Showing posts with label Gadar 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gadar 2. Show all posts
We will start Gadar 3 next year-Anil Sharma
9:28 AM
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 15, 2026)
Filmmaker Anil Sharma says he knew Gadar: Ek Prem Katha would become a landmark the moment he first heard the script, and 25 years later, he feels it is “still alive in people’s hearts”.
“The day Shaktimaan Talwar narrated the story, I knew it had the potential to become India’s biggest hit film… I tried to make it at the level of Mother India (1957), Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and Sholay (1975),” he says, adding that the film recorded nearly 10 crore footfalls, a feat unmatched even today. “Even Gadar 2 had half of this footfall,” he adds.
Recalling its 2001 release alongside Aamir Khan’s Lagaan, he says, “There was no competition like today… people would watch one film and then another back-to-back. Woh marketing nahi, woh dil ka daur tha.”
On Gadar 3, he teases, “Gadar ki story ek bomb thi, sab kahte rahe par Gadar 2 tab bani jab ek atom bomb story mili. Now, Gadar 3 will only happen if we have a nuclear bomb story. We are working on the script and God-willing if all goes on track we will start it next year!”
Dhurandhar The Revenge top grosser in West Bengal; 2nd highest hit in CP Berar after Pushpa 2 - The Rule
9:20 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has smashed the record for Hindi films across India by a huge margin of 30% but it has turned out to be no competition for PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE in CP Berar as the latter is around 27-28% better. DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has done extraordinarily well in the circuit but the collections of PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE were something else due to the appreciation of PUSHPA: THE RISE - PART 01 in the centers of CP Berar.
There are other circuits where DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE is second best to PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE like Rajasthan, CI, Bihar and Odisha and also sub circuit Gujarat but the gaps are nothing like CP Berar. Even an Odisha, where the gap was most likely to be the highest, is only 15% less but it can be due to a Telugu version of PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE in play in the circuit. Both CP Berar and Odisha have a history of out performing for South films. Even that 80's phase where they were not South films but Hindi films made by South producers/directors tended to do better in these circuits.
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE may not be the top grossing film in the circuits mentioned above but to be close to a PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE in the likes of Rajasthan, CI, Bihar and Gujarat is actually a huge achievement in itself as the former is not a mass film like the latter and that can be seen by the collections in the smaller centres of these circuits. It is the bigger centres of these circuits be it a Jaipur, Patna or Indore which have taken it close to the PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE collections. The biggest film in the circuit ever is SHOLAY (1975) like in most circuits while second place you would give to HUM AAPKE HAI KOUN (1994). This century, it would be GADAR (2001) followed by PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE.
The all time top ten grossers in CP Berar are as follows.
1. Pushpa 2 - The Rule - 56,07,00,000
2. Dhurandhar The Revenge - 44,09,00,000
3. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion - 34,84,00,000
4. Chhaava - 34,40,00,000
5. Dhurandhar - 33,79,00,000
6. Gadar 2 - 32,32,00,000
7. Stree 2 - 30,70,00,000
8. KGF - Chapter 2 - 28,03,50,000
9. Animal - 23,86,50,000
10. Jawan -22,14,00,000
-------------------------------------
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has emerged the highest grossing film ever in West Bengal which did not look like happening on release. It was pretty much certain on day one that it would be the top film in North India, South India and probably Mumbai as well though Central and Eastern side would be tougher. It has not got to the top in any circuit in the Central circuits of Rajasthan, CP Berar and CI but has managed to be number one in West Bengal and Assam in the East.
The record in West Bengal was a big one as JAWAN had a big total which was 9 crore nett higher than anything else and West Bengal had been one of the weaker circuits for DHURANDHAR. Compared to JAWAN, it has underperformed in West Bengal but that is more to do with the Shah Rukh Khan factor who is by far the biggest star in the circuit. It can be seen below that it is JAWAN and PATHAAN that have out performed in this circuit. So, despite the star factor not being what it used to be, it still pays a part but its area by area an is not across the board.
There is also WAR but had advantage of Puja week and its possible that Hrithik Roshan is next most popular star here after Shah Rukh Khan. DHURANDHAR also has that Punjabi base which historically has never worked that well in West Bengal but the series overcame that too as well due to the content. DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE is practically at the end of its run and will finish at around 44.25 crore nett as its hardly playing in the circuit now.
