Technoglitch
Core Member
The Kollywood overseas market is today worth around Rs. 250 crore, the second biggest after Bollywood.
Unlike other south Indian languages, the market for Tamil films is evenly spread across the globe. In the case of Telugu cinema, for instance, 85 per cent of its total overseas revenue comes from the U.S alone, while Malayalam films make 75 per cent of their overseas revenue from the Middle East. Malaysia, which has traditionally been a popular Tamil film market, controls 35 per cent of the overseas trade and remains the biggest, although USA may overtake it shortly.
According to a leading London-based overseas buyer, “The market is hot, but needs a correction, as prices have gone through the roof. The return on investment is paltry. New players have come into the business and they’re buying films at unreasonable rates.” The cost of releasing a Tamil film outside India is five times what it was a decade back, due to wide digital release. The cost includes VPF (virtual print fee), freight charges, customs clearance, censor charges at the destination country and subtitling fees. UK censor charges alone amount to 1,800 pounds (around Rs. 1.75 lakhs). In Malaysia, France and the Middle Eastern countries, subtitling in English and the local language—Malay, Arabic or French—is a mandatory requirement.
In the US, only three Tamil films have done business upwards of $1 million (Rs. 6.5 crore)—Enthiran($2.8 million), Lingaa ($1.6 million) and Vishwaroopam ($1.25 million). A total of 17 Telugu films have crossed the same figure with Baahubali ($8 million) at the top. A film’s success in the overseas market largely depends on the timing of release, positive reviews and word-of-mouth popularity.”
A Malaysian buyer of Tamil films says, “Some people don’t seem to realise that they’re killing business by buying films at exorbitant prices. Piracy, too, is a major issue. Theri’s pirated prints were available even on the day of the release.
Tamil film business in overseas market - The Hindu
Unlike other south Indian languages, the market for Tamil films is evenly spread across the globe. In the case of Telugu cinema, for instance, 85 per cent of its total overseas revenue comes from the U.S alone, while Malayalam films make 75 per cent of their overseas revenue from the Middle East. Malaysia, which has traditionally been a popular Tamil film market, controls 35 per cent of the overseas trade and remains the biggest, although USA may overtake it shortly.
According to a leading London-based overseas buyer, “The market is hot, but needs a correction, as prices have gone through the roof. The return on investment is paltry. New players have come into the business and they’re buying films at unreasonable rates.” The cost of releasing a Tamil film outside India is five times what it was a decade back, due to wide digital release. The cost includes VPF (virtual print fee), freight charges, customs clearance, censor charges at the destination country and subtitling fees. UK censor charges alone amount to 1,800 pounds (around Rs. 1.75 lakhs). In Malaysia, France and the Middle Eastern countries, subtitling in English and the local language—Malay, Arabic or French—is a mandatory requirement.
In the US, only three Tamil films have done business upwards of $1 million (Rs. 6.5 crore)—Enthiran($2.8 million), Lingaa ($1.6 million) and Vishwaroopam ($1.25 million). A total of 17 Telugu films have crossed the same figure with Baahubali ($8 million) at the top. A film’s success in the overseas market largely depends on the timing of release, positive reviews and word-of-mouth popularity.”
A Malaysian buyer of Tamil films says, “Some people don’t seem to realise that they’re killing business by buying films at exorbitant prices. Piracy, too, is a major issue. Theri’s pirated prints were available even on the day of the release.
Tamil film business in overseas market - The Hindu
