It entered profit zone within three days: Kunchacko Boban on ‘Officer on Duty’ Success

Kunchacko Boban recently responded to the figures and stories circulating about the box office performance of ‘Officer on Duty.’ He also shares his thoughts on transformations in both life and cinema. The film follows CI Harishankar, portrayed by Kunchacko Boban, who is far from the typical noble and courteous police officers seen in recent films. His character is blunt, relentless, and unapologetic. What begins as a seemingly straightforward counterfeit gold case soon unravels into a chilling POCSO investigation, revealing deep layers of deceit and hidden truths.

Is ‘Officer on Duty’ a failure? The figures released by the producers’ association suggest so. Have you seen them?
The film’s producer should be the one discussing investment and success, not me or any association representatives. But I can share what I know.
The production cost of the film is not Rs 13 crore, it’s significantly higher. The producers did not recover just TRs 11 crore; they have earned at least double or more. The Rs 11 crore mentioned by the association representatives likely refers to the share the producer received from Kerala theatres alone. Even then, the actual figure is higher than ₹11 crore. Their figures are neither accurate nor transparent. If numbers are being presented, they should be precise.

There is a claim that the film has entered the Rs 50 crore club. Is that true?
The concept of a 'crore club' is based on a film’s total revenue, which includes the theatre share, taxes paid to the government, and other earnings. In Kerala alone, our film has collected around Rs 30 crore so far. It also has performed well outside Kerala as well. Considering those earnings, the film has undoubtedly surpassed Rs 50 crore.

Besides, what about revenue from OTT, satellite, audio rights, and dubbing rights? Why aren’t these figures being considered? Are the association representatives unaware of all the different revenue streams for a producer?

How much revenue has ‘Officer on Duty’ earned through these other sales?
One thing I can say for sure: during the film’s production itself, nearly three-fourths of the investment was recovered. By the third day after release, the film had entered the profit zone.

Producers claim that OTT and satellite business is currently stagnant. Is that true?
Who is responsible for that? That’s a question producers should ask themselves. The value of these deals depends on three key factors:
1) The presence of star actors
2) The track record of the director, writer, and technical crew
3) The production quality of the film

Who deceived digital partners by bringing in actors for guest appearances and falsely marketing them as leads to secure higher deals? Who made films claiming a Rs 10 crore budget but delivered a product not even worth Rs 3 crore? They lost credibility through such actions, which is why even high-quality films are now struggling to secure deals with digital platforms.

Despite this, isn't it fair to ask actors to reduce their remuneration?
If those complaining producers are facing losses, I am willing to act in their films for free. Let them take the full revenue from Kerala theatres. I only ask that they give me the earnings from outside Kerala and digital platforms like OTT and satellite. But they never factor in these revenues when discussing losses, do they?

Your image on screen changed with ‘Officer on Duty.’ Is your real-life image also changing?
These are two different things. As an actor, I always want to take on diverse roles, which is why I played Harishankar, an intense and troubled police officer. But that has nothing to do with speaking the truth.
I have always been this way, someone who expresses my views honestly. The only difference is, I do it in a dignified manner, without the intent to hurt or belittle anyone.

Do you consider the risk factor while taking up such roles?
Of course. The protagonist in ‘Officer on Duty’ is a heavy character. Everyone wondered if I could pull it off. The first risk was the filmmakers choosing me for the role. My decision to take it on came next.
Just understanding the story and the character doesn’t guarantee a good performance. Once you step onto the set, put on the makeup, and interact with fellow actors, an atmosphere is created. When that falls into place, the performance becomes effective. Thankfully, from the first scene itself, director Jithu Ashraf was satisfied. Producers, led by Martin Prakkat, were fully supportive.
The entire cast, from veteran actors like Jagadish and Priyamani to the newcomers, delivered strong performances.

It is said that your wife plays a crucial role in your bold career decisions. Is that true?
The final decision about the roles I take is mine. For instance, Priya didn’t believe I could pull off ‘Anjaam Pathiraa,’ but I did. There were other films where I made drastic transformations that even she didn’t expect. However, the courage and confidence to take up such roles—Priya is the reason behind that.
She has a far better understanding of people, interactions, and handling situations than I do. Her approach gives me the confidence to take a leap into unknown waters. Even if I sink, I believe she will jump in and pull me back to safety.