Showing posts with label Article 370. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Article 370. Show all posts
Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, Mammootty, Dhanush headline the winners at the 72nd National Film Awards
8:36 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 19, 2026)
Firsts are always special, but they mean even more when they come as National Awards. Yami Gautam and Kartik Aaryan bagged their first National Awards in the Best Actress and Best Actor categories for Article 370 and Chandu Champion, respectively, at the 72nd National Film Awards, announced on Sunday. Aaryan shared the honour with Malayalam superstar Mammootty for Bramayugam.
Article 370 emerged as one of the biggest winners, also taking home Best Feature Film and Best Music (Songs) for composer Shashwat Sachdev.
Sachdev said, “I came into cinema with no inheritance, only a deep love for music, so this National Award feels like a beautiful pause to look back at every uncertain day, quiet sacrifice, and every person who stood by me.” Tamil film Amaran won three awards — Best Director, Best Music Direction, and Best Editing.
Rajkummar Rao-starrer Srikanth won Best Hindi Film. Director Tushar Hiranandani told mid-day, “Actually, for Srikanth, the only award that I won before was in Moscow. I was not even nominated in any other category, in any other awards. At last, I feel happy. I dedicate this to my mom and father-in-law, who passed away before the release.”
For Randeep Hooda the win for Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar came as a surprise. Reacting to the big honour, he said, “This film asked more of me than anything I’ve ever done. The journey was filled with challenges at every juncture, but I’m glad we saw it through and overcame each of those.”
List of winners
Best Feature Film: ‘Article 370’
Best Actor: Kartik Aaryan (‘Chandu Champion’) and Mammootty (‘Bramayugam’)
Best Actress: Yami Gautam (‘Article 370’)
Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy (‘Amaran’)
Best Supporting Actor: Sanjay Mishra (‘Bhakshak’)
Best Supporting Actress: Ropashree Varkady (‘Mithya’) and Sachana Namidass (‘Maharaja’)
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
Best Debut Director: Randeep Hooda (‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’)
Best Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values: ‘Captain Miller’
Best Hindi Film: ‘Srikanth’
The way award functions have been functioning, it’s like they are saying ‘Don’t take us seriously’-Yami Gautam
10:16 AM
Neha Sharma (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 13, 2025)
Ever since her latest film Haq hit theatres, actor Yami Gautam Dhar has been experiencing an emotional outpouring from her fans like never before.
Many women have come up to her, sharing how relatable her character felt, some even kissed her hand, teary-eyed, telling her how empowered they felt after watching her in the film based on the famous Shah Bano case in which a muslim woman fought a legal battle for maintenance from her husband.
For Yami, who has delivered power packed performances in recent years, this recognition feels long due.
“I think everyone has their own interpretation of validation. For me, true validation is when your audience accepts you. When they watch a film and write something, be it a comment or when they tell an artiste something, that purity reflects in their eyes and words. You can feel how much they mean the compliment. It’s very heartening and overwhelming for me as an artiste,” she says.
It’s double celebration in the family these days. Success of her film apart, her husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar is winning praise for his latest production, Baramulla. “We are very happy,” she smiles. “Aditya’s had his own journey, which has been full of challenges, but staying true to yourself, ethical and honest, that’s a rarity, and I really respect him for that. Of course, I love him; he’s my husband. But with love, that respect is equally important. As a wife, as an artiste, as someone who’s part of the same industry, I respect him. He’s taken the harder way, done what he believes is right, and what gives him peaceful sleep.”
So, has she felt inspired to step behind the camera herself? “No, no, no!” she laughs. “I still feel there’s so much more to explore in acting. I need to figure out what’s next, what more I can do, how differently I can be part of something so that I don’t have to say what kind of films I like. My filmography should speak for me, that I like versatility.”
And her career trajectory spells versatility all the way. Ever since her debut with Vicky Donor in 2012, Yami has built a solid filmography, choosing scripts that stand out. Her process, she says, is entirely instinctive. “Right from Haq, Article 370 ( 2024), OMG 2 (2023) to A Thursday (2022), Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (2023) or Bala (2019), if I felt the script was good and the choice was right, yes, I chose them. But because someone wrote it, I cannot take that credit. It has to go to the writers, and that’s what we, as an industry, need to value even more now. When I’m done reading a script, my decision is absolutely based on instinct. I don’t overthink. I read it both as an artiste and as an audience.”
As appreciation continues to pour in, Yami has already signed four new films. “It’s the producer’s prerogative to announce,” she smiles when we prod for details. But she’s more than willing to talk about being the audience’s darling and how staying away from trends and formulas has worked for her.
Your fans are betting on a National award for Haq. Are you expecting one, and how much do awards mean to you?
I’m only imagining the headlines out of this because I have no idea how to answer this question. I’m really trying to be so careful and measured. I don’t want to sound like anything that I’m not.
But I’m sure you’ve read the social media posts...
I have, and it’s my audience saying it. So, I think that in itself is a really big thing for me. I’m here because of them and, of course, the belief of certain directors in me when probably not many believed. I don’t go to any award functions, with all due respect to them.
Yes, you are not seen at parties and award functions as such, but it’s said that the film industry is all about networking at such events...
That must be true. There is no denial about it. But if I don’t connect with that, then how do I work? How do I tell someone that I want this opportunity? I’ll work really hard, identify the right scripts and wait for that opportunity from certain directors to take that chance with me, which is what happened in 2019 with Uri, with Aditya (Dhar, filmmaker and her husband). But socially or in terms of going against my personality, something that doesn’t make me happy, or I feel I’m being asked to do something or fit in a system, if that is the system, that’s not me. That was never me. The only way out was work, slowly and steadily. Then yes, awards. There’s a certain section that may believe (in them), so whatever works for you. But the way award functions have been functioning of late, it’s like they themselves are saying ‘Don’t take us seriously’. And I’m not saying it. The audience is saying it now. That means tomorrow, if someone’s there in my position, they will know that both can coexist.
