Block Booking Done to Pamper Star’s Ego, it’s Rubbish: Kunal Kohli
In the world of Bollywood, box office numbers are everything. A film’s success is often measured by its opening weekend collections, and the box office figures continue to be a crucial factor in determining a movie’s fate. One practice that has been prevalent in the industry for years is ‘block booking’, where filmmakers buy tickets for their own films to show bigger collections. However, this practice has been widely criticized, and the latest to join the chorus of disapproval is filmmaker Kunal Kohli.
Kohli, known for his films like ‘Hum Tum’ and ‘Fanaa’, believes that block booking is nothing but a ploy to “pamper” the “star’s ego”. In an interview with a leading newspaper, Kohli slammed the practice, saying, “What’s this rubbish?…We make the film, we release the film and then we only buy tickets. What’s the need to buy tickets before the film releases?”
Kohli’s comments are a refreshing change in a industry where block booking has become a norm. The practice is often used to artificially inflate a film’s opening weekend collections, making it seem like a bigger hit than it actually is. This, in turn, can lead to a positive word-of-mouth and higher footfalls in subsequent days.
However, Kohli is not convinced. He believes that the only reason to engage in block booking is to “pamper” the “star’s ego”. This, he believes, is a misguided approach as it does not benefit the film or its audience in any way. “What’s the point of buying tickets before the film releases? It’s just to show the star that the film is doing well. It’s all about ego,” he said.
Kohli’s views on block booking are not unique. Many in the industry have criticized the practice, saying it is unfair to the audience and can lead to a skewed understanding of a film’s true worth. The practice can also lead to a culture of artificial inflation, where films are hyped up to unrealistic levels, only to disappoint when they fail to live up to their promises.
The practice of block booking has been around for years, but it has become more prevalent in recent times with the advent of social media. With the help of social media, filmmakers can now easily create a buzz around their film, and with block booking, they can also artificially inflate its opening weekend collections.
However, Kohli believes that the practice is not only unfair but also unethical. “We make the film, we release the film, and then we only buy tickets. It’s not fair to the audience, it’s not fair to the film,” he said.
Kohli’s comments are a wake-up call for the industry, which needs to recognize the harm that block booking can cause. The practice may inflate box office numbers, but it can also lead to a skewed understanding of a film’s true worth. It is high time that the industry takes a closer look at this practice and decides whether it is truly beneficial or just a ploy to “pamper” the “star’s ego”.
In conclusion, Kunal Kohli’s views on block booking are a breath of fresh air in an industry where the practice has become a norm. He believes that block booking is nothing but a ploy to “pamper” the “star’s ego” and that it is unfair to both the audience and the film. It is high time that the industry takes a closer look at this practice and decides whether it is truly beneficial or just a misguided approach.
