Gulabo Sitabo Bought By Amazon for Rs 35 Crores, To Premiere On June 12

With the  announcement  of  the new Shoojit Sircar film Gulabo Sitabo going digital  the   entertainment  industry is  sharply polarized  about  the  dos  and  donts  of   digital  releases  for big-screen projects.

A  livid  multiplex spokesperson who spoke tme me   blamed Shoojit Sircar for “unleashing a tiger he can’t control”.  This multiplex says  it will ban Sircar’s future films from  release,although how   that is possible is unclear.

 What is clear is  the impatience of  the  Gulabo Sitabo producers Sheel Kumar and  Ronnie Lahiri to  get back their investments  as  soon  as possible.

A  source in the know says the producers’ initial  demand  sent  Amazon scurrying for cover.

“They initially wanted  Rs 70-75  crores  from Amazon as they(the producers) claimed that  was the  kind of  boxoffice profits they expected. But Amazon  refused to bite the bait. They were not willing to go beyond Rs 30 or  at the  most Rs 35 crores.And that’s the sum  Gulabo Sitabo  was sold for,” says  the  source.

Gulabo Sitabo  is a rom-com about a squabbling landlord and tenant played  by Amitabh  Bcahchan and Ayushman Khurrana.

 In an interview  some time ago  Khurrana had raved, “All my recent film have tackled issues.This one  is  pure fun, and  I  had so  much fun  doing it.  I  was sharing screen space for  the  first time with  Amitji. That in  itself  was enough  incentive  to be part of Gulabo Sitabo.On top of that, this  is a  film directed  by my mentor Shoojitda(Shoojit Sircar). Even if he asked me to just stand in one frame  for a few seconds I’d do it happily.”

Adds Amitabh  Bachchan, “Gulabo Sitabo is a slice of life, dramedy that is a must watch for families at home,” said actor Amitabh Bachchan, “I was excited about my role since the first time Shoojit showed me the character’s look. It took me almost 3 hours each day to get into character with its different look. I had a wonderful time working with my very talented co-star Ayushmann Khurrana. Even though we are constantly bantering in the film, it has been a pleasure working with him for the first time. This family entertainer has the power to cut across geographic boundaries and we are pleased to bring Gulabo Sitabo to audiences across the globe.