Yash Raj Films rejects Rs 400 crore offer from Amazon Prime for OTT premiere of its upcoming projects

According to reports, Aditya Chopra, chairman of YRF, refused to settle for a digital release for the studio's upcoming projects, as he believes they are meant to be enjoyed on the big screen.

Aditya Chopra | Twitter

Yash Raj Films (YRF) has reportedly turned down an offer from Amazon Prime Video for a digital release for its roster of upcoming releases. According to Bollywood Hungama the production banner was offered over Rs 400 crore for this deal.

A trade source told the outlet that many streaming giants are eager to collaborate with YRF and include it's new projects in their libraries. However, Aditya Chopra, chairman of YRF, is steadfast in his belief that the these films are meant for the big screen experience.

The trade adds that during the second wave of the pandemic, when there was no clarity over then cinemas in Maharashtra would reopen, Amazon Prime Video had approached YRF to release four of its films.

In spite of the massive sum, and the profit that would have followed, Chopra turned down the offer.

The source further tells Bollywood Hungama that Amazon Prime was willing to bargain with Chopra and take on any of the studio's four films, if not all. They were aware that Chopra did not want to part with Akshay Kumar-led Prithviraj or Ranbir Kapoor's Shamshera so they presented a counter offer for films like Bunty Aur Babli 2 and Jayeshbhai Jordaar.

The source also notes that Chopra did not sell Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra's Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, which did not fare well at the box office, so it would have been impossible for Amazon Prime to grab Jayeshbhai and Bunty Babli.

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