The top ten grossers in West Bengal are as follows.
1. Dhurandhar The Revenge - 44,25,00,000 apprx (Ten Weeks)
2. Jawan - 43,68,50,000
3. Pushpa 2 - The Rule - 35,32,00,000
4. Pathaan - 34,95,00,000
5. Dhurandhar - 32,56,00,000
6. Stree 2 - 28,18,00,000
7. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion - 27,47,00,000
8. KGF - Chapter 2 - 24,77,50,000
9. War - 22,89,50,000
10. Animal - 19,69,00,000
These songs will be a part of Border 3 and 4 as well-Mithoon
10:49 AM
As Javed Akhtar terms the recreation of old songs ‘creative bankruptcy’, Border 2 composer Mithoon says tracks like Sandese Aate Hain will always be part of the franchise’s soul
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; January 26, 2026)
The year couldn’t have begun on a more celebratory note for Mithoon. January reverberated with the sounds of his songs from Border 2. People around him might have a different opinion on recreations, but as the composer-singer sits for a chat with mid-day, he is only filled with love and pride about revisiting the classic tracks of Border (1997) for the sequel. Excerpts from the interview.
How did your first meeting with director Anurag Singh go?
Bhushan Kumar [producer], Anurag Singh, and Nidhi Dutta [writer and producer] said they were planning a sequel to Border. Some things are non-negotiable. For example, everybody in the room knew that Border 2 would be incomplete without a couple of elements — one is Sunny [Deol] sir. The second is its iconic songs like Sandese Aate Hain and Toh Chaloon. Everyone felt I should be given the task of recreating them. But I was clear from day one that I wanted Anu Malik ji’s approval because those two songs are owned by him, and Javed [Akhtar] saab, who has written them. Anu ji agreed. That set the ball rolling.
How did you navigate the pressure of recreating these songs?
I don’t relate to pressure. Whether it’s an original song or a recreation, I don’t feel pressure because if you let it get to you, the battle is lost there itself. These are songs that people still relate to. In fact, there could be a Border 3, 4 or more [instalments], these songs will always be a part of its ethos.
Javed Akhtar revealed that he refused to write Border 2’s lyrics as he felt that recreating old songs is a sign of creative bankruptcy. How do you view it?
Javed saab is entitled to his opinion. But there are new characters in this movie, and they needed a fresh perspective. That is where the director and all of us felt the necessity to add a couple of new antras to the track. Again, it was in sync with the song.
So, do you disagree that using old songs for a sequel equals creative bankruptcy?
I do. I recreated Udd Jaa Kaale Kaava and Main Nikla in Gadar 2 [2023]. It’s what the story demands, and certain songs are etched into certain stories forever.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 918
10:42 AM
WILL BORDER 2 BE A BLOCKBUSTER LIKE GADAR 2?
The first biggie of 2026, Border 2, will release tomorrow, January 23 and the excitement is tremendous due to the star cast, recall value of the first part etc. Also, Gadar 2 (2023) worked big time. It was the first sequel to a film that was more than two decades old. Something of this sort was never attempted more and its success has given confidence that Border 2, the second part of the 29-year-old film Border (1997), can also work wonders.
Border was directed by J P Dutta, while Border 2 is directed by Anurag Singh of Kesari (2019) fame. The second part stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. Like Border, Border 2 is also set during the 1971 war, but shows a different battle.
From the time the film was announced, it looked like a winner. But the teaser, which was released in December, didn’t get an encouraging response. Many felt that the VFX was sub-standard. However, the makers then released the song ‘Ghar Kab Aaoge’, a recreated version of the iconic track ‘Sandese Aate Hai’ from Border. It instantly changed the tide. The trailer was released and it also got an encouraging response.
Nevertheless, the negativity still persists. The audience is adopting a wait-and-watch strategy. The jokes about Varun Dhawan have spread on the internet and it has harmed the film's perception to some extent. However, as it has happened in the past, if the film gets accepted by the audience, no amount of trolling by vested interests can succeed.
