UTV refuses to leave Welcome

While we have already told you that the worldwide distribution rights of the Anees Bazmee directed Welcome have been procured from UTV by Studio 18/Indian Films for Rs. 60-crores, news is that UTV will still go on as the joint worldwide distributors of the film, as per their insistence! Unusual, isn't it?

When we queried about the same from our distribution/trade sources, the reason for the above was rather ironical! We were told that UTV, who had initially procured the rights of the film (from Firoz Nadiadwala for Rs. 45-crores), had neglected its promotion in favour of their own productions, like Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal and Jodhaa Akbar (much to the chagrin of Firoz). It seems that they have now realized their folly.

To elaborate, the average response to Goal, and the fact that Jodhaa Akbar is still far away, UTV want to keep in circulation by being associated with Welcome, especially in view of the tremendous audience response to the promos.

Well dear UTV, better late than never!