Showing posts with label Devara - Part 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devara - Part 1. Show all posts
Saif Ali Khan is unpolluted; he comes like a layman to the sets-Koratala Siva
8:53 AM
Mugdha Kapoor (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 20, 2024)
Director Koratala Siva is “on cloud nine” following the box office success of NTR Jr-starrer Devara: Part 1. “The audiences embraced our vision and idea, and showered us with so much love and appreciation,” he gushes.
The filmmaker reveals that the script was crafted with NTR Jr in mind: “We share a very special bond, and I’d keep pitching ideas to him.”
Talking about Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor, who portray Bhairava and Thangam, respectively, Siva adds, “I needed someone as strong and intense as NTR Jr and Saif was always the first choice. He’s unpolluted... he comes like a layman to the sets... (And) the way Janhvi got into the skin of the character, we never felt that she’s new to South.”
Talking about picking “the right actors to tell good stories”, the 49-year-old opines, “It’s not Tamil, Telugu or Hindi film industry now; it’s Indian cinema. We need to tell the world what Indian folklore is.”
Addressing the trend of telling stories in parts, he shares, “We established the characters in Part 1. In Part 2, Vara will be seen in a different avatar, and what really happened between him and Devara will unfold,” and promises that Part 2 will be a “bigger and bloodier” experience.
Ask him if the success adds more pressure to deliver another hit and he says, “It’s part of the game.”
PETA India VP urges filmmakers to use CGI after criticizing Bigg Boss 18’s use of a donkey
2:47 PM
After shooting a letter to Salman slamming inclusion of a donkey in Bigg Boss 18, PETA head says unethical to use animals for entertainment; urges filmmakers to employ CGI
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 11, 2024)
Bigg Boss is designed to court controversy, and this time, the Salman Khan-hosted show has irked audiences within days of it rolling. On Wednesday, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wrote a letter to Khan and the makers, expressing concern over the use of a donkey, named Gadharaj, in the reality show’s 18th season (Keep the donkey out of it, October 10). In the letter, PETA highlighted that donkeys are naturally anxious animals, and being placed in a chaotic environment like the Bigg Boss set could cause undue stress. The organisation also suggested that the animal be relocated to a sanctuary.
When mid-day contacted Sachin Bangera, Vice President, PETA India, he asserted that using animals in show business for entertainment is wrong. “We don’t want filmmakers to use live animals. In this day and age, CGI [computer-generated imagery] and AI [artificial intelligence] can make it better. Baahubali and the recent Devara - Part 1 used CGI. PETA gave an award to Poacher; the elephants in it were generated by CGI. When you tell a story about animals, using them to convey it is counter-productive,” he reasoned.
The donkey was brought into the Bigg Boss house by one of the contestants, advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte. Soon, netizens took umbrage at its inclusion and expressed that it must be distressing for the animal.
Bangera says, “People called out the makers because they could see that the donkey wasn’t comfortable. It’s not entertainment for him. We can’t enjoy at their cost. The Animal Welfare Board of India has guidelines [about animal safety]. But no one from the board or an inspector is present on the set. In the US, they have inspectors on sets. But our point is, why use animals at all? Just because they don’t speak our language, we feel we are superior and think we have the right to use them for our entertainment.”
He added that PETA has not heard back from Khan’s team or the production house.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 850
11:16 PM
DEVARA - PART 1 HOLDS WELL IN HINDI; JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX EXPECTED TO FALL
The Hindi version of last week’s release Devara - Part 1 has emerged as a surprise. Not much was expected from it, especially when it didn’t get an encouraging advance. But it managed to open at Rs. 7.50 crores, more than the expected figure of Rs. 6 crores. The collections jumped to Rs. 8.75 crores on Saturday and Rs. 10.25 crores on Sunday respectively. On Monday, it dropped to Rs. 3.75 crores but jumped to Rs. 4 crores on Tuesday as Wednesday, October 2, was a holiday on account of Gandhi Jayanti.
On Gandhi Jayanti, the film has collected around Rs. 5 crores. The collections will drop on Thursday but the first week's earnings will be around Rs. 43-44 crores, which is not bad at all. It’ll hold in the second week due to no competition. Hence, it has a chances to collect Rs. 70-75 crores in its lifetime.
Meanwhile, Joker: Folie à Deux was released on October 2 to take advantage of the Gandhi Jayanti holiday though it's releasing in most parts of the world on October 4. Incidentally, the first part, Joker, was also released in 2019 on Wednesday, October 2. Then, it opened at Rs. 5.25 crores and the sequel is expected to open at around Rs. 5.50-6 crores. The first part had dropped to Rs. 3.25 crores on Thursday, October 3. Joker: Folie à Deux, sadly, might have a bigger drop as the word of mouth is quite negative. This is unlike the first part, which enjoyed unanimous acclaim.