Gadar 2 opened at Rs. 38.96 crores and went on to do a lifetime business of Rs. 515.13 crores. Border 2 won’t be able to open at such a huge number. The hope is that it manages to collect Rs. 30 crores or more on the first day. If the reports are positive, it’ll see a jump on Saturday. Monday is a National Holiday, on account of Republic Day. As a result, the collections won’t slide down on Sunday night. In short, if all goes well, Border 2 has the potential to earn in the range of Rs. 140 and 170 crores in its first four days. No other mass film will be released until Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic; both films arrive on March 19. So, Border 2 will have a clean run of sorts for two months.
However, if the word of mouth is not positive, cracks will start showing over the weekend itself.
The first biggie of 2026, Border 2, will release tomorrow, January 23 and the excitement is tremendous due to the star cast, recall value of the first part etc. Also, Gadar 2 (2023) worked big time. It was the first sequel to a film that was more than two decades old. Something of this sort was never attempted more and its success has given confidence that Border 2, the second part of the 29-year-old film Border (1997), can also work wonders.
Border was directed by J P Dutta, while Border 2 is directed by Anurag Singh of Kesari (2019) fame. The second part stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. Like Border, Border 2 is also set during the 1971 war, but shows a different battle.
From the time the film was announced, it looked like a winner. But the teaser, which was released in December, didn’t get an encouraging response. Many felt that the VFX was sub-standard. However, the makers then released the song ‘Ghar Kab Aaoge’, a recreated version of the iconic track ‘Sandese Aate Hai’ from Border. It instantly changed the tide. The trailer was released and it also got an encouraging response.
Nevertheless, the negativity still persists. The audience is adopting a wait-and-watch strategy. The jokes about Varun Dhawan have spread on the internet and it has harmed the film's perception to some extent. However, as it has happened in the past, if the film gets accepted by the audience, no amount of trolling by vested interests can succeed.
Gadar 2 opened at Rs. 38.96 crores and went on to do a lifetime business of Rs. 515.13 crores. Border 2 won’t be able to open at such a huge number. The hope is that it manages to collect Rs. 30 crores or more on the first day. If the reports are positive, it’ll see a jump on Saturday. Monday is a National Holiday, on account of Republic Day. As a result, the collections won’t slide down on Sunday night. In short, if all goes well, Border 2 has the potential to earn in the range of Rs. 140 and 170 crores in its first four days. No other mass film will be released until Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic; both films arrive on March 19. So, Border 2 will have a clean run of sorts for two months.
However, if the word of mouth is not positive, cracks will start showing over the weekend itself.
Bihar emerges the best performing circuit for Saiyaara; beats Baahubali 2, Animal
8:47 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
SAIYAARA is coming to the end of its run and surprisingly BIHAR has emerged the best circuit for the film as it does business of over 16 crore nett which is more than ANIMAL. The film is the seventh highest grossing film ever in the circuit with only two non action films in the list being STREE 2 and SAIYAARA.
Bihar is a circuit still dominated by single screens and that is why generally action films score here big time. Also, historically action films have fared best though musicals can also score in the circuit and this was seen in the 90's with a lot of films with the music of Nadeem Sharvan out performing here even though other circuits may not have done well. PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE is on top by a distance with 30 crore nett plus business while GADAR 2 and STREE 2 are the only other films to cross 20 crore nett. SHOLAY (1975) and KRANTI (1981) are probably the biggest films of all time in the circuit.
The performance of SAIYAARA will have a lot to do with the music as well but when a film like this becomes a huge blockbuster, you could not even dream that Bihar would be the best performing circuit. The circuit has done around 5% of the all India business but the potential is much more as it used to be a 10% circuit when all was equal. The major downfall started as tickets pricing moved higher in the late 90's and higher pricing was not viable in most of the centres in Bihar. Still, this is better than the 2-3% that the circuit went to in the 2005-2010 period though there is much more potential as most of the centres do not have multiplexes.
The top ten films in Bihar is as follows.
1. Pushpa 2 - The Rule - 32,60,50,000
2. Gadar 2 - 23,23,00,000
3. Stree 2 - 22,37,00,000
4. Jawan - 18,56,00,000
5. KGF - Chapter 2 - 18,35,00,000
6. Pathaan - 18,09,50,000
7. Saiyaara - 16,30,00,000
8. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion - 15,00,50,000
9. Animal - 14,94,50,000
10. Tiger Zinda Hai - 12,27,25,000
Free movie ticket offer turning into a flop show
8:33 AM
‘Buy one get one free’ plans on opening weekend itself being seen as a tactic by producers to push bad films, say experts
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; September 15, 2025)
Mumbai: Increasing frequency of introducing 'buy one get one' (BOGO) offer on movie tickets, either in the opening weekend or on the opening day of a film's release rather than much later is proving to be counterproductive for producers as audiences are perceiving this tactic as the last resort to deal with low audience interest and boost collections of bad films, said film trade analysts, producers and distributors.
