The escalation has been sharp. What stood at Rs 21.32 crore in FY 2020–21 more than tripled by FY 2024–25, reaching Rs 60.83 crore. Notably, Yash Raj Films alone accounted for nearly two-thirds of that year’s total spend. So what exactly are these legal professional charges for? Unlike production costs or star fees—which can be controlled to an extent through planning and negotiation—legal expenses have become unavoidable in today’s entertainment ecosystem. These charges broadly cover three areas: permissions, protection, and payments. Permission The legal process begins well before a film goes on floors. Every project requires airtight rights clearance—whether it involves an original script, a book adaptation, life rights, remake rights, or any underlying intellectual property. This stage is critical. Any oversight can lead to claims that surface later, sometimes threatening to stall or even block a film’s release—a risk that has repeatedly made headlines, particularly in the case of biopics. ALSO READ | She came to make films, now leads one of India’s biggest production houses; is reason behind Mirzapur, Pataal Lok, and Panchayat …