Extortion Is Killing The Industry, But Corporate Bookings Are Killing Films –

Corporate Bookings Are Killing Films:

Bollywood is the biggest movie industry in India, and with that size comes many hidden challenges. Recently, actress Yami Gautam Dhar raised her voice against extortion in the industry, a problem that has been around for years. From producers to exhibitors, many people face pressure from influencers and YouTube channels demanding money. Yami called it harmful for the industry—one that damages trust, spoils working conditions, and affects the overall business. Her statement came right before the release of Dhurandhar, and fans quickly assumed who she was referring to. Kudos to her!

Yami Gautam Dhar Talks About Extortion In The Industry Ahead of Dhurandhar Release –

However, extortion isn’t the only problem troubling Bollywood today. Another growing issue is “corporate bookings” or “self bookings.” This practice existed earlier in small amounts, but after the pandemic, it has increased massively. Producers and studios are now reportedly buying their own tickets to show inflated box office numbers. Instead of real audience turnout, the makers try to create an illusion of success.

Why does this happen? The answer lies in public perception. If a big-budget film shows low advance booking numbers, the buzz drops instantly. A poor opening day figure can lead to negative headlines and online trolling. So, producers panic and start booking tickets in bulk themselves—just to ensure that the reported collection looks respectable.

For example, if a film is made with a budget of ₹200 crore and the opening day response seems weak, producers may pump in ₹10 crore worth of fake bookings to show a better number. But in reality, that ₹10 crore is not earnings; it is an additional cost. So now the budget becomes ₹210 crore, and the loss increases instead of shrinking. There are no real viewers filling theatres, so there is no positive word-of-mouth either. Ultimately, the movie fails to recover its investment.

The old trade site like BoxOfficeIndia has opened pointed out such practices many times. It has named several films that used self bookings to appear successful. Yet, very few insiders dare to speak about it openly. No major celebrity wants negativity around their movie or their reputation on social media.

Corporate bookings damage credibility. They prevent the industry from acknowledging genuine success and learning from real failures. Just like extortion, these tactics harm the future of Bollywood business. Fans and industry members must openly question such practices so that the audience’s trust can return and the box office reflects actual performance—not a fake number game. What do you think about this new game? Let us know in comments.

Dhurandhar Review: A High-Octane Spy Drama Fueled by Emotion & National Pride

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