The goodwill of the first part and clean run until October 11 will also benefit Joker: Folie à Deux. Joker went on to collect around Rs. 67 crores with the first week collections amounting to Rs. 37.89 crores. Joker: Folie à Deux, sadly, will end its collections under Rs. 40 crores looking at the response. A clearer picture will emerge on Monday, October 7 after the extended weekend ends.
The Hindi version of last week’s release Devara - Part 1 has emerged as a surprise. Not much was expected from it, especially when it didn’t get an encouraging advance. But it managed to open at Rs. 7.50 crores, more than the expected figure of Rs. 6 crores. The collections jumped to Rs. 8.75 crores on Saturday and Rs. 10.25 crores on Sunday respectively. On Monday, it dropped to Rs. 3.75 crores but jumped to Rs. 4 crores on Tuesday as Wednesday, October 2, was a holiday on account of Gandhi Jayanti.
On Gandhi Jayanti, the film has collected around Rs. 5 crores. The collections will drop on Thursday but the first week's earnings will be around Rs. 43-44 crores, which is not bad at all. It’ll hold in the second week due to no competition. Hence, it has a chances to collect Rs. 70-75 crores in its lifetime.
Meanwhile, Joker: Folie à Deux was released on October 2 to take advantage of the Gandhi Jayanti holiday though it's releasing in most parts of the world on October 4. Incidentally, the first part, Joker, was also released in 2019 on Wednesday, October 2. Then, it opened at Rs. 5.25 crores and the sequel is expected to open at around Rs. 5.50-6 crores. The first part had dropped to Rs. 3.25 crores on Thursday, October 3. Joker: Folie à Deux, sadly, might have a bigger drop as the word of mouth is quite negative. This is unlike the first part, which enjoyed unanimous acclaim.
The goodwill of the first part and clean run until October 11 will also benefit Joker: Folie à Deux. Joker went on to collect around Rs. 67 crores with the first week collections amounting to Rs. 37.89 crores. Joker: Folie à Deux, sadly, will end its collections under Rs. 40 crores looking at the response. A clearer picture will emerge on Monday, October 7 after the extended weekend ends.
(Crisp) Movie Review: DEVARA - PART 1 by FENIL SETA
2:48 PM
Devara - Part 1 has a terrific first half. The lead character is very admirable and instantly, one starts looking up to him. The conflict in the tale is superb and easy to relate to. The action scenes are clapworthy and the film goes on a high during the intermission point. But in the second half, the film goes downhill. There are jumps in the narrative and the goings-on fail to create the same impact. An important twist looks like a copy of a similar twist in another Pan-India film. It ends abruptly with a lot left for the second half. But even in two-part films, the first part needs to give a wholesome experience as it happened in Baahubali: The Beginning, KGF - Chapter 1, Pushpa: The Rise – Part 01 etc. Devara - Part 1, meanwhile, is miles behind these memorable films. Jr NTR, however, is terrific and enhances the mass quotient with his mere presence. Saif Ali Khan is too good and induces fear just through his expressions. Janhvi Kapoor looks stunning but sadly, she is wasted. Prakash Raj (Singappa), Shruti Marathe (Devara's wife), Talluri Rameswari (Devara's mother), Srikanth (Rayappa) and Murali Sharma (Muruga) are okay. Songs are poor. All in all, Devara - Part 1 is disappointing.
My rating - ** out of 5!
My rating - ** out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 849
5:45 PM
WILL DEVARA - PART 1’S HINDI VERSION SUCCEED AT THE BOX OFFICE?
The first big film after 7 weeks, Devara - Part 1, is all set to release in cinemas tomorrow and the excitement is tremendous for the original Telugu version. It stars Jr NTR and this is his first film after RRR, which took his stardom to another level. The presence of Hindi actors like Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor have also grabbed eyeballs. Moreover, the film looks like a grand entertainer and will also see a release in the IMAX version.
In the original Telugu version, the film will take an earth-shattering start. In the home market of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, it’ll be around Rs. 65 crores and it won’t be a surprise if it touches the Rs. 70 crores mark. The worldwide all languages first day will be around Rs. 120-125 crores. This would mean Devara - Part 1 will be the second Rs. 100 crore plus opener for Jr NTR.
The buzz for the Hindi version, however, is low. The film has got a grand release as it’s the first biggie in Hindi after Stree 2. Hence, many single screens and multiplexes have given the film a lot of shows. There’s also a hope that it’ll work as it’s a masala flick and such films can attract the audience.
