Indian audience equates Rs 100 cr with cricketer's century: Milan Luthria

Filmmaker Milan Luthria, who is looking forward to his upcoming offering "Baadshaho", says he is against the "unnecessary" pressure of getting into the Rs 100 crore club with a film and that is why his creative mind does not get affected to compromise on a story.

Luthria is known for delivering films like "Kachche Dhaage", "The Dirty Picture" and "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai".

Asked if he feels the pressure of making a business of Rs 100 crore at the box office with a multi-starrer film like "Baadshaho", Luthria told IANS here: "No, I do not feel the pressure of that, but yes like many filmmakers, even I want my film to get good numbers at the box office.

"I think our Indian audience have equated Rs 100 crore as a century of a cricketer. No matter how many times you have scored 99 runs, if you have not done 100s, you are not a successful player. It's sad. Honestly, personally, I am dead against it."

Giving some references of his past films, he emphasized on the likability of a film rather than the number game, and added that critics should consider a film as hit or flop by comparing its making budget and box office earning.

Luthria said: "I made a film named 'Taxi Number 9211' in a budget of Rs 6 crore. That film went on to make Rs 25 crore at the box office -- that's double of its investment. So, how come it is not a successful film for producers? My film 'The Dirty Picture' was made in Rs 20 crore and we did a business of Rs 90 crore.

"In both the cases, the films were liked by people and we got our money back. So, for a producer like me, these are successful films. I think this prediction of a film's business just by watching the trailer or debating on box office business is a good time-pass for people."

Asked if doing a multi-starrer film is a bigger risk or advantage to cater a wider audience and make a potentially successful project, he said: "It makes the film more interesting to watch. If I am taking three celebrated actors since they have their different fan followings, all of them will land up at the theatre and that that will grab more eyeballs.

"So, as a filmmaker, my job is to make the film more interesting. Therefore, I keep saying that a creative mind should not get affected by the box office number and as cliched as it sounds, makers should focus on a good story with its high entertainment value. I genuinely believe that a film works only for entertainment."

"Baadshaho", featuring Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Ileana D'Cruz, Esha Gupta and Vidyut Jammwal, will release on September 1.

-IANS