Showing posts with label Bachu Ni Benpani. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bachu Ni Benpani. Show all posts
Gujarati films find their mojo, and the moolah
9:26 AM
Universal stories, new themes, attractive state subsidy help more than double box-office collections in ten years
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 15, 2025)
Universal stories rooted in language and culture, showcasing new themes, and filmmakers with modern sensibilities, strong community groups (mandals) helping in word-of-mouth appeal, and digital communication on new releases have transformed the fortunes of the Gujarati film industry in the past decade, producers, directors, and writers told ET. Other factors include relatively higher return ratios among mid-budget regional films, good investment recovery from streamers, attractive state subsidy, and favourable structural changes.
In the past decade, the Gujarati film industry’s box office collection jumped more than twofold to Rs. 104 crore as of October 5 from Rs. 46 crore in 2015, as per a study by media and entertainment research firm Ormax Media.
Notably, the surge in collection has been more pronounced in the past three years, peaking in 2025 with Gujarati cinema surpassing Punjabi, Bengali, and Marathi cinemas in collections, noted the study. Films such as Jhamkudi, Umbarro, All The Best Pandya and Bachu Ni Benpani are among the top-grossing Gujarati releases.
“Two key aspects are working for Gujarati films. One is that makers are focusing on universal subjects. And the other is dialogues in these films. Makers are strictly focusing on rootedness when it comes to language,” said Krishnadev Yagnik, director of Gujarati film Vash (2023), which was remade into Hindi as Shaitaan (2024).
This year, footfalls for Gujarati films reached a decadal high of 10 million, according to the Ormax Media report.
“We are in the second phase of Gujarati cinema. Audiences have been receptive to new themes. Importantly, returns on Gujarati films have been good enough,” said Anand Pandit, producer of Gujarati blockbuster 3 Ekka (2023).
Concurring with Pandit, Anil Rawal, a Gujarati novelist and veteran journalist said, “Today, new themes such as queer and horror comedy are being explored in Gujarati films such as Katlaa Curry and Jhamkudi respectively. In these films, the family as a central unit is also neatly interwoven across diverse genres. This resonates with the audiences.”
Director Krishnadev Yagnik noted that Gujarati films have a slightly higher success ratio than other regional movies if one considers the total number of releases in a year. “If the success ratio in other regional films is 5%, Gujarati films would have at least a 7% success ratio,” he said.
In recent years, the Gujarati film industry has reduced its dependence on the success of one or two films. There is an increasing number of mid-and-small-budget films recording collections in the range of Rs. 3-10 crore consistently in recent years, per the Ormax report. Gujarati films are being made with Rs. 1-5 crore budgets.
“A complete ecosystem has emerged for Gujarati films. Production houses, casting agencies, streamers such as Shemaroo and JOJO buying Gujarati content post theatrical and community groups (mandals) spreading awareness about new releases have contributed to the industry’s growth,” said Parth Madhukrushna, co-founder, Marrkatbros, an Ahmedabad-based film production house. “In addition, the state subsidy of up to Rs 75 lakh play a critical role in the business of Gujarati films.”
(Crisp) Movie Review: BACHU NI BENPANI by FENIL SETA
10:36 PM
Bachu Ni Benpani is a Gujarati film which released way back on August 27 and continues to run in cinemas successfully. It is the story of a hypochondriac who goes on a trip of a lifetime to Thailand. The film is produced by Coconut Motion Pictures that also made Chaal Jeevi Laiye, the 2019 historic Gujarati blockbuster that is STILL running in cinemas (believe it or not). Bachu Ni Benpani’s plot reminds one of that film, as well as Kangana Ranaut’s Queen. Chaal Jeevi Laiye was funny but also very moving, while Bachu Ni Benpani hardly has any serious moments. It provides dollops of laughter and at the same time, also manages to make viewers ponder about life. The film has been mounted on a large scale, with the majority of its shooting taking place in Thailand. On the flipside, a few developments are very silly. Although the idea was to provide audiences with a rocking time, one wishes that the serious bit had been explored a bit more. Also, a crucial track was left abruptly. Siddharth Randeria, as expected, nails the character effortlessly. Ratna Pathak Shah puts up a confident act and her chemistry with Siddharth is lovely. Devarshi Shah (Vicky) leaves a mark while Yukti Randeria (Jassi) has a fine screen presence and is impressive. Prince Limbadiya (Aagam), Jahnvi Chauhan (Preeti) and Gopi Desai (Chandrika) do well. Songs are fine with 'Havan Karaavo' standing out as it is sung by Amit Trivedi. All in all, Bachu Ni Benpani makes for an ideal watch with family and friends.
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
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