“Yes, it’s true that Yash Raj Films (YRF) struck a deal with the Sony channel a few days back,” says an industry insider. “And although everyone is tight-lipped over the price tag, it’s definitely on the higher side considering that the film is seeing a phenomenal buzz.”
Insiders further explain the deal: “Actually, YRF has sold the rights of a clutch of their films, including Ishaqzaade, for a whopping amount to Sony. And after doing the calculations, it’s clear that Arjun-Parineeti’s film has gone for around R15 crore. Depending on its box office response, the price can still go up a bit,” he says.
For the uninitiated, Ishaqzaade marks the debut of Arjun, the son of producer Boney Kapoor and the late Mona Kapoor. Moreover, Parineeti Chopra, Priyanka Chopra’s cousin, also stars in the film. The Ambala girl was last seen in Maneesh Sharma’s Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl (2011).
“All Yash Raj ventures come at a premium considering that their success rate is very high. To put things in perspective, a debutant’s film from any other banner will fetch around Rs. 4-5 crore, but a YRF movie stands to get a much higher amount,” says trade analyst and editor of Koimoi.com, Komal Nahta.
Before Ishaqzaade, newcomers Ranbir Kapoor’s Saawariya (2007) had apparently made R7-8 crore from the satellite deal, while Imran Khan’s Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008) makers pocketed around Rs. 8-9 crore. Another debutant film, the Prateik-starring Dhobi Ghat (2010), took about Rs. 10 crore. But it must be noted that Kiran Rao’s movie became a big-ticket project largely thanks to Aamir Khan’s presence in the film.
While Sony refused to comment, Ishaqzaade’s official spokesperson says, “YRF never discusses numbers. But considering that the buzz around the two newcomers Arjun and Parineeti is very strong, it (the satellite rights) has surely been sold for a very high amount considering it’s a debutant film.”