Your son Vedavid is just 1.5 years old. But do you think about which films of yours you’d like to show him later?
I think we’ll come to that when he reaches that age. He’s too young right now, as you said, and I really haven’t thought about it. But my mother said something very sweet to me when I was expecting him, I was shooting for Article 370 (2024) and of course, the mind of a first-time mother or just any mother... It’s your first baby, you’re working in a film like this, and the gazillion questions! The one thing she said was, ‘If you’re fit to work, don’t worry. Your son inherently will value the importance of being a hard worker, like his mum. So you’ll be very proud. You go for it, you give your best. We’re here to take care of you.’ So I used to literally feel the two of us working in every scene. I think that is going to be really special because I’d be like, ‘You are part of that film, you know?’
I want the audience to watch Baramulla and Google later and say, ‘Oh, this is real’-Aditya Suhas Jambhale
10:37 AM
‘Baramulla’ director Aditya Jambhale discusses viewing Kashmir through the lens of its tales and driving a point home with the horror film
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 5, 2025)
As someone who graduated in electronics and telecom engineering, Aditya Suhas Jambhale is a science buff. Yet, the engineer-turned-director loves worlds where one can imagine beyond what is “scientifically justified”. It is from this instinct that his second Hindi feature, Baramulla, is born.
“I didn’t want jump-scare horror in Kashmir. The challenge was whether we can make something rooted in whispers that locals grow up with,” starts the director about the upcoming Manav Kaul-starrer.
Producer Aditya Dhar first floated the idea of a horror film set in Kashmir, even sharing a three-page draft. Jambhale took it and disappeared to Goa for months.
“I told Aditya, ‘If I’m doing this, I have to change everything’,” recalls Jambhale. He finally returned with a 120-plus-page new script that was approved almost instantly by Dhar.
The upcoming Netflix film weaves the lore of the Valley as it tells the story of Kaul’s police officer investigating the mysterious disappearance of children in Kashmir. Jambhale’s research began in Goa, where several Kashmiris now live, before he travelled to Kashmir and heard their tales — about not stepping out after sundown in certain parts of Baramulla, and winter evenings that turn the Valley a smoky grey. He won’t reveal specifics because a lot of it is crucial to the movie’s suspense.
“I want the audience to Google later and say, ‘Oh, this is real’. I want to resist spoon-feeding. If you explain every myth, it kills the magic.”
But he’ll underline one thing — that the supernatural is often influenced by geography. “Every place has its horror. Kashmir’s lore can’t be separated from its sociopolitics,” he observes.
The director shot the Kaul and Bhasha Sumbli-starrer in Srinagar, Baramulla, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam over 23 days, in minus eight degrees. Plus, the shadow of politics lingered. “Locals worry about portrayal. But as a filmmaker, my job is to be truthful to the story,” he says, adding that Baramulla — like his previous offering Article 370 (2024) — makes a point.
“Expect neutrality from the media, not from artistes. If I empathize with a character’s pain and am biased toward them, that’s storytelling. You may disagree with my ideology and that’s democracy. Baramulla carries a point too and I’m proud of that.”
Can cinema help us understand Kashmiri culture beyond strife? “The idea is to show Kashmir in a different light. A film like this shows how empathy should work.”
Top 25 films of 2024; only 5 hits in the year and 6 films crossed the 100 cr mark
8:38 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The box office results in 2024 were pretty much a disaster as the the top 25 films accumulated around 2250 crore nett when the same was done in 2019 by just 12 films. Also, in 2019, there was no mega grosser like STREE 2 which is contributing 25% of the collections of the top twenty five films.
It is a dire strait of affairs and at the moment, there does not seem a way out with satellite and digital markets crashing. On top of it, the films are generally not getting the desired box office results which is resulting in the production sector practically at a stand still. Only the box office can turnaround the satellite and digital markets on which the industry is so dependent. Even when a film does well, it does not help the scenario much as generally films are doing far below what is expected of them.
There were four films to get to the 200 crore nett mark but for the likes of SINGHAM AGAIN and FIGHTER, these are mediocre totals as these two were the biggest original Hindi films of the year. SINGHAM AGAIN got there mainly due to Diwali in Mumbai circuit and FIGHTER got some decent numbers in South but faced mass rejection in Hindi circuits. Today, 200 crore is just around 1.25 crore footfalls which is not much of an ask from the bigger films.
The stand outs were STREE 2 and MUNJYA with support from BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3, SHAITAAN and ARTICLE 370. Hence, there were just five HITS in the whole year from the Hindi film industry and this does not look like getting better anytime soon.
The top twenty five films of 2024 are as follows.
1. Stree 2 - 5,79,61,00,000
2. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 - 2,50,71,00,000
3. Singham Again - 2,38,46,00,000
4. Fighter - 2,00,01,00,000
5. Shaitaan - 1,48,54,00,000
6. Munjya - 1,00,07,50,000
7. Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya - 82,59,00,000
8. Crew - 81,57,00,000
9. Article 370 - 77,08,00,000
10. Bad Newz - 63,54,50,000
11. Chandu Champion - 60,78,00,000
12. Bade Miyan Chotte Miyan - 58,74,50,000
13. Maidaan - 51,16,00,000
14. Srikanth - 46,03,50,000
15. Khel Khel Mein - 40,80,00,000
16. Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video - 39,49,75,000
17. Madgaon Express - 35,72,50,000
18. Baby John - 34,86,50,000
19. Mr & Mrs Mahi - 34,52,00,000
20. Yodha - 32,20,00,000
21. The Sabarmati Report - 32,14,00,000
22. Jigra - 31,12,00,000
23. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar - 24,49,00,000
24. Kill - 23,68,50,000
25. Sarfira - 23,55,50,000
Half Yearly Classification 2024: Kalki 2898 AD and Munjya are the biggest hits of the year
8:25 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The box office has been a struggle in 2024 and there has been no big BLOCKBUSTER in the first half of the year. The last month in the first half proved to be good with the two biggest HITS of the year (MUNJYA and KALKI 2898 AD) coming in this month.
