'Malayalam film producers get only 1/3 of gross collection, barely 10 films give ₹10 cr return annually': Listin & Ranjith at Hortus

Hardly ten Malayalam films released in a year ensure returns of ₹10 crore or above for the producers, and only 1/3 of the gross collection goes to those who invest in films. Producers M Ranjith and Listin Stephen delivered some hard truths about Malayalam cinema during a discussion with writer Lijeesh Kumar at the second edition of Manorama Hortus on Sunday.

"If a film makes ₹150 crore, the producer gets around ₹55 crore. Then there are payments to be made to the government, distributors and other stakeholders. It's the gross collection figures which lead to Income tax raids. Now the officials have come to realise that total collection is not the actual profit," said Ranjith.

He also said that the number of films being produced in Malayalam cinema came down from 247 in 2023 to 229 in 2024. "This year it will be around 200-210," he said. When quizzed about the producers' association to release box office figures, Listin Stephen said that the bridge between the expense and the returns has widened.

"Since Covid, the remuneration of the artistes and the technicians has gone up. Now, satellite rights and OTT are two distinct aspects. This has affected returns. We decided to release actual collection figures to serve as reminder to those who take huge money as remuneration. Our intention was not to drive away new producers. Only 5% producers rely on own fund to produce a film, rest of the fraternity avail loans, partnerships and other means to make a film," said Listin.

The session presented two radically different approaches to film production. It's been two years since Ranjith decided to produce the hit film 'Thudarum'. He said that the draft of 'Thudarum' was revised 23 times. After 'Thudarum', he has heard around 50 stories and is yet to decide on a movie. Listin on other hand said he loves the thrill of taking risks and multitasking.

His company is building around 60 film screens across Kerala and simultaneously, he is producing five films. "I love taking risks. Someone who is more educated and qualified than me is often circumspect about taking risky calls. When I do it without second thoughts, they marvel at me and I feel good about it. I have seen many ups and downs in my life. I believe I have been lucky. People come to me for partnerships because they think I have a magic formula for hits. I don't have that, I just believe in luck," said Listin.

Ranjith said that his youth was crushed by failures. "My third film flopped. I had to sell everything including my car. I fought my way back. There was a time, when people wouldn't invite me for the pooja before a film shoot. I was considered unlucky. I know how that feels, hence I don't hold big functions for pooja before film shoot. It's a very closed function involving my family and the crew. We pray everything turns out well. I had been a loser myself; I don't need anyone to tell me how failure feels," he said adding that if Malayalam cinema does well,it is because of the audience's insistence on quality.

"Kerala has some of the best projection facilities. The audience demands that. It's the quality of our viewers. They want that theatre experience," said Renjith. He also recollected the failed studio venture of his uncle. "I grew up watching my uncle being mired in debts. He ran a press and would gift me books on cinema. He wanted me to succeed in films," he said.

On a concluding note, Listin had one piece of advice for aspiring producers. "If you think that one flop could break your family, never go for this. I am telling this from my experience. Cinema has given me everything. It has changed my outlook," said Listin.