Recently, the makers of Hindi films such as Tanvi The Great, Baaghi 4, Ek Chatur Naar, and Heer Express announced BOGO offers on the opening day itself.
"BOGO ticket offers either on the opening day, or weekend have become a new trend in recent months," said Shaaminder Malik, a film distributor and trade analyst. "Earlier, makers would wait for at least two weeks and introduce BOGO offers on tickets to sustain momentum in collections of films which have already clicked with audiences," he added.
BOGO offer on film tickets first began with the rationale of making incremental collections on films which have already worked with audiences. Producers could afford to give BOGO offers of such films since the box office collections had already surpassed their estimates in the initial weeks. They would, therefore, launch a BOGO offer much after a film is released in theatres.
For instance, the makers of the film Gadar 2, which received a tremendous response from audiences, introduced a BOGO offer only in the third week of its release. For such films, a BOGO offer helps to boost ticket sales by 10-20%, said trade analysts. It also allows makers of mid-and-small-sized films to attract audiences to theatres. A pitfall of this practice is producers lose money when films fail to provide high incremental collections post the offer as they pay for the free tickets. Exhibitors' share in collections, however, remains intact.
"The general understanding of BOGO offers is that one gets a ticket free on buying a ticket. But this is a marketing thing. In real terms, one gets a discount of a certain amount on a ticket which is capped and borne by a producer," explained Suniel Wadhwa, co-founder and director at Karmic Films.
"These campaigns are tactical marketing spending to build momentum in footfalls. But they can never be a substitute for organic success of films."
Largely, producers have not gained from these marketing initiatives if one considers the performance of recent films. Even after the BOGO offer, Baaghi 4, which released on September 5, collected Rs. 47.5 crore compared to Rs. 72 crore by the English film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, which released on the same date.
"BOGO offers are so excessively used that they have a negative effect. Today, audiences interpret a BOGO offer as an indication that a film is not good. So, it is backfiring," said Girish Johar, producer and film business expert.
Though producers are resorting to BOGO offers, besides getting high-value deals from streamers and satellite channels, these entities have become stricter in buying films at irrational prices from producers.
You don’t need to be constantly busy making reels to prove your worth-Ameesha Patel
2:17 PM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; June 12, 2025)
Just when it seemed like Ameesha Patel had faded into the background, she came back into the spotlight with the massive success of Gadar 2. Celebrating 25 years in the industry, the actress who made her debut in Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000) reflects on her journey, shares her thoughts on her career choices and the importance of staying true to oneself. Excerpts:
‘I want to be part of something that’s remembered for a long time’
Ameesha says that she has always preferred her work to do the talking. “I’ve never been one to boast about my work. I let it speak for itself, and that’s how I want to continue.”
Ask her about her absence from the big screen before Gadar 2, and she says, “Taking a break to reflect on the kind of cinema and roles that resonate with you is a conscious decision. I don’t want to take up any project for the heck of being seen on a Friday. I want to be part of something that will be remembered for a long time. Also, you don’t need to be constantly busy on a set making reels to prove your worth.”
‘I was upset when I learnt about the Gadar climax being altered’
Although Gadar 2 was a box-office success, it stirred controversy. Ameesha was upset when the film’s climax was changed without her knowledge.
She explains, “I was hurt because I had agreed to do Gadar 2 with the understanding that my character would justifiably take revenge and kill the villain. However, the climax was altered, and when Anil Sharma shot it, he didn’t contact me for an entire year. He’s family to me, and I expected him to tell me that the original climax had to be changed. Had they retained the original climax, the film might have achieved an even greater cult status. But it’s in the past now — the film was a success, and it’s time to move on to the next chapter.”
Does this mean she wouldn’t mind collaborating with him again? She responds, “I’ll collaborate with anyone whose content I like, but I’ll be more cautious now when it comes to trust — once bitten, twice shy.”
