Subhash K Jha (DNA; February 9, 2016)


RH is a remake of Korean thriller, The Man From Nowhere. Director Nishikant Kamat feels that the stunts in RH are unique. “They are stylised and yet, raw and real. If you want a reference point, think The Transporter.”

Previously, Hollywood films would move release dates to avoid clashes with big Bollywood films. Spectre’s India release date hit screens a week after Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. Ditto with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which opened a week after Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani. This time around though, Hollywood isn’t afraid to lock horns on Bollywood’s home turf, it seems.

Consider this: last year, for the first time ever, India saw three Hollywood films — Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Jurassic World and Furious 7 — crossed the Rs 100 crore milestone (Furious 7 generated Rs 172 crore in India); that too, in a year which had big releases like Dilwale, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Baahubali and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.

Also, in India, Hollywood franchises have always been big earners at the box-office. And given that Superman and Batman are everyone’s favourite superheroes, regardless of country, it’s an uphill task for RH, one feels.

WHEN HOLLYWOOD BEAT BOLLYWOOD
When Dibakar Bannerjee’s Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! released alongside Furious 7 on April 3, 2015. Byomkesh was critically acclaimed but failed at the BO, while F7 broke Indian records (most notably, crossed the $1 billion mark)

When Mohit Suri’s Hamari Adhuri Kahani released alongside Jurassic World on June 12, 2015. HAK was a disappointment despite the hype, while franchise favourite JW laughed its way to the bank.

When Muzaffar Ali’s Jaanisaar relased alongside Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation on August 7, 2015
Jaani-what? MI:RN ate up the competition with consummate ease