As of now, the Hindi version of Devara - Part 1 seems to open at around Rs. 5-6 crores. If the response is positive, the second day can see collections in double digits.
The other significant release of the week is Binny And Family. It marks the debut of Varun Dhawan’s niece Anjini Dhawan and also stars Pankaj Kapur. The film looks like a lovely family entertainer and has been a talking point in the industry as many have already been shown the film. The screen count is limited and if it manages to get thumbs up from the moviegoers, it can see a huge jump from Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Marathi film, Navra Maza Navsacha 2, had a huge first week and will continue to do well in Week 1. However, it’ll face show-sharing issues due to the new release, Dharmaveer 2, which is also expected to take a healthy start.
The first big film after 7 weeks, Devara - Part 1, is all set to release in cinemas tomorrow and the excitement is tremendous for the original Telugu version. It stars Jr NTR and this is his first film after RRR, which took his stardom to another level. The presence of Hindi actors like Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor have also grabbed eyeballs. Moreover, the film looks like a grand entertainer and will also see a release in the IMAX version.
In the original Telugu version, the film will take an earth-shattering start. In the home market of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, it’ll be around Rs. 65 crores and it won’t be a surprise if it touches the Rs. 70 crores mark. The worldwide all languages first day will be around Rs. 120-125 crores. This would mean Devara - Part 1 will be the second Rs. 100 crore plus opener for Jr NTR.
The buzz for the Hindi version, however, is low. The film has got a grand release as it’s the first biggie in Hindi after Stree 2. Hence, many single screens and multiplexes have given the film a lot of shows. There’s also a hope that it’ll work as it’s a masala flick and such films can attract the audience.
As of now, the Hindi version of Devara - Part 1 seems to open at around Rs. 5-6 crores. If the response is positive, the second day can see collections in double digits.
The other significant release of the week is Binny And Family. It marks the debut of Varun Dhawan’s niece Anjini Dhawan and also stars Pankaj Kapur. The film looks like a lovely family entertainer and has been a talking point in the industry as many have already been shown the film. The screen count is limited and if it manages to get thumbs up from the moviegoers, it can see a huge jump from Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Marathi film, Navra Maza Navsacha 2, had a huge first week and will continue to do well in Week 1. However, it’ll face show-sharing issues due to the new release, Dharmaveer 2, which is also expected to take a healthy start.
Joker: Folie a Deux set for a huge opening in India
9:06 AM
With Joker: Folie à Deux’s advance booking opening a month before its Oct 2 release, trade says the move signals India is an important market for Hollywood
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 24, 2024)
This year, Bollywood doesn’t have a big release slated for October 2. But cinephiles have already pencilled in the holiday as their date with Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker: Folie à Deux. Knowing the anticipation around Todd Phillips’ directorial venture, Warner Bros Discovery seems to have found a way to maximise early ticket sales. While films usually open their advance booking a week ahead of release, the studio opened the counters on September 2, a month ahead of its October outing. Local trade experts suggest that the Hollywood studio is capitalising on the absence of big domestic films.
To the suits at the studio, the early access is their effort to provide Indian audiences the same experience that is enjoyed in international markets.
Denzil Dias, VP & Managing Director, India Theatrical, Warner Bros Discovery, states, “To provide fans with ample opportunity to secure their preferred seats, we have made tickets available well in advance. This early access aligns with international practices, offering Indian fans the same experience enjoyed by audiences worldwide.”
Trade expert Akshaye Rathi views the development as another sign that India has become an important market for Hollywood. He cites the example of Oppenheimer’s (2023) incredible run in India, making the country among the film’s top five markets.
“Hollywood has always looked at India seriously for the sheer population and the market size that they get. Avengers: Endgame [2019] was among that year’s top three grossers in India. So, now, many studios are all the more focused on enhancing their market share in India. Sony Pictures and Disney have become aggressive with their promotional campaigns,” he explains.
In the month since Stree 2’s runaway success, the box office hasn’t seen a Bollywood hit. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh points out that Joker: Folie à Deux has the potential to end the dry spell in urban centres. “It’s too early to give projections, but Joker will [open] huge. The only film that could be a competition is Devara - Part 1.”
The Telugu action drama stars Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor. Rathi states there is little chance of Joker hampering the September 27 release’s box-office prospects.
He notes, “It is a fact that Indian movies are not doing as well as they should. But I don’t think Hollywood cannibalizes our business. In fact, [films] doing good numbers encourages more theatres to flourish. Devara and Joker have different audiences; the former is [for] the masses and Joker has an urban reach.”
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