Ronnie Screwvala: Building audience for a film pre-release important

Ronnie Screwvala: Building audience for a film pre-release important

With Vasan Bala's 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' garnering praise at the 20th MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, producer Ronnie Screwvala says building an audience before a film's release is very important for its business. Screwvala said: "If we would have released the film directly after its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival, it would have not created the buzz it has here at the MAMI fest. I think that building an audience for a film before its release is very important. "When a film like ‘Mard Ko…' gets a release after a few festival rounds, the film will not only get judged by the box office but also gain popularity and good words from the festival audience." "We are not obsessed about platforms whether it is digital, festival circuit or theatrical release. I think every film, every content has its own platform and we have to place it accordingly." So, is it difficult these days to release a film in the theatre? "I would say 'yes'... If you as a producer, over-set yourself for the theatrical release. And no, it is not difficult if you know that it is a 200 prints release and through the theatre, you are reaching to the target audience, it is all good. But releasing 2000 prints with a high expectation might just affect its business if the audience response is not good enough.