A Salman Khan starrer doesn’t come cheap. The going price is anything from Rs 150 crores to 200 crores.The Zee network , one hears, were supposed to pay close to Rs 215 crores for the exclusive streaming rights of Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai . But then Salman was committed to releasing the Eid presentation in the movie theatres. So a bifurcated theatre-OTT release was decided upon.

However in spite of a scheduled release in movie theatres in the countries and Indian states were there is no or partial lockdown , there is no real likelihood of Radhe making any substantial revenues in its theatrical release.

Trade experts have predicted a massive audience for Radhe when it streams from noon May 13 on the Zee platform. The rush to catch Salman’s Eid release is expected to be massive.

And yet one hears from sources in the know, Salman has offered the Zee network a substantial discount , of 5-6 crores.

An informed source reveals, “This is in keeping with the current Covvid crisis.The country is reeling under a recession and Salman feels everyone needs to be fiscally sensitive.”