KALKI 2898 AD is the biggest HIT of the first half and it could have been even bigger if the mass circuits continued how they started as then the film could have been looking at the 300 crore nett mark or thereabouts. But post the weeeknd collections started to drop in B and C centres and single screens. However, the bigger centres have sustained extremely well.
MUNJYA is the sleeper HIT of the year driven by BLOCKBUSTER business in Maharashtra. The film will finish up with business of around 100 crore nett which would be unthinkable before release although the trailer was decent due to the creature. The film is the biggest original Hindi film of the year so far.
SRIKANTH was also another surprise winner in the second quarter which took full benefit of the open run in May and had a solid sustained run for weeks. SHAITAAN and ARTICLE 370 were the HIT films of the first quarter while TERI BAATON MEIN AISA ULJHA JIYA and CREW also did well.
The second half is likely to see a BLOCKBUSTER with PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE but it is a film from the South and the Hindi film industry will also need to deliver one or two big HITS just to build confidence. If that doesn't happen, it will be pretty much a disaster year.
The half yearly classification for 2024 is as follows.
All Time Blockbuster
-
Super Blockbuster
-
Blockbuster
-
Super Hit
1. KALKI 2898 AD
2. MUNJYA
Hit
3. SHAITAAN
4. ARTICLE 370
Semi Hit
5. TERI BAATON MEIN AISA ULJA JIYA
6. CREW
7. SRIKANTH
Average
8. FIGHTER
9. MADGAON EXPRESS
Below Average
10. SWATANTRYA VEER SAVARKAR
11. LAAPATAA LADIES
Producer bodies to meet celebrity talent management agencies to find ways to reduce movie budgets
8:09 AM
Eyeing to reduce film budgets, producer bodies to meet talent management agencies next week to discuss cutting down on entourage costs; want to encourage mid-budget movies for higher returns
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 8, 2024)
Almost halfway into the year, Bollywood’s report card doesn’t look encouraging. So far, Hindi cinema has seen a handful of hits, including Shaitaan, Crew, Article 370 and Madgaon Express, while many tentpole movies had an underwhelming run. The lull has compelled producers to take stock of the situation. Next week, members of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), Producers Guild of India, Active Telugu Film Producers Guild, and Tamil Film Active Producers Association are set to meet six leading celebrity talent management agencies, for a third round of meeting. The agenda is clear—find ways to reduce the budget of movies.
While stars’ skyrocketing fees have long been a concern, the impending meeting will focus on cutting down entourage costs. A senior celebrity manager, who attended the last meeting held in May, told mid-day, “Our suggestion is to revert to the post-COVID norm, where an actor has an entourage of three.”
The manager reveals that the suggestion came from one of their clients, a senior star who shot three big films during the pandemic. “The star started out in the ’90s when entourage wasn’t a thing and vanity vans were reserved for megastars like Mr [Amitabh] Bachchan. He said that even today, a team comprising one spot boy, one make-up man and one additional hand is enough for him. For a female actor-host, we’ll consider an entourage of four.”
A senior member of the Producers Guild, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, said that filmmakers have been struggling with budgets in the post-pandemic market. The high entourage costs came to the forefront with a recent episode.
“I agree that entourage cost is a part of the problem and not the whole issue. But recently, a studio’s CFO was shocked to see a Rs 7 lakh monthly bill from a make-up person. The CFO’s salary was lower than that! This can be brought under control,” he said.
Another subject that the producers will touch on at the meeting is to boost small and mid-budget movies. The months gone by have shown that they have generated high returns.
An IMPPA official said, “The box-office run of Crew, Madgaon Express and Article 370 has been good. Producers must seek high-concept films, spend more on writing, and pay reasonable fees to the stars and crew. We will also talk to OTT heads to widen the gap between theatrical and OTT release [in the hope that people will visit theatres]. Otherwise, people may stop visiting cinemas.”
I must have done something right for them to hate me in The Family Man-Priyamani
8:23 AM
As she kicks off The Family Man 3 shoot, Priyamani on how she received hate mail from audiences for her character’s actions in last season
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 9, 2024)
In April, we saw her as the supportive wife in Maidaan, and soon, we’ll see her as a contract killer. That’s quite a turnaround. Tell Priyamani that, and she grins, saying, “As an actor, you need to display versatility.” She is gearing up for the release of Quotation Gang, which offers a gritty take on the lives of contract killers.
The actor plays a ruthless gang leader in producer-director Vivek Kumar Kannan’s crime drama, also starring Jackie Shroff and Sunny Leone. It’s certainly a dark character after her positive parts in Maidaan and Article 370, but Priyamani is not one to segregate her roles.
“For me, it’s just a role and I can switch on and off, unless the director wants me to do homework on it. I am glad that with Quotation Gang, people can see another side of me after the positive characters that I played earlier.”
Black, grey, white—the National Award winner enjoys stepping into disparate roles. What she finds challenging, however, is being part of movies inspired by real-life events.
“Films that are a part of history like Article 370 and Maidaan are more challenging to do. These are incidents that have happened. So, it’s an added responsibility to tell them to the audience sensitively,” she reasons.
Last week, she began shooting The Family Man’s third season. After the second edition streamed, Priyamani —who plays Manoj Bajpayee’s on-screen wife Suchitra—reveals that she received hate mail from fans, who felt her character betrayed her husband.
