Akshay Kumar and Bell Bottom team gets an offer of additional Rs. 30 crores from Amazon Prime Video for an early OTT premiere

Bollywood Hungama had exclusively informed our readers that Akshay Kumar and the team of Bell Bottom have decided to opt for an early premiere on Amazon Prime Video. In our scoop, we revealed that Bell Bottom will premiere on the digital world within 3 weeks of its release date in the theatres. The newsbreak created a stir in the trade and as expected the multiplex association decided to revolt against the strategy of early OTT premiere.

According to trade sources, the multiplex owners had decided to raise their concerns on the premiere in such a short timeframe on OTT. And now we have another scoop. A highly placed source has informed us that the team of Bell Bottom has received an offer of a premium pricing from Amazon Prime Video if they decide on an early premiere. "If the film premieres within 3 weeks of release, Amazon Prime Video will pay the Bell Bottom team an additional Rs. 30 crores over and above their signed deal [the conventional premiere pattern of 6 to 8 weeks]," the source informed Bollywood Hungama.

This is a big amount for the team of Bell Bottom, as the theatrical revenues are expected to be low given the pandemic scenario. It's the magnitude of money that's too lucrative for them to reject and hence, they have more or less zeroed in on this release plan. As it is, the film would do miniscule business post the 2 week run given the current pandemic. So it's better to grab the additional Rs. 30 crores and make it a win and win scenario for producers. Even exhibitors would get some fresh content to screen," the source explained.

While through this, the producers are in the plus making profits, the exhibition sector is divided as everyone in the industry is discounting the fact that the exhibition sector has been the worst hit in the pandemic. "While it's a profitable move for producers, the exhibitors might lose out on the audience. Why would anyone risk to watch a film in theatres if it's available for free in less than 20 days? The single screens are bleeding and such a move will hamper their business further in the longer run. Short OTT window would mean faster death of single screens, as it would open up another avenue for producers to mint money. Today, it's Bell Bottom, tomorrow, it could be anyone else."

Also Read: Multiplex Associations at loggerheads with the producers of Akshay Kumar’s Bell Bottom over digital release plan

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NCB arrests Armaan Kohli for illegal possession of cocaine

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested actor Armaan Kohli for illegal possession of drugs, on August 29. On Saturday, August 28, the actor's residence was raided after which the same evening, he was taken to NCB office for questioning. According to the reports, on Saturday, a team of the anti-drugs agency had intercepted one major drug peddler, Ajay Raju Singh. He was in possession of illegal drugs. The same day, the agency launched a follow up operation after interrogation of Singh. Following his inputs, the agency headed to Armaan Kohli's house. As per reports, a small quantity of cocaine was recovered. Armaan Kohli was arrested in 2018 by the Excise department. He was caught possessing 41 bottles of scotch whiskey at his residence which was against the law. On the work front, Armaan Kohli has worked in films like Jaani Dushman and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo . Also Read: NCB raids residence of actor Armaan Kohli in drugs case, taken in for questioning

Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson and Salma Hayek starrer The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard to now release on June 16

Actors Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson are returning in the sequel of Hitman’s Bodyguard which released in 2017. This time, Salma Hayek joins the cast. Titled The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard , Lionsgate and Millennium have announced that the film will now release on June 16. The announcement was made on Monday along with the title logo reveal. only in theaters june 16, 2021. #hitmanswife pic.twitter.com/rAxSbZNvPq — Lionsgate (@Lionsgate) March 29, 2021 Along with Ryan and Samuel, Salma Hayek, and Richard E. Grant will reprise their roles. The new cast includes Antonio Banderas, Morgan Freeman, and Frank Grillo. The film is directed by Patrick Hughes and the script to be penned by Tom O'Connor. ALSO READ: Cruella, Free Guy, Death On The Nile and more new release dates announced by Disney

Nag Ashwin’s sci-fi thriller with Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan to go on floors around June-July

Telugu film director Nag Ashwin is best known for his National Award winning film Mahanati that starred Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan, Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Akkineni. Now, the filmmaker is getting ready for his next big pan-India project which will star Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone. The film was announced last year and currently Nag is working on the pre-production of the film. The project, like many others, got delayed due to the pandemic. However, talking to a tabloid, Nag Ashwin said that he has been fine tuning the script and logistics. He also had his round of meetings with all three leads separately. He said that pre-production has been going on for a long time and that they will take the film on floors in June-July. Ashwin will once again be collaborating with Spanish cinematographer Dani Sanchez-Lopez and composer Mickey J Meyer after Mahanati for the upcoming film. Veteran filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao has been brought on board as a mentor...

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