Small-budget films are show stealers!
The race for the content is getting bigger and hotter! In the post-pandemic era, action films like “Vikram”, “KGF: Chapter 2”, “RRR”, “Pushpa: The Rise” from the south with a dash of emotion have been sweeping the box-office. Few big-budgeted movies have incurred big losses for its producers; like “Bachchhan Pandey” and “Samrat Prithviraj”; whereas small and mediocre budgeted films are bringing in profits and recovering their investments. Recent releases like “Jugjugg Jeeyo”, “Janhit Mein Jaari”, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2” and “The Kashmir Files” were show stealers.
Experts and trade analysts say that if a small-budget film doesn’t earn at the box office; chances of it recovering its costs is higher, backed by the sale of digital, television, satellite, music and OTT (over the top) rights.
Rajesh R. Patel, an N.R.I. from England and his father Rajanikant R. Patel are the new entrants who too have joined the bandwagon of filmmakers with a film being made on an average budget. They have just completed a Hindi thriller which is tentatively titled as “Humsafar Saaya”; and is being readied for an early release.
Rajesh R. Patel is one of those young and dynamic producer who is born and brought up in India and has graduated in B.A. He is a successful and popular entrepreneur from Chesterfield in United Kingdom for the past 26-years. Today, the cinematic experience has to be more pronounced and Rajesh Patel too has a positive approach towards types of films and its content. “I watch mostly Bollywood movies. Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar starrers are my favourites. Of late, I have just seen ”Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2” and have enjoyed the fare. I even watch horror movies especially from the production house of Ramsay Brothers and Vikram Bhatts’. Because of my dad’s interest and experience I have ventured into the business of cinema. My father Rajanikant Patel is an eminent screen writer. He has done notable works; especially as a dialogue writer. “Humsafar Saaya” is our second venture from our banner Om Shivam Pictures. It is a suspense drama and features Akash Gaharwar, cousin of Govinda who is a good actor and dancer too. Then there is new comer Simi Khan being introduced in the female lead opposite him,” reveals Rajesh R. Patel.
Not everyone has the guts to put their money where there hearts is. Producers Rajesh R. Patel and his father Rajanikant R. Patel believes in diving into uncharted territories with the stories they plan to bring it to the celluloid world. The makers have created a film that is narrative, promising and entertaining. The music will also take the viewers on a journey to the heart of the hinterlands.
Asked about if the film not collecting the desired numbers on the box-office; Rajesh replies, “Small films may not do good business at the box-office always, but they can be a good watch on television or OTT platforms. While there’s no doubt that Digital platforms have opened a whole new playing field not only for filmmakers but actors too. But given any time the lure of big screen is undeniable. During pandemic and lock-down of cinema halls; Digital platforms proved to be the obvious route to release films. There are contents which may not do well at the ticket windows; but if the word of mouth is good it can prove to be sleeper hits.”
His father Rajanikant R. Patel added, “As we are all evolving, our films are evolving too. Technology helped us tide over the pandemic. Maybe it is good to release some films on OTT. I guess it is a safer decision if the filmmakers think that the audience will prefer to watch it at home than in theatres. Filmmakers are looking at stories with big ideas. I have been into script writing in the 90s and early 2000. During 2003 I had some medical issues and since then I am staying with my sons; especially with my youngest son, Rajesh in U.K. It is tough to understand which script will connect with the pan-India audience. Experimenting and thinking out of the box is important to stay relevant. Our aim is to provide diversity and give wings to the stories that need to be told and reach a wider audience. This film “Humsafar Saaya” is a thriller which has all the ingredients – the leading duo’s chemistry, melodious music, action and intriguing suspense quotients that will make this thriller a must-watch film.”
The tentatively titled film, “Humsafar Saaya” is written and directed by actor Raaj Gautam alias Rajendra Pandey. The movie checks all the boxes when it comes to the making of a masala. It revolves around love on one hand and lust at the other at work places and thereon the mysterious happenings thereafter. The thriller delves into the quirky and twisted psyche of human beings.
Akash Gaharwar, the cousin of Govinda who has similar acting and dancing talents plays the lead. He is an effortless performer. The film marks his maiden collaboration with newcomer Simi Khan as his female lead. They share the screen space with talented actors like Shreya Yadav, Manoj Mishra, Pramod Moutho and Raaj Gautam himself. All the characters were evidently having a ball of a time.
A major chunk of the shooting was held in Nasik and the roads of Aurangabad with a small stint in Mumbai. Vinod Sharma is the director of photography.
There are five melodious songs in the film which are rendered by eminent singers like Shabab Sabri (Teri jawani badi mast mast…. fame), Soumi Banerjee, Mamta Sharma (Munni badnam hui…. And “Fevicol se…. from Dabangg) and Shekhar Rawat. Nawab Shawab and Dharmendra Singh Badoriya have provided the musical scores.
Gear up for some thrills with “Humsafar Saaya”; the movie that is literally emerging from the shadows…with an exciting journey.
Rajesh R. Patel – Rajanikant R. Patel
Rajesh R. Patel’s HUMSAFAR SAAYA too sets the course