“I must have done something right for them to hate me,” she smiles, before adding, “Suchitra is doing what she feels is right for her. In the second season, she balanced her family with her career while trying to save her marriage. People will relate to her more in the next edition.”
Mumbai circuit gets back on track; Fighter collects better than Dunki
8:41 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The Mumbai circuit has seen poor returns post the pandemic but has seen a good upturn this year driven by the major centres in Maharashtra. The Thane belt was doing well since cinema returned in 2021 but this year has seen Mumbai city and Pune also start recording some good numbers.
The Mumbai and Delhi/UP circuit had got pretty similar in the 21-23 period for films in a certain zone. It is likely that if CREW and TERI BAATON MEIN AISA ULJHA JIYA came in 2022, they would not have got these numbers in Mumbai circuit and numbers will be closer to the Delhi/UP numbers.
The 60 crore nett plus number of the biggest grosser FIGHTER is not great but despite being an action film, it has beaten DUNKI which has a genre is better for Mumbai circuit and that too directed by Rajkumar Hirani whose films score heavy in Mumbai circuit due to humour element.
Films like MADGAON EXPRESS and SWATANTRYA VEER SAVARKAR are actually HIT films in Mumbai circuit though they met with a horrible fate outside the circuit. ARTICLE 370 was the standout in Mumbai this year though other circuits again were not as good. This would also have been tough a year or two back.
This circuit getting better numbers is the only good news in the crisis facing the film industry and its coming with the Gujarat side not really doing well. No film has done well in Gujarat this year and when both Maharashtra and Gujarat fire, it makes a huge difference.
The top ten films of 2024 in Mumbai circuit are as follows
1. Fighter - 62,04,00,000
2. Shaitaan - 46,64,00,000 (8 weeks)
3. Article 370 - 32,40,00,000 (10 weeks)
4. Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya - 27,28,50,000
5. Crew - 25,15,00,000 (5 Weeks)
6. Madgaon Express - 18,60,00,000 (6 weeks)
7. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan - 17,65,00,000 (3 weeks)
8. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar - 16,80,00,000 (6 weeks)
9. Maidaan - 15,75,00,000 (3 weeks)
10. Laapataa Ladies - 6,15,00,000 (9 weeks)
Aditya Dhar got Amar Chitra Katha and Ramayana; my mom used to read them when she was pregnant-Yami Gautam
8:32 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 17, 2024)
Yami Gautam Dhar is glowing differently these days, all because of the last leg of her pregnancy and the success of her latest outing, Article 370. She and her husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar, are also gearing up to welcome the new addition to their family.
“My family is with me in Mumbai, and my sister (Surilie Gautam) is going to join me soon. My sister told me this (last trimester) was the best phase. I’m sure there will be challenges later, but we will know once we get there. [Right now] we are just very excited,” she says.
We ask if she or Aditya have started feeling jittery about the new journey, she laughs and says, “Anyone who knows Aditya knows he is very calm. He keeps asking me, ‘What do you want to eat today?’, ‘What do you feel like doing’. He got Amar Chitra Katha and Ramayana for me to read, as my mom used to read them when she was pregnant. We also keep discussing everything and exchanging notes.”
Her happy mood is further enhanced by Article 370 completing a 50-day run in theatres. “Considering the economic shift in the industry, we are happy and thankful this happened. When your choices are in sync with the audience, that’s the best award for an actor and producer, or anyone who has given their blood and heart to it,” she ends.
2024's first quarter is decent; Shaitaan is the true bonafide hit in the first three months
8:43 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The industry has seen a pretty decent first quarter as the exhibition sector fared the worst as the biggest film of the quarter FIGHTER did not live upto expectations. But its been a steady run post FIGHTER and some films have managed to make a mark.
There is an issue with very little content. There are just ten films which have gone over 10 crore nett which is hardly a number and they are below. These will be the films with some sort of awareness or face value that were released in the first quarter.
The classifications of those ten main films are as follows.
Merry Christmas (FLOP): A mystery thriller film with vey little for theatres and a film that would only do well in Mumbai city even if liked. These sort of filsms will be available in hundreds for audiences on television at home.
Fighter (AVERAGE): The film is the highest grosser of the year but could not fair well in mass circuits. Its not about the planes or anything but the landscape has changed in these areas and its about raw and rustic films driven by the storylines rather than Hollywood type of action. TIGER 3 also had a similar struggle and Hollywood films are finding it tough going in the Hindi circuits. FIGHTER had stars and music but the appeal remained limited and its a lot to do with how much these mass circuits have changed post pandemic. If we take the fact that it did not release in Gulf then, there was an outperformance overseas. However, the final number does not suggest that as its without Gulf.
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Ulja Jiya (SEMI HIT): The film did very well for its genre driven by the music. The music was not blockbuster but the fact that it had music and it was good enough which is more than what most films have. The was pushed by the buy one get one offer but it does look that offers will not help if the audience is not with the. So, the benefit of the offer is probably very limited.
Article 370 (HIT): The first HIT of the year which proved a SUPER HIT in Mumbai circuit. The film did extremely well for its budget but it was a costly acquisition and with streaming likely to be in house it was about India theatrical for recovery. Nevertheless, the film actually pulled it of very well.
Crakk (DISASTER): The heavily budget action film for the face value but this sort of action content is just not relatable to the mass centres where it has to score.
Laapataa Ladies (FLOP): A ladies film looking by its name and which has trended well in its run holding well every week but it just could not find much of an audience. The trending of the film can be called respectable. However, that hardly matters when there are no overall numbers.