‘I wouldn’t change anything about my career’
The Humraaz actress has always had an independent streak. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “I’ve never belonged to any group. I’ve always believed that I should be given opportunities based on merit, not because I have any personal associations with any camp or social circle. In fact, the younger version of me was even more distant from all of this. I understand that being part of these dynamics could have helped my career, and yes, being part of certain camps might have opened doors. However, even then, I chose to stay away from it all, and I wouldn’t change anything about my career. God has been kind, and I have a lot to be happy for.”
‘I have been happily single for over 15 years’
Ask Ameesha about her relationship status, and she replies, “I’ve been happily single for over 15 years, and I am content with that for now. I’ve become synonymous with hardcore romances on screen, with people willing to cross borders for me (laughs!). But I’m sure I am as lucky in real life as I am on the big screen and will soon find my real-life Tara Singh.”
Hum filmein banate hain peace ke liye, lekin Pakistan peace maanta kahan hai-Anil Sharma
8:07 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; April 28, 2025)
"Sab ne apne-apne tareeqe se bataya hai India aur Pakistan ka conflict. Yashji had his take, Border showed it in a different way. When we made Gadar, we wanted to say, ‘mohabbat hi sab kuch hoti hai,’” shares director Anil Sharma. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, the veteran filmmaker, who is also one of the original voices of the Indo-Pak conflict on screen, shares his take on how the subject has been portrayed in cinema over the years.
‘Made Gadar with the perspective of humanity’
Through his films, Anil Sharma tried to talk about the power of humanity in the face of conflict. He says, “More than 10 lakh people lost their lives during the partition – one of the greatest tragedies the world has ever witnessed. We asked ourselves, ‘When the people on both sides of the border were so alike, what was the need to create two nations?’ Most of the Muslims living in India at that time could trace their ancestry, in some way or another, back to Hindus. There was a deep sense of brotherhood. It is also true that it was said at the time that Hindus living in Pakistan will continue to live there and Muslims living in Hindustan will continue to live there. Then why did it happen that those summons came, like we showed in Gadar, that Hindus living in Pakistan must leave their homes? Why did that violence happen? It was all because of the game of power and religion – the game that kills humanity. That’s what we tried to show in Gadar. We made the film with this perspective – tread the path of humanity.”
‘Uri showed that aakrosh hai janta mein’
In Uri, the sentiments are very different from that of a Veer-Zaara. “If (Pakistan) comes to our home and kills us, like they killed a few days back in Pahalgam, toh hum kya karenge? Hum bhi ja ke ghuss ke maarenge. Aakrosh hai janta mein – Uri showed that. I showed the same long back in my film Tahalka (1992),” says the director.
‘If we have to improve our relations, we have to think of humanity’
Talking about the attack on tourists, the director adds, “What happened in Pahalgam – why did it happen? Naam puchh-puchh ke maara – matlab kya hai iska? Aur kyun maara pehle toh? Aap ye phailana chahte hain ki Hindu-Muslim mein jhagde ho? Aur ye unki political thinking hai, unke political achievements hain, woh poore ho? Hindustan aur Pakistan ke rishton ke baare mein baat ye hai ki ek baar dono deshon ki awaam soche – politicians toh politics karte rahenge, woh badlenge nahi. Ek baar sab log soche ki hum chalein insaaniyat ke raaste par. As long as we are alive, we must spread love and peace, and that is what can improve Indo-Pak relations.”
He adds, “Consider this : we are spending billions on weapons made by foreign countries and growing poorer by the day. How does that help us? If we have to improve our relations, then we have to think of humanity. I have always made films with that purpose.”
‘Yash ji’s Veer-Zaara was a reminder Aap mohabbat ke raaste chalein’
Our films have often captured the ebb and flow of the relations between the two countries. Sharma says, “How Yash ji depicted Indo-Pak conflict in Veer-Zaara was beautiful. Having survived the partition, he brought a mature perspective that was beautifully reflected in Veer-Zaara. It was a coherent, heartfelt reminder – ‘Aap mohabbat ke raaste chalein.’”
