Weddings are always a grand affair in Bollywood, with fans eagerly awaiting glimpses of their favorite stars tying the knot. In recent times, however, there has been a significant shift in how these extravagant events are documented and shared with the public. Bollywood celebs have recognized the growing power of digital platforms and have started selling their wedding film rights and pictures to Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms and other online channels.
This article delves into the fascinating trend of Bollywood celebs selling their wedding film rights and pictures, exploring the reasons behind this shift and its impact on the industry.
Why Sell Wedding Film Rights?
The traditional practice of selling wedding pictures to magazines for exclusive coverage has taken a backseat as Bollywood celebrities now embrace digital media. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this captivating shift.
1. Expanding Reach and Global Audience
By selling their wedding film rights and pictures to OTT platforms and other digital channels, Bollywood celebs can tap into a wider audience base, reaching fans across the globe. Unlike print magazines, which have limited circulation, online platforms provide an opportunity for worldwide exposure.
2. Monetizing the Wedding Extravaganza
Bollywood weddings are known for their opulence and grandeur, attracting significant media attention. Recognizing the commercial potential of these events, celebrities have started capitalizing on their weddings by selling film rights and pictures. This move allows them to monetize their special day while maintaining control over the narrative and visuals that are shared with the public.
3. Keeping Up with the Digital Age
The rise of social media and digital platforms has transformed the way people consume content. Bollywood celebs have realized the need to adapt and stay relevant in the digital age. By embracing OTT platforms and other online channels, they can cater to the preferences of their tech-savvy fans who are constantly connected and seeking instant updates. Selling wedding film rights and pictures is a strategic move to engage with their audience in a medium they are most comfortable with.
4. Curbing Unauthorized Leaks
With the proliferation of smartphones and the ease of capturing and sharing content, unauthorized leaks of wedding pictures have become a concern for celebrities. Selling the rights to a trusted OTT platform or online channel helps ensure that the visuals are released in a controlled manner, preventing unauthorized circulation and maintaining the exclusivity of the content. This approach allows celebrities to have better control over their privacy and image.
How the Trend of Selling Wedding Rights Started?
The trend of selling wedding rights started in the early 2000s. It was popularized by a few high-profile couples who sold the rights to their weddings to media outlets. These couples included Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, and Beyoncé and Jay-Z. The media coverage of these weddings was unprecedented, and it sparked a new trend of couples selling the rights to their weddings to make money.
It can be a way to control the narrative of their wedding. When couples sell the rights to their weddings to a media outlet, they have more control over how their wedding is portrayed. This can be important to couples who want to make sure that their wedding is represented in a positive light.
Also, it can be a way to make a lot of money. Couples can sell the rights to their weddings to media outlets, magazines, or even reality TV shows. The amount of money that couples can make from selling the rights to their weddings can be significant. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to sell the telecast rights of a wedding is a personal one. Here are some of the pros and cons of selling the telecast rights of a wedding:
Pros:
- Can be a lucrative way to make money
- Can help to ensure that the wedding is seen by a large audience
- Can be a way to share a special day with fans
Cons:
- Can take away some of the privacy of the event
- Can make the wedding a public spectacle
- Can be seen as commercializing a special day
Also Read | 101 Best Heart-Warming Birthday Wishes For Your Girlfriend
List of Bollywood Stars who sold their Wedding telecast rights
- Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan (Netflix)
- Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani (Disney+ Hotstar)
- Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif (Amazon Prime Video)
- Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor (Amazon Prime Video)
- Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh (Unknown)
- Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas (Vogue)
1. Trend Setter of Bollywood: Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas
Nick Jonas shared this picture. (courtesy: nickjonas)
The trend of selling wedding rights, in Bollywood, started with Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas in 2018. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas reportedly sold the rights to their wedding pictures to People and Hello! magazines for $2.5 million. The couple got married in a two-day ceremony in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on December 1 and 2, 2018.
The wedding was a star-studded affair, with guests including Meghan Markle, Serena Williams, and Nick’s brothers, Joe and Kevin Jonas. The couple exchanged vows in a Christian ceremony on the first day, and in a Hindu ceremony on the second day.
The sale of the wedding pictures was a major coup for the magazines, as it gave them exclusive access to one of the most anticipated weddings of the year. The pictures were published in the magazines’ December issues, and they generated a lot of interest from fans around the world.
The sale of the wedding pictures also made Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas the latest in a long line of celebrities who have sold the rights to their weddings. In recent years, other celebrities who have done the same include Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, and Brad Pitt.
The sale of wedding pictures is a lucrative business for celebrities, as it allows them to make a significant amount of money from their special day. It also allows them to share their wedding with their fans around the world, and to build excitement for their upcoming projects.
2. Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan
Nayanthara with Vignesh Shivan. (courtesy: wikkiofficial)
Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, two of the biggest stars in the Tamil film industry, got married on June 9, 2022. The wedding was a private affair, with only close friends and family in attendance. However, it was later revealed that the couple had sold the telecast rights of their wedding to Netflix.