Shaitaan (HIT): The true bonafide HIT of the first quarter which did well all over. The film was a psychological/horror film but the family sentiments worked strongly for the film. The box office today is about reaching the mass and it's basically going back to the 80's. What happened here was when the big budgets were not there, the films catering to family sentiments emerged winners at the box office. Today, any genre will work as long as it has these family sentiments as this is where the reach will come from. SHAITAAN was devoid of music which is the other way to push the reach but still did the trick.
Yodha (FLOP): A urban action film on a hijacking and when a FIGHTER struggled for reach with the mass audiences, it was always going to be tough for this film. Action films made in Hindi for urban audiences have never done well although there maybe some exceptions but those will be very few if any.
Madgaon Express (FLOP): A Goa holiday/trip film which pretty much seals the fate in most of the country with the trailer itself. For some reason, the industry actually had hope for the film. The film did better in Mumbai circuit but even there, the numbers were still poor. Rest of the circuits were very dull.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (FLOP): A film on a Maharashtrian political figure which had no scope outside Maharashtra. The plus is that it will do around 15 crore nett in the state of Maharashtra which means some sort of acceptance here. But its a Hindi film and rest of India is extremely dull with practically no collections.
Crew (SEMI HIT/AVERAGE): The last release of the quarter which has done pretty well. The film has scored very well in North (NCR and East Punjab) and along with SHAITAAN is the only other film to do so. The film will have shortened run due to Eid which will hold back the numbers. It has had decent run nevertheless and is an out performer in Overseas.
Outside the organic Hindi movies, the dubbed SOUTH film HANUMAN proved to be a HIT while GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE was also a HIT. The latter was just AVERAGE in Hindi circuits but the business in the South took it to HIT status.
Experts feel 2024's first quarter was average
8:27 AM
As we wrap up the first quarter of 2024, here is a look at Bollywood’s report card as shared by industry experts
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 2, 2024)
Four months into 2024, the Hindi film industry has been on a bumpy ride. Fighter, starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, was expected to ring in the year with eye-popping box-office numbers, but slowly inched towards the Rs. 200 crore mark. On the other hand, films like Crakk, Yodha, All India Rank and Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay left us wanting. In comparison, 2023 was a blockbuster one with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan setting the tone for the rest of the year.
The year “hasn’t begun well” agrees trade analyst Taran Adarsh, adding, “We didn’t have a Pathaan kind of film, a Rs. 500 crore grosser, or even a film that touched Rs. 50 crore on day one. Fighter was a well-made film, but it didn’t live up to the expectations.”
DEARTH OF GOOD FILMS?
Films that took the industry by surprise with their performances were genre benders like actors Ajay Devgn’s Shaitaan, Yami Gautam Dhar’s Article 370 and Shahid Kapoor’s Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. Their box-office collections show that they did exceedingly well.
Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinepolis India, remarks, “2024’s first quarter has been average, with no major hits; films like Shaitaan worked. I feel 2023’s first quarter was much better and a hit like Pathaan is still awaited. There are good titles coming up in 2024, which are a mix of Bollywood biggies and those from the south.”
Aditya Datt, director of the actioner Crakk, is proud of his film. But with “disappointing” footfalls in cinema halls, he is ready to move on. “Response to the film’s new age idea and action was amazing,” he says, as he’s feeling “optimistic” for its OTT debut. “The magic we crafted will more eyes watching and appreciating it.”
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Another film which was praised by critics, had a big star cast, but still underperformed at the box office was Merry Christmas, featuring actors Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi. Producer Ramesh Taurani who bankrolled the film, elaborates, “We were expecting more in collections. Nevertheless, it’s okay, things happen. We did get a lot of praise and critical acclaim.”
HIGHEST GROSSERS of ’24 till NOW (All India collections according to trade estimates)
Fighter- Rs. 199 crore
Shaitaan- Rs. 137 crore
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya- Rs. 81 crore
Article 370- Rs. 72 crore
Crew- Rs. 41 crore (still running in theatres)
Aditya Dhar said, ‘I want actors like you and Yami Gautam to do Article 370, not stars’-Priyamani
8:49 AM
Following up Article 370 with Maidaan, Priyamani discusses playing pillar of strength to Ajay’s character of Syed Abdul Rahim
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; March 12, 2024)
Even though Priyamani dabbled in Hindi cinema in the initial years of her career, it is only in recent times that the Tamil actor has become a frequent face—be it in The Family Man, Jawan (2023) or Article 370. Now, the actor is ready with her next, Maidaan. She plays Ajay Devgn’s wife Saira in the biopic of Syed Abdul Rahim, who was the Indian football coach and manager from 1950 to 1963.
Director Amit Ravindernath Sharma’s sports drama may have Devgn and football at its front and centre, but Priyamani says the tender relationship between the protagonist and his wife resonated with her.
“Saira is his emotional support and pillar of strength. She holds the fort when Rahim saab is not at home, or busy with his meetings and matches. There is a cute relationship between them,” she says, looking forward to the Eid release.
Until then, she is happy with the way Article 370, led by Yami Gautam Dhar, is faring in theatres. She is thankful to producer Aditya Dhar and director Aditya Suhas Jambhale for not only offering her the political thriller, but also building her character, Rajeshwari Swaminathan, a senior officer in the Prime Minister’s Office, down to the last detail.
“While offering the film, Aditya’s words were, ‘I want actors like you and Yami to do this film, not stars.’ When I heard the gist, I wanted to be a part of it; I loved the story. My role didn’t need so much importance, but they invested a lot of time in it. What also resonated with me is while the storm is happening on the field, Rajeshwari is calm and strong.”
