then why they are making such a big mess with their movie. As I was searching for the latest news on the net, I found out that the release of Jodhaa Akbar may be postponed again. First it was supposed to be released in October; then they shifted in January and now February or March. This is very disappointing. The worst thing is that the producers did not focus on marketing and promotion of the movie. Usually, the promo of a Hindi movie starts at least two/three months before the release of the movie; but Jodhaa Akbar’s promotion started last week. If the movie releases in January, there is not much time left. In addition, at the last moment UTV has decided to promote music of Jodhaa Akbar. I think if Jodhaa Akbar incurs any loss then poor marketing and management will be the main cause; not the movie.