Veteran Bollywood producer Vashu Bhagnani — who has delivered box-office hits like Coolie No. 1 and Hero No. 1— is confident of his upcoming action film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (BMCM) starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. Bhagnani had made the laugh riot Bade Miyan Chote Miyan back in 1998, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda, and now plans to turn BMCM into a multi-genre franchise. We caught up with Bhagnani about his experience of making the spectacle movie, working with Akshay Kumar and his plans to go to Hollywood.

How did the new version of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan come to life?

Vashu Bhagnani: We had the title Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and were wondering how to make a film around it. Jackky said, ‘Let’s take this to the action genre. I’ll speak to Ali Abbas Zafar.’ When we spoke to Ali and everything was finalised, we were stunned that this would become something else altogether. It took us six months to script and finalise everything else with Ali. We started the film in January 2023 and within 14 months we are releasing the film.

Was the decision to make it an action film taken because only spectacle films are working in the theatres?

Vashu Bhagnani: Anyone who makes films primarily looks at three things – make a good film, earn money, and earn a name. We wanted to make a spectacle movie because we wanted our brand Bade Miyan Chote Miyan to grow so big that the next generations would also make subsequent films under this franchise. We might make a comedy because we want to turn it into a huge franchise. Across the nation and the world, franchise films are being made. There’s certain fun in these films and we wanted to make a fun movie.

Jackky suggested Ali’s name. I had watched his films like Sultan, Bharat and Tiger Zinda Hai, and was amazed by his vision and craft. But I had never thought of making an action movie because that was not my zone.The film has come out very well and everyone is happy.

We share a lovely relationship with Akshay Kumar. He never asked us how we were planning to shoot the film and what the schedule would be. I salute him for this. People say — like they used to say about Govinda that he would come late for shooting — that Akshay gives only 40-odd days for a film. But there was no such thing during Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. He had heard the narration of the script and knew that the film would require time. He was very comfortable during the shoot. He never troubled us with dates. There was no pressure on Ali from the actors or the production. He got everything that he needed for his vision.

You are known for spending a lot on your movies. How do you work in today’s times when most are worried about the return on investment?

Vashu Bhagnani: I look at it like this – the movie is being made for me. This business is going to be running for years. Of course, you have to be mindful of ROI. But sometimes, you have to take that extra bit of risk because you know what you’re making. Today, business has gone much higher. Business of Rs 500-700 crore is not a big thing. Soon, the business might reach Rs 2,000 crore if the film is great.

I have been talking to people in some countries where Hindi films have never been released. But because we’re making good content, we can talk to them like Hollywood makers. Had it been my usual Rs 30-40 crore film, I wouldn’t have bothered to talk about it in these countries. But at the level and range at which Ali shot Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, it compares directly with Hollywood films.

When you see the film, you will realise the trailer was nothing compared to it. Usually, people put the best shot from the film into the trailer. We were spoilt for choice in terms of best shots. Prithviraj Sukumaran is the surprise package in the film.

The cross-pollination of actors between North and South is adding value to the business of cinema.

Vashu Bhagnani: There’s an interesting mix of audience today who are exposed to different kinds of cinema. People who have watched Prithviraj in Salaar, which was a huge hit, will come to watch the actor in our film.

My reason for moving to the UK was to become a Hollywood filmmaker sooner or later. I want to make films with a mix of Bollywood and Hollywood actors. For them too, I will be from the UK, not Bombay. The South cinema is growing very fast and we are very happy. We are making Indian movies. If we can grow together, then why not?

What is your take on OTT’s role in a film’s business?

Vashu Bhagnani: OTT or whatever other medium it would be, our mindset is only theatres. OTT gives you a certain amount. You think that your recovery has been taken care of. Then you get something from the music rights and satellite rights but we have to earn a large chunk of money from the theatres. It’s part of the business. If there’s no OTT, we will make smaller movies.

The producer’s income is only five to 10 percent. Whatever they’re selling, they’re taking 10-12 percent risk accordingly. Everyone is taking that risk. OTT is not a bonus. We want the theatre business to grow even bigger.

What do you have to say about the clash between Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Maidaan?

Vashu Bhagnani: Over the last 10 years, two films have often been released on the festival weekends, and most of them have done business. There’s no reason to have any complex or fear. Maidaan is a wonderful film. Two of my friends, Boney Kapoor and Ajay Devgn, are involved in it. Both films will work. Definitely, everyone has that greed for some extra buck.

Barfi was released in 700 screens but it did a business of Rs 100 crore. So, today, the number of screens is just a myth. Even if you release your film in 2,000 screens, you can still do a business up to Rs 500 crore. You don’t have to release the film in 5,000 screens.

If your number of screens is more, your occupancy gets distributed into 20-30 percent. But if you have a smaller number of screens, you can have an occupancy of 70 percent. We need cumulative business.

What is your vision for Pooja Entertainment in the near future?

Vashu Bhagnani: I want to take my company Pooja Entertainment to the West in the next couple of years. I want my company’s brand to go higher and higher. We have made 50-55 films with almost every big star. I don’t have to prove myself.

If I can mount a film like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan with Indian actors, why can’t I mount it with Hollywood actors? I won’t have to prove to anyone after this film. It’s that good a film.

Do you plan to make more franchise films?

Vashu Bhagnani: We have many popular titles. I made Coolie No. 1 as a comedy. I will try to make other titles into something else so that people will know it’s a new film. When Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was announced, people thought that we would use the title song from the original featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda. But soon they realised that it was a different film, so they stopped talking about it. We don’t want to lie to the audiences that there will be loads of comedy in this film because it’s a different film.

Is it true that you approached Shah Rukh Khan for a film to be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar?

Vashu Bhagnani: I like Ali and his business partner Himanshu. I feel like I have got my extended family. We have made a lovely film.

We had a call with Shah Rukh Khan and he was happy that a producer and a director called him. I told him that we are working on a script and we should work together, he said, ‘Why not?’ So, after this, we will finish the script and narrate it to Shah Rukh. If he likes it, then why not collaborate?

How do you see your son Jackky taking charge of things?

Vashu Bhagnani: Jackky is mature enough to take on the responsibilities and for the last five years, he has been handling all the things. I rarely come to Bombay (from the UK). Only Jackky could have brought Ali on board. I wouldn’t even have thought about it.