(Crisp) Movie Review: ARTICLE 370 by FENIL SETA
12:21 PM
Article 370 attempts to tell unknown aspects about one of the most significant historical events in recent times. Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale adopts a no-nonsense approach and it gives the film a nice touch. The makers balance the narrative with not just political drama but also action and thrill. It's 160 minutes long and there's a lot happening every minute. Hence, the film never seems stretched or lengthy. The second half has much more entertainment value, especially the climax. On the flipside, the film gets a bit technical and it's not easy to decipher all aspects depicted in the film. Secondly and most importantly, the film seems too pro-government. The government is never shown at fault or make any mistake. Lastly, though the makers stress that it's inspired by real events, one wonders if some of the episodes shown in the film actually happened in real life. Speaking of performances, Yami Gautam Dhar hits the ball out of the park. She rocks in the action scenes but watch out for her in the emotional sequences, especially during the monologue. Definitely, her best performance ever! Priya Mani, on the other hand, keeps her act restrained and it works well, as per the character requirement. Vaibhav Tatwawadi (Yash Chauhan) is quite likeable. Raj Arjun (Khawar Ali) and Skand Thakur (Wasim Abbasi) lend able support. Kiran Karmarkar (Home Minister) steals the show and plays to the gallery. Asit Redij (Opposition leader Rohit Thapar) leaves a huge mark. Arun Govil (Prime Minister) tries too hard. Sumit Kaul (Yakub Shaikh), Divya Seth Shah (Parveena Andrabi), Raj Zutshi (Salahuddin Jalal), Rajiv Kumar (Shamsher Abdali) and Irawati Harshe Mayadev (Brinda Kaul) also do well. Shashwat Sachdev's background score is kickass and quite catchy. All in all, Article 370 makes for a great watch.
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 818
10:28 AM
ARTICLE 370, CRAKK TO BENEFIT FROM CINEMA LOVERS DAY OFFER
The
next two Fridays will see the release of several small and mid-sized
films. Tomorrow, three films are up for release and they will largely
benefit, at least on the first day, thanks to the celebration of Cinema Lovers Day by theatres across the country. On this day, all tickets for normal seats will be priced at Rs. 99.
In the past, such offers have led to an increase in footfall. Due to
the discounted price, moviegoers end up watching even those films which
are not that exciting. As a result, all films will more or less have a
great run tomorrow.
The big release of the week is Article 370, starring Yami Gautam and Priyamani. It is produced by Aditya Dhar, who directed the much-loved film, Uri.
As the name suggests, the film is about how the controversial Article
370 was revoked by the Government of India. The trailer gives an
action-thriller vibe and hence, it has got noticed. Also, the topic is
enticing for a section of the audience. Yet, due to the cast and also
because it’s not the usual entertainer, the hype was limited. It seemed
like one of those films which would start slow and which would see a
sharp jump from the second day.
But thanks to the Cinema Lovers Day offer, Article 370 will get a boost. The film is expected to open in the range of Rs. 3.50-4 crores and has an outside chance of hitting the Rs.5 crore
mark. The second-day earnings might be the same as the first day
because the rates will be back to normal. But if word of mouth is
positive, it’ll have a healthy run at the box office.
The second release, Crakk, stars Vidyut Jammwal and he’s also one of the producers. Arjun Rampal, Amy Jackson and Nora Fatehi
also star in this action flick. The trailer is interesting and it’s
about a group of youngsters participating in an extreme sports
competition. Sadly, the excitement for the film is very limited. Despite
the Rs. 99 offer, the advances for the film are hardly there.
Nevertheless, it has a chance as the film appeals to the youth. So, it
can have spot bookings in abundance. Moreover, those who won’t get
tickets for Article 370 or Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya will end up
watching Crakk to take advantage of the offer.
Crakk is expected to be at around Rs. 1-1.50 crores and if all goes well, it’ll beat the first-day earnings of Vidyut’s last week, IB 71, that is, Rs. 1.75 crores. Good word of mouth is very crucial for the film to sustain in the long run.
Lastly, Varun Grover’s All India Rank
gets a limited release but it’s a film with hardly any buzz whatsoever.
Hopefully, it’ll also take advantage of the Cinema Lovers Day offer.
How the most militarized zone was normalized is a powerful story-Aditya Suhas Jambhale
8:34 AM
Addressing people’s skepticism, Article 370 director Jambhale says the political thriller reflects his belief that the 2019 abrogation created ‘one India’; asserts the covert operation makes for a powerful story
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 20, 2024)
Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s first two short films were set in Konkan, a region he knew intimately. Amritsar Junction (2020), set against the backdrop of the Partition, was born from his desire to prove to himself that he can do a Punjabi film.
“I wanted to prove that I can handle complex stories that are not familiar to me,” he explains. Did this sentiment lead the Goan filmmaker to make Article 370, which examines the 2019 revocation of the special status that was granted to Jammu & Kashmir? Jambhale says the genesis of the Yami Gautam-starrer took place when he was shooting his supernatural film, Baramulla.
“Aditya [Dhar, producer] trusted me because the story of Baramulla was sensitive, and I was able to shoot prolifically in Kashmir. I had always thought of Kashmir as an outsider, but during Baramulla’s shoot, I stayed there for four months. In the last three years, the tourism in the region has changed. Businesses are booming. It was never a location for Bollywood, but now 20 productions are on,” shares the director.
Assured by producer Aditya Dhar’s faith in him, the National Award-winning filmmaker says he played on the front foot as he shot Article 370 in Kashmir. “We shot a scene with Yami in Downtown [Srinagar], where no shoot happened previously. The police and the CRPF [Central Reserve Police Force] were there; the locals also made us feel secure,” he states.
Many view the abrogation of Article 370 as a major win for the current government. One cannot overlook how the movie, centred on this subject, is having a timely release in the election year. Can such a film then have a balanced point of view? “Article 370 deals with the local Kashmiri feeling. On ground, it has impacted the life of a person selling things on a shikara on Dal Lake,” asserts Jambhale.
