Saif Ali Khan’s last six films, including his latest release Chef, have failed to leave a mark at the box-office. Also, his next and only pending release, writer-turned-director Akshat Verma’s Kaalakaandi, is most likely to be acquired by Netflix India. Though the deal hasn’t been confirmed yet, apparently serious negotiations are underway between Netflix and the film’s producer Rohit Khattar (Founder and Chairman of Cinestaan Film Company).
According to reports, Akshat Verma has apparently been left out of the negotiations too.
Netflix is a solid platform to release Kaalakaandi and the producers, who are in panic mode post Saif’s flop binge, are happy to have found a way out for what they see as a niche film. But Akshat and Saif are hopping mad. Their logic is simple – the film was never designed for the small screen. It is not a niche film as far as Akshat and Saif are concerned. If Akshat was asked to make a film for the digital platform, he would have made it in a different way. Kaalakaandi is made for the large screen. And to release it on a digital platform, no matter how posh the outlet, would be extremely damaging to Saif’s career at this juncture.Says a source close to Akshat Verma
But the film’s producers (Cinestaan Film Company) are not willing to listen. Why would they, when they see a quick recovery of their investments at a time when their film’s leading man seems to be headed towards doom?
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