Posted:
MSD biopic goes for Rs 80 cr?
By Roshmila Bhattacharya, Mumbai Mirror | Jan 8, 2015, 12.00 AM IST
Buzz is, Rs 20 crore has already been paid to Dhoni for the rights to his life story.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni may have announced his retirement from India's Test playing squad but off the field he is still a name that sells, more so in Bollywood.
Ever since his biopic, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story was announced with Sushant Singh Rajput in the title role, it has become a muchcoveted project with plenty of buyers expressing interest to come on board.
Now, Mirror has learnt that the film has been acquired by Fox Star Studios. Not surprising, considering the studio has major investments in a sports channel that they own, making the film a marketable and commercially viable property.
A source close to the development told Mirror, "Negotiations have been going on for a while but the deal has only recently been sealed for Rs 80 crore. Of this, Rs 20 crore has reportedly been paid to Dhoni for the rights to his life story. As part of the backend deal, the cricketer will also get a share in the film's profits and royalties"
When contacted, the studio's spokesperson said: "Discussions are on but the figures you mention are completely incorrect."
The film is gearing up for a release later this year and is written and directed by Neeraj Pandey. Since the filmmaker is currently finalising the script, he refuses to say even a word on the biopic, pointing out that he has signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the makers of the film.
The film will not only trace the journey of India's World Cup winning captain on the field but also reveal interesting aspects of Captain Cool's personal life.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni may have announced his retirement from India's Test playing squad but off the field he is still a name that sells, more so in Bollywood.
Ever since his biopic, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story was announced with Sushant Singh Rajput in the title role, it has become a muchcoveted project with plenty of buyers expressing interest to come on board.
Now, Mirror has learnt that the film has been acquired by Fox Star Studios. Not surprising, considering the studio has major investments in a sports channel that they own, making the film a marketable and commercially viable property.
A source close to the development told Mirror, "Negotiations have been going on for a while but the deal has only recently been sealed for Rs 80 crore. Of this, Rs 20 crore has reportedly been paid to Dhoni for the rights to his life story. As part of the backend deal, the cricketer will also get a share in the film's profits and royalties"
When contacted, the studio's spokesperson said: "Discussions are on but the figures you mention are completely incorrect."
The film is gearing up for a release later this year and is written and directed by Neeraj Pandey. Since the filmmaker is currently finalising the script, he refuses to say even a word on the biopic, pointing out that he has signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the makers of the film.
The film will not only trace the journey of India's World Cup winning captain on the field but also reveal interesting aspects of Captain Cool's personal life.
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