“As far as the election year is concerned, there are two things—we have the right intent. We believe that the covert operation was fascinating, and [they pulled it off] without losing lives. How the most militarized zone was normalized is a powerful story. It reiterates that India is one. People tell us that it’s for the sake of elections, and we tell them, ‘Go, watch the film.’ Secondly, as a filmmaker, I want to have an opinion. I support the decision of Article 370 being made redundant, and creating one India. Unless I believe in it, I cannot make it.”
No one knew what the movie Article 370 was about. It had to be kept a secret-Yami Gautam
11:25 PM
Yami discusses how her film Article 370, which traces the 2019 revocation of J&K’s special status, was shot in a hush-hush manner; recounts her prep with the NSG
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; February 12, 2024)
In today’s age of social media, it’s almost impossible to keep the details of a film under wraps. But the makers of Article 370, led by Yami Gautam Dhar, ensured that they kept the project hush-hush while they shot it in Kashmir last year.
“No one knew what the movie was about. It had to be kept a secret. We are thankful to the police, the CRPF [Central Reserve Police Force] and the Armed Forces for taking care of us during the shoot,” begins the lead actor.
Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s political thriller looks at the events around the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir in terms of autonomy. Gautam portrays a National Investigation Agency intel officer, who played a role in maintaining peace in the Valley. Aware that retelling a real-life story on celluloid is a big responsibility, she walked into the Jio Studios and B62 Studios’ venture armed with prep.
“We’ve seen some of the best [weapons] in the world. I loved the weeks of training. [It taught me] how to hold a gun with precision, and treat it not as an object in my hand, but as a part of me. Retd Col Keshvendra Singh and Bhushan [Vartak] sir from the NSG [National Security Guard] guided us so that we could keep things as authentic as possible.”
Before the shoot, Gautam also trained at the NSG centre in Mumbai. “When we entered the NSG compound, thanks to Colonel Kirpal Singh ji, it was a different experience altogether. To practice there was very enriching as we got an exposure to the kind of precision they work with, when you can hear each and every breath, for example. To be a small part of that work and make it come alive on celluloid was the best experience.”
Article 370 will be a memorable movie for Gautam for a personal reason too - during the shoot, the actor learnt that she was pregnant. The mother-to-be looks radiant as she says, “When you are pregnant, you have so many questions, so many firsts. I’m lucky to have Aditya [Dhar, filmmaker-husband] by my side.”
Was shooting an action thriller at such a stage tricky? She says that fortunately, all action sequences were canned before she learnt of the pregnancy. Being more centred and cautious was her mantra for the rest of the filming. “You have a life growing inside you, you’re responsible for it. At the same time, [you have to] balance it with commitment to work. Precautions are important; I have to be cautious, but not conscious.”
Instead of Yami Gautam, if a star kid did had debuted with Vicky Donor, they would be at the Oscars-Aditya Dhar
11:24 PM
Article 370 creator Dhar on submitting script to Defence Ministry for approval; asserts movie’s aim is to give ‘chronological account’ of J&K’s special status revocation
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 15, 2024)
Less than five years after the abrogation of Article 370, creator-producer Aditya Dhar is ready with a political thriller that, he says, examines the events around the revocation of the special status that was granted to Jammu and Kashmir. A film of this nature is tough to pull off, given the sensitivity of the subject. To make Article 370, Dhar did what he did for his last directorial venture, Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019)—seek the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) approval and do due diligence.
“I was always clear that I won’t bypass protocol. For Uri, I presented the script to the ADGPI [Additional Directorate General of Public Information], and took approvals from every department at every stage. The MoD had to give us clearances. I have understood two important things—first, they give better feedback than 99 per cent of people from the [film] industry. Second, the procedures make our life easier. After that, no one can harass us or stop our shoot. You have to show them your paperwork, you have to do your homework, and if your intent is correct, they will help you out,” says the producer.
Starring Yami Gautam and Priyamani, the Aditya Suhas Jambhale-directed venture was shot entirely in Kashmir. Reflecting on how smoothly the shoot went, Dhar says, “From 2019, it has been peaceful in Kashmir. The tourism has gone up. Colleges and schools are open. There is no stone-pelting, the internet is smooth. People are seeing the good changes.”
Such a movie demands a balanced viewpoint, especially when the local sentiment on the abrogation of Article 370, in 2019, remains divided. Is he worried that some sections might be offended by the political thriller?
“Our film is a chronological account of what happened. The drama of it lies in how the bureaucracy, Army, MoD and CRPF [Central Reserve Police Force] worked to ensure this operation happened peacefully. If it had failed, people would have blamed the establishment. Some people believe this is an agenda-driven film even before they have watched it. Maybe the agenda is in their head. I’ve been there before with Uri too. Every time I feel disheartened, I think of the real-life female officer on whom Yami’s character is based. A few bad words can’t dampen my spirit.”
Being a Kashmiri, it’s evident that the National Award-winning filmmaker holds the movie, Article 370, close to his heart. Why did Dhar then pass up the chance to helm it? “I was to direct a movie in 2009, then in 2011, then in 2013 and so on. My first film finally happened in 2019. I waited for a decade to get to that point. In my early years, I [was made to feel] that my PR skills and who I hang out with mattered more than my talent. I wanted to change that. I met Aditya Jambhale during the National Awards. He told me he tried assisting in Mumbai, but wasn’t entertained because he didn’t come from a certain stratum. I saw myself in him. I want to platform people who are meritorious. When I did Uri, people didn’t see Vicky Kaushal as a star. Yami started out with Vicky Donor [2012], her career should have skyrocketed. If a star kid did that debut film, they would be at the Oscars! When this story came to us, I realized Jambhale is the right director for it. He gets the nuances of a political story. He was the most deserving person for the film, and that’s the culture I want to maintain in my studio.”