‘We never attack first. But there is a limit to our tolerance’
For those who have lost their loved ones to conflict, there can be no “anti” or “pro” Pakistan film. Hum film banate hain peace ke liye, lekin ye (Pakistan) peace maante kahan hain?,” says Sharma, adding, “Our films are out there for the world to see what really happens. India has always been a peaceful country. We never attack first. But there is a limit to our tolerance. Whenever they attack – we give them a fitting reply. They started the Kargil war, they started the 1965 war, Pulwama, the Parliament attack – and now Pahalgam too. Whenever India reacts to their violence, provocation, or war, we make films that show how peace is possible – but only when the truth is faced.”
The director adds that our films are 100 per cent realistic. “We haven’t portrayed all of Pakistan in a negative light. Several Pakistani characters in Gadar 1 and Gadar 2 were genuine and came from a place of understanding. Hum awaam ko positive dikhane ki koshish karte hain. Awaam ko kabhi negative nahi dikhate. Hum dikhate hain politicans ko negative, jo satya hai. I believe common people in every country are inherently good. Awaam bechari ko kya chahiye? Awaam ko toh keval roti chahiye khaane ko,” he says.
Top ten footfalls post pandemic; Pushpa 2 - The Rule rules
3:49 PM
Box Office India Trade Network
PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE in Hindi will finish its run with roughly 4 crore footfalls which has only been seen twice this century with GADAR 2 and BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONLCUSION and these two went over 5 crore. No other film has crossed the 4 crore mark with DANGAL being the best at 3.7 crore while before GADAR, it was RAJA HINDUSTANI in 1996 to hit 4 crore.
There are many films to hit 4, 5 and even 6 crore in the older days when cinema had less competition from other entertainment and also was the only option to watch films though population was also only half of what it is now which more than compensates. Basically the films held wide appeal in those days. PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE joins an elite group of around 15-20 films in history to get 4 crore footfalls.
This is a huge target that PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE has set as post pandemic, 4 crore seemed like an impossible target due to the dwindling audience coming to the theatres. There are four South films dubbed into Hindi in the list and are probably more to come in the next few years especially if sequels of liked films are released. A realistic target for most of the big Hindi films will be 3 crore as GADAR 2 also looks a one off as that sort of single screen business can be written off for most films.
The box office number of GADAR 2 could have been higher with better multiplex pricing and footfalls could have been a little higher as well if it was not released in a crowded period. But as mentioned before, this is probably a one off and its 3 crore which is the biggest original Hindi films but that is also more than good enough as its around 600 crore nett business this year for the film released as a blockbuster film.
The top ten footfalls post pandemic are as follows. The original Hindi films are in bold.
1. Pushpa 2 - The Rule - 4 crore
2. Gadar 2 - 3.4 crore
3. Stree 2 - 3.2 crore
4. Jawan - 3.1 crore
5. Pathaan - 2.8 crore
6. Animal - 2.7 crore
7. KGF - Chapter 2 - 2.55 crore
8. RRR - 1.70 crore
9. The Kashmir Files - 1.55 crore
10. Kalki 2898 AD - 1.50 crore
Can we have unique content for everyone, everywhere, all at once? Dinesh Vijan speaks up
8:57 AM
Dinesh Vijan (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; December 31, 2024)
The future of entertainment lies in the hands of audiences, who will decide how and where they want to consume content. Imagine a scenario where a QR code allows viewers to choose whether to watch a film in a theatre, on the phone, or on TV. This flexibility will define new-age entertainment.
However, content must reach a wider audience, especially in a country with India's massive population. For example, while Stree 2 was a blockbuster, it was watched by only 45 million people. This highlights the huge scope for broader content distribution.
In the coming years, technology-particularly AI and innovative distribution models-will empower filmmakers and create platforms for new content. The key, however, is to craft stories that resonate with a large, diverse audience. We need to focus on creating content that is about India, for India, and of India.
I don't believe there's a "takeover" by southern cinema. Since the pandemic, the Hindi film industry has seen remarkable successes, with films such as Animal, Gadar 2, Pathaan, Jawan, and Stree 2 achieving box office collections of Rs. 500-600 crore in India. This clearly shows that the Hindi film industry is performing as well as its southern counterpart. What truly matters is giving audiences something fresh and unique-exactly what these films have delivered. Instead of viewing southern and Hindi films as separate entities, we should embrace them as part of one Indian film industry. My hope is that films from across the country resonate with audiences nationwide.
