Budget Trap Robbing Blockbusters

. Now, rumours are spreading that most awaited films Varanasi and Ramayana budgets increased astronomically. But many big budget films are now struggling to reach breakeven as OTTs decided to implement cost cutting and question marks over box office performances.

SS Rajamouli’s Rs 1200-1400 crore budget for Varanasi and Nitesh Tiwari’s Rs 4,000 crore alleged budget for Ramayana would seem impossible to recover. Producer Shobu Yarlagadda speaking to scribes shared “We are more than in the past dependent on theatrical box office performance to make profits. There is no easy answer, but more than ever we need to focus on quality scripts and stories which are best experienced in theatres and as a communal viewing experience. Also, we need to control and limit budgets, especially on what’s not seen on the screen. Profit-sharing in the back end with lead talent should also be considered to limit budgets. OTT deals are happening for films, but values have corrected significantly.”

Producer Deepak Mukut added “We need to rethink how films are financed, marketed and monetized. Audiences today are far more selective. Going forward, big films need stronger storytelling, tighter budgets relative to expected revenue, global appeal, strategic franchise building and clear theatrical revenue targets. The industry may also need to move away from the mindset that scale alone guarantees success. Spectacle can attract attention, but only compelling content creates sustained audience demand. The winners will be those who balance ambition with financial discipline and create genuine event cinema that audiences feel is worth leaving their homes to experience.”