Anupam Kher’s latest directorial venture, “Tanvi the Great,” has reportedly struggled at the box office, grossing less than Rs 2 crore against a substantial budget of Rs 50 crore, leading to unpaid dues for actors and financers.
A Grand Vision, Unexpected Struggles
Actor and filmmaker Anupam Kher poured his heart into “Tanvi the Great,” his second film as a director. He undertook an extensive publicity tour, even arranging a special screening in New York attended by Robert De Niro and presenting it at the Cannes Film Festival.
However, despite the buzz, the film faced an uphill battle. It debuted alongside the box office sensation “Saiyaara” and managed to collect less than Rs 2 crore in its first five days. This figure stands in stark contrast to Kher’s admitted production cost of Rs 50 crore.
The Costly Pursuit of Creative Freedom
Kher revealed in an interview that the initial financier for “Tanvi the Great” pulled out just weeks before production was set to begin. Faced with a potential indefinite delay, he decided to push forward, securing funds from an unconventional source.
He reached out to friends and acquaintances outside the film industry, including doctors and businessmen. This unique approach resulted in “Tanvi the Great” having as many as 10 co-producers, effectively making it a crowd-funded project.
Kher emphasized his desire to maintain creative independence, stating that he specifically avoided working with a traditional studio. He also shared a remarkable detail: the main cast members, including Arvind Swamy, Jackie Shroff, Pallavi Joshi, and Boman Irani, all chose to defer their payments until the film recouped its costs.
Kher’s Reflection on Box Office Realities
While acknowledging the film’s low collections, Kher noted that “Tanvi the Great” hasn’t achieved “earth-shattering collections or anything.” He reflected on how the film industry has become heavily business-oriented, often equating box office success with a film’s quality.
He explained the unexpected challenge of losing his primary financier at a critical moment. This forced him to seek support from a diverse group of non-industry individuals who believed in his vision.
The “Saiyaara” Shadow
The release of “Tanvi the Great” coincided with the blockbuster success of “Saiyaara,” starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. “Saiyaara” has gone on to earn over Rs 150 crore, completely overshadowing Kher’s film and highlighting the fierce competition in the current cinematic landscape.
- “Tanvi the Great” was made on a reported budget of Rs 50 crore but collected under Rs 2 crore.
- Anupam Kher crowd-funded the film after an initial investor withdrew at the last minute.
- Key actors like Arvind Swamy, Jackie Shroff, Pallavi Joshi, and Boman Irani have not yet received their payments.
- The film faced significant competition from the hugely successful “Saiyaara.”
The journey of “Tanvi the Great” underscores the unpredictable nature of filmmaking and the challenges faced by independent projects in a competitive industry.
