Budget Comparison: The Most Expensive Indian Movie Against Avengers: Endgame and Why It Matters
The phenomenon of big-budget Indian cinema has been steadily growing, with several films boasting production budgets of over 500 crore (US$60 million). Among these, one film stands out as the most expensive: Lets see, which had a production budget of Rs. 542 crore for its 141 minutes of runtime. This translates to an average of Rs. 3.88 crore per minute, which is remarkably less than the budget of the Avengers: Endgame and Infinity War combined, known for its massive $356 million (Rs. 2846 crore) and $324 million (Rs. 2501 crore) budgets respectively, with Endgame alone costing around $2900 crore. This translates to an average of Rs. 18 crore per minute for Endgame, which is nearly 5 times more than Lets see.
Actor and Technician Salaries
One of the significant costs for Lets see was the remuneration of actors and technicians, amounting to a whopping Rs. 242 crore. This represents approximately 44% of the total budget. The film featured renowned actors like Rajini and Akshay Kumar, who received substantial salaries for their roles. In contrast, Endgame saw a combined actor and technician salary of $80 million or approximately Rs. 620 crore, which is only 20% of the total budget. Interestingly, most actors in Endgame were paid in percentage points, with only a few getting flat fees. This stark difference in salary distribution highlights how Indian movies allocate funds differently compared to Hollywood blockbusters.
Technology License Costs
The cost of technology and visuals for Lets see was Rs. 165 crore, with a significant portion, 40%, going towards technology licenses from second-rate Korean or US software. This means that only Rs. 13.2 crore was spent on visual effects. This figure represents 34% of the total budget, indicating a heavy reliance on licensed technology. On the other hand, Endgame spent $159 million, with no additional license fees as the technology used was developed by American companies under the Palo Alto laws of the early 2000s. This means the entire $159 million was spent on visual effects, making it approximately 53% of the budget. While Lets see managed to spend only Rs. 15 crore on publicity, which includes an audi launch, a promotional campaign, and a post-release celebration, Endgame spent a whopping $100 million or 25% of its budget on marketing efforts, including games, figurines, and action figures.
Why the Discrepancy Matters
The comparison between Lets see and Endgame reveals a significant disparity in how budgets are allocated and utilized in Indian cinema versus Hollywood blockbusters. The reliance on licensed technology and the lower salaries for actors and technicians in Indian films suggest a need for the industry to develop its own technology and pay its stars more appropriately. This not only helps in creating more indigenous content but also ensures that the industry can sustain and grow on its own terms. The future of Indian cinema lies in investing in homegrown technology and creating more opportunities for its stars. Only then can Indian cinema truly compete on a global stage and stand its ground against the well-funded productions coming from the West.