Yami Gautam to be a mum soon; is five-and-a-half month pregnant
10:38 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 9, 2024)
Actor Yami Gautam Dhar and filmmaker Aditya Dhar, after a blissful marriage of three years, are all set to expand their family. We have got to learn exclusively that the Article 370 actor has been pregnant for five and a half months now!
A source tells us, “Yami is extremely ecstatic ever since she learnt about her pregnancy. It’s going to be most probably a May baby. The family had been keeping everything hush hush until now.”
Gautam’s recent public appearance with Dhar had led the internet to speculate whether she is pregnant, as she was hiding her belly with her dupatta. “Yami and Dhar are going to announce it soon, since she will also be promoting her next thriller now. She is the lead and he is producing it. So it makes sense to clear the air officially as it will already be evident to people. They can’t wait to share the news with the world,” adds our source.
The two had tied the knot on June 4 in 2021, after dating each other for over two years. They had met on the sets of Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) and fell in love.
In the season of general elections, political thrillers grips the nation’s psyche
8:08 AM
Mimansa Shekhar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 7, 2024)
Bollywood’s love for political stories is not new, but with the upcoming general elections, there is an increase in political dramas. The year started with Pankaj Tripathi starrer Main Atal Hoon, biopic on former Prime Minister, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Several other political thrillers, including Article 370, Emergency, Bastar - The Naxal Story, Section 108, The Sabarmati Report, The Delhi Files, are set to hit the screens as filmmakers vie to present intriguing stories on political leaders and key events. But what makes such films click?
The Tashkent Files (2019), The Kashmir Files (2022) and The Vaccine War (2023) filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri says, “A film industry that isn’t making a political film, is dehydrated. Every film should address socio-political issues because it touches our life.” The filmmaker is helming The Delhi Files, which is reportedly based on the 1984 Sikh riots in New Delhi.
In the past, filmmakers like Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Shyam Benegal, Prakash Jha, Sudhir Mishra, among others brought socio-political commentary in their films. And this genre continues to be a loved by the current crop of filmmakers.
While Yami Gautam Dhar‘s Article 370 is set against the revoking of Article 370 that gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status; Emergency, headlined by Kangana Ranaut, biographical historical drama based on Indian Emergency during former Prime Minister, late Indira Gandhi’s term.
Another reason political thrillers pull in the crowds is the relatability factor. Even if not directly, several movies have subtle political undertones. Pointing at films such as Inquilaab and Aaj Ka MLA (both 1984), Gadar 2 (2023) director Anil Sharma asserts that politics is an integral part of our cinema, “Even today, if you go to the rural areas, people discuss politics sitting under a tree. Political films are a popular sentiment in India, hence it works with the audience.”
Actor Adah Sharma, who spearheaded The Kerala Story (2023), will be seen next in Bastar - The Naxal Story, that traces the Naxal movement in Chattisgarh. The 31-year-old says the final verdict of a film is in the hands of the audience: “In 2023, the biggest movies were Jawaan and Pathaan, which weren’t political thrillers, [but] The Kerala Story was part of the top films. Since time immemorial, movie watchers have embraced all genres equally. Bastar... is a political thriller, if the audience decides it’s well made, it will work.”
With Rang De Basanti (2006), Raajneeti and Rakta Charitra (both, 2010), Aarakshan (2011) and Maharani (2021), we’re seeing an upswing in this genre. The crux remains that important stories are told from every lens and aspect of the political spectrum because that’s what makes the nation think.
Experts share their views
Trade expert Atul Mohan says, “The political thrillers releasing this year don’t have an edge as the audience knows that it can only be agenda driven. Poore desh ka mahaul election ka hai, so news mein zaroor reh sakti hain, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they will do well at the box office also.”
Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi says, “It’s tough to avoid cricket, cinema and politics in our country. People might say a film is right-leaning, like The Kerala Story or The Kashmir Files, but we’ve also had films like Mulk (2018) or Article 15 (2019), which spoke from the other side of the political leaning.”
Producer and film expert Girish Johar says, “Bheed (2023) was released at the perfect time, but didn’t do well as audiences seek both relevance and entertainment. [For political films], it’s topical as everyone is talking about elections.”
RRR writer K V Vijayendra Prasad scripts woman-led historical drama on Article 370
8:09 AM
RRR writer scripts woman-led historical drama, which will chronicle introduction of Article 370 for J&K until its revocation in 2019
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 6, 2023)
It has been a busy year for famed writer K V Vijayendra Prasad, who developed the scripts of his directorial venture Bhagwa Dhwaj, 1770: Ek Sangram, and his son S S Rajamouli’s adventure drama featuring Mahesh Babu. Now, as we near the year-end, the veteran writer has made a new beginning.
He is developing the script of Article 370, a historical drama that will focus on how the Indian Constitution granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir in terms of autonomy from November 1952, until it was revoked in October 2019.
While his last few offerings —from the Baahubali franchise to the wildly successful RRR (2022)—gave us larger-than-life heroes, this time around, he is putting a woman at the centre of the big-budget Bollywood film.
Prasad shares, “The story is told from a woman’s point of view, beginning from the time of the Partition. [It will depict] how Article 370 was introduced, its adverse effects and how it was repealed, when she is 90-plus. Her conviction is that she will not die until the Indian flag is hoisted at Lal Chowk, in Srinagar.”
Prasad is reluctant to divulge details about who is backing the period drama. “I can’t reveal the name of the Bollywood producer who has approached me to write the script,” he states. But he is forthcoming about the story that, he says, is based on intense research and first-hand experiences of people.
“I must be accurate about the facts. It is not fictional, we’ve only dramatized incidents of what exactly happened.”
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