Ra.1 gets less price than Aarakshan?!

MUMBAI: Rumours that Sony channel has bought the satellite television rights for Hrithik Roshan-starrer Krrish 3 for a record Rs 37 crore have thrown broadcasters in the market for film rights in a tizzy. Other Bollywood stars too seem to be demanding more for the rights of their films.

Rumours about the rates stars are negotiating with broadcasters are flying thick and fast; they are also being denied. The latest is that satellite rights for the tentatively-titled Dhuaan, produced jointly by Excel Entertainment and Aamir Khan Productions, are being negotiated at around Rs 40 crore. But both the star and production house denied this.

There was also talk that Star TV had bought Shah Rukh Khan's magnum opus RA One - with some estimating the deal price at Rs 40 crore. But Star Gold Business Head Hemal Jhaveri, who is responsible for buying satellite rights for the Star Group, says the figure is way below Rs 30 crore. "If I have really paid the price I am rumoured to have paid, Star might end up becoming the producer of the film," says Jhaveri.
Broadcasters are getting jittery. Sony Senior VP and Business Head Sneha Rajani says, "The highest risk is being taken by the broadcaster who is investing without seeing the film." That's what Sony has done with Krrish 3, which will start production only in December.