The Hindu Business Line : Balaji Tele plans three more films this fiscal

The television software company has chalked plans for three film projects during the current fiscal in the backdrop of its first film Kyaa Kool Hai Hum drawing in the crowds.

"This film has had gross ticket sales of Rs 15 crore in four weeks of its release," said Ms Shenazz Nadirshah, Head - Film Production, Balaji Telefilms. The film, made at a cost of Rs 8 crore, is drawing in full houses across cities and towns.

"The film is into the fifth week and we continue to run the film with 220 prints," she said. Normally, the declining popularity of the film leads to a fall in the number of prints in exhibition. The film has had a moderate success in its overseas exhibition. The film was released in the UK, the US, Fiji, Indonesia and Dubai. "In the overseas market the film did well in Fiji and Indonesia," Ms Nadirshah said.

"The success of the film has also prompted Balaji Telefilms to stagger the release of its home video. In fact, it sought the intervention of the Bombay High Court to release the home video on June 16 as opposed to the original release date of June 3. Under normal circumstances, VCD and DVDs are released after a four-week run in cinema houses and in the event the film is hit, the release could be staggered.

The profits accruing out this film would reflect in the company's accounts of the current fiscal, Ms Nadirshah said.

The entertainment company is currently involved in the production of another Hindi film Koi Aap Sa with actors Aftab Shivdasani and Natasha. A sequel to Kyaa Kool Hai Hum is the third project. Details of the fourth film project were not available.

Balaji Telefilms, which ended the 2004-05 fiscal with a net profit of Rs 41.3 crore (Rs 55.41 crore) on turnover of Rs 201.69 crore (Rs 184.45 crore), has been looking at derisking its business model.

The company, which had a large exposure to commissioned television programme, has been expanding its basket of sponsored programmes on regional channels. Alongside it has been looking at film production.

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