The wedding was reportedly shot in a documentary style by filmmaker Gautham Menon. It is said that the wedding video will be released on Netflix in the coming months. The streaming rights of the wedding were reportedly sold for a whopping amount of Rs. 25 crores.
3. Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani
Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, two of the biggest stars in the Hindi film industry, got married on February 7, 2023. The wedding was a private affair, with only close friends and family in attendance. However, it was later revealed that the couple had sold the telecast rights of their wedding to Disney+ Hotstar.
The wedding was reportedly shot in a documentary style by filmmaker Shashank Khaitan. It is said that the wedding video will be released on Disney+ Hotstar in the coming months. The streaming rights of the wedding were reportedly sold for a whopping amount of Rs. 80 crores.
Here are some additional details about the wedding:
- The wedding took place at a private resort in Rajasthan.
- The couple exchanged vows in a traditional Hindu ceremony.
- The wedding was attended by close friends and family, including actors Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Karan Johar.
- The wedding was a lavish affair, with guests reportedly being treated to a five-course meal and a live performance by singer Arijit Singh.
4. Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif
Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif reportedly sold the telecast rights of their wedding to Amazon Prime Video for Rs 80 crore. The couple got married on December 9, 2021, at Six Senses Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. The wedding was a private affair with only close friends and family in attendance.
The sale of the wedding rights is likely to be a lucrative deal for both Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif. It will allow them to share their special day with their fans around the world, while also earning a significant amount of money. Here are some of the details of the deal:
- The deal is reportedly worth Rs 80 crore.
- The wedding footage will be released on Amazon Prime Video in the coming months.
- The couple has asked their guests to sign NDAs so that nothing from the wedding is leaked before it is streamed on OTT.
5. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir Alia wedding photo. (courtesy: aliaabhatt)
Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor reportedly sold the telecast rights of their wedding to an OTT giant for Rs 90-110 crores. The couple got married on April 14, 2022, at Ranbir’s Vastu residence in Mumbai. The wedding was a private affair with only close friends and family in attendance.
The wedding footage is expected to be released on the OTT platform in the coming months.Here are some of the details of the deal:
- The deal is reportedly worth Rs 90-110 crores.
- The wedding footage will be released on the OTT platform in the coming months.
- The couple has asked their guests to sign NDAs so that nothing from the wedding is leaked before it is streamed on OTT.
6. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh
Deepika Padukone shared this image. (courtesy: deepikapadukone)
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh reportedly sold the rights to their wedding film to a company for a huge amount. The couple got married in 2018 at Villa del Balbianello in Lake Como, Italy.
The wedding was a private affair with only close friends and family in attendance. However, the couple decided to sell the rights to their wedding film in order to share their special day with their fans around the world.
The wedding film is reportedly worth Rs 80 crore. The company that Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh sold the rights to their wedding film to is not yet known. However, it is rumored that they have sold it to a streaming platform.
The couple has not yet made an official announcement about the sale of their wedding film. However, it is expected that they will do so in the coming days.
Conclusion
The trend of Bollywood celebs selling their wedding film rights and pictures to OTT platforms and other platforms is a fascinating development in the entertainment industry. It showcases the adaptability and business acumen of celebrities in embracing digital media to maximize their reach, engagement, and financial gains.
This shift allows them to cater to the preferences of their global fan base while maintaining control over the narrative and visuals surrounding their weddings. As technology continues to advance and digital platforms evolve, we can expect this trend to further shape the way weddings are documented and shared with the world.
FAQs
Can this trend be attributed to the rise of social media?
Social media has played a significant role in shaping the trend of Bollywood celebs selling their wedding film rights and pictures to digital platforms. The advent of social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook has revolutionized how celebrities connect with their fans. These platforms have become instrumental in building personal brands and maintaining a loyal fan base.
Do Bollywood celebs earn money by selling their wedding film rights and pictures?
Yes, Bollywood celebs earn money by selling their wedding film rights and pictures. These agreements are where the OTT platforms or other channels acquire the rights to the wedding content in exchange for a substantial sum. This allows celebrities to monetize their weddings and generate additional income.
Which OTT platforms are popular for showcasing Bollywood celebs’ wedding content?
Several OTT platforms have become popular for showcasing Bollywood celebs’ wedding content. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotstar have secured deals to stream exclusive wedding documentaries and behind-the-scenes footage.
Why are Bollywood celebs selling their wedding film rights and pictures to OTT platforms and other platforms?
Bollywood celebs are selling their wedding film rights and pictures to OTT platforms and other platforms for several reasons. Firstly, it allows them to reach a wider global audience. Additionally, it helps them monetize their weddings and keep up with the digital age by engaging with fans on the platforms they prefer. Lastly, it helps prevent unauthorized leaks and maintain control over their privacy.
