When Suriya’s Kanguva hit cinemas, claims of its performance varied wildly. Producers boasted ₹127 crore gross in three days, while trade trackers like Sacnilk pegged it closer to ₹70 crore. Insiders whisper that inflated earnings are now routine in Indian cinema.
Experts admit box office manipulation has long existed. Atul Mohan, a seasoned analyst, recalls older films tweaking figures by 5-10% for bragging rights. Today, post-pandemic pressure has driven producers to amplify earnings more aggressively, hoping to present an illusion of success.
Social media has amplified this trend, with daily updates on collections dominating platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Actor Manoj Bajpayee points out how audiences now focus on revenues rather than reviews, shaping their decisions. Analyst Ramesh Bala suggests inflated numbers act as a marketing tactic, convincing viewers of a film’s quality.
Critics argue word-of-mouth remains the strongest driver for ticket sales, not figures. Publicist Mandvi Sharma believes that while earnings might sustain buzz, personal recommendations ultimately fill theatres.
Another tactic, “corporate booking,” involves brands bulk-purchasing tickets as part of promotional deals. While some view this as artificial inflation, experts like Sumit Kadel dismiss concerns, saying it’s neither unethical nor illegal.
Trade analysts face challenges balancing credibility and pressure from studios. When discrepancies exceed ₹2-3 crore, many choose trade figures over official ones. Despite hopes that the obsession with collections will fade, this phenomenon remains deeply entrenched.
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