Both southern and Hindi industries produce hits, but there are also films from both that fail to connect with audiences. As someone who stays in touch with creators from both industries, I am optimistic that next two years will bring unique stories from across India.
Streaming platforms are not a threat to cinema-they will coexist with theatres. While streaming services are still expanding their reach, they complement rather than compete with the theatrical experience.
Stree 2 is second biggest grosser ever in CI after Baahubali 2; crosses Gadar 2
8:24 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
STREE 2 has emerged the second biggest grosser ever in CI and the third film to cross the 20 crore nett mark after BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONLCUSION and GADAR 2. The circuit is a mass barometer and figures never lie. With the three films on top and the gap to the rest, it pretty much shows which films have had biggest mass penetration in the last ten years or so.
The word mass is used a lot today with all these South films being called MASS films but you do not become a mass just because the hero is beating 50 goons or what down south they call elevation scenes with the entry of the hero. Films like THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME and DEVARA are called MASS films due to the elements but they hardly get reach outside their own states. A mass film is always about REACH and in India if you cant reach the heavy populated areas, you are NOT a mass film as you not reaching the masses.
STREE 2 may not have the elements of what is seen as a mass film but the fact is the film is a bigger mass film than even the likes of ANIMAL, JAWAN and PATHAAN as it has easily smashed the numbers of these films in the heavy populated states which indicates better satellite than these films in the long run also. BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONLCUSION remains the biggest film in CI but GADAR 2 would have comfortably beaten it if it had better ticket pricing and that is not taking the clash into as consideration as OMG 2 would not be a much of a factor here.
Taking GADAR 2 comfortably crossing 25 crore nett with better pricing means that PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE can actually target the 30 crore nett mark in this circuit if the film is as good as the trailer. This figures is almost double of ANIMAL and more than double of PATHAAN and JAWAN. The numbers can get higher and higher in this circuit when films have real reach.
The top ten grossers in CI of all time are as follows.
1. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion - 24,51,00,000
2. Stree 2 - 22,88,00,000
3. Gadar 2 - 22,62,00,000
4. Animal - 17,98,50,000
5. KGF - Chapter 2 - 16,08,50,000
6. Jawan - 14,84,50,000
7. Pathaan - 14,19,50,000
8. Dangal - 14,18,00,000
9. Tiger Zinda Hai - 12,83,50,000
10. PK - 12,59,00,000
Multiplexes expect a blockbuster weekend; record footfalls likely
8:42 AM
Record footfalls likely during 5-day weekend, which coincides with top Hindi & regional movie screenings: Execs
Javed Farooqui (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; August 14, 2024)
Film exhibitors expect record footfalls through the five-day weekend that coincides with the screening of potentially blockbuster Hindi and regional films, such as Stree 2, Khel Khel Mein, Vedaa, Double iSmart, and Thangalaan.
Executives at PVR Inox and Cinepolis say that the footfalls during the five-day long weekend that begins with Independence Day on Thursday have the potential to break the previous year's record of 35 million footfalls during the I-Day week.
"For us, it's better when 4 to 5 films work well in tandem rather than one film going through the roof. Stree 2 and Khel Khel Mein are seeing strong traction, but Vedaa, Double iSmart, and Thangalaan are also looking very promising," said PVR Inox co-CEO Gautam Dutta.
PVR Inox has done advance bookings of 4.5 lakh tickets between the five movies and expects ticket sales to accelerate as the week progresses.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg, as we have just opened Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday bookings. This number should be looked at from the perspective that the trend of advance bookings is not very high," Dutta added.
PVR Inox is expecting footfalls of four million between Thursday and Sunday. "We are expecting a million footfalls on Thursday. We are looking to do a footfall of about 3 million on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday," Dutta said.
Cinepolis India MD Devang Sampat said that the movie line-up looks promising as the content is diverse, catering to audiences with different tastes. Cinepolis is eyeing 1.2 million footfalls during the week.
"We have a five-day holiday, which has never happened in the past. What Gadar 2 and OMG 2 did last year, we are expecting something similar to happen this year," he said, adding that it has already sold 1 lakh tickets for Stree 2, Khel Khel Mein, and Vedaa during the weekend.
Jio Studios and Maddock Films’ Stree 2 has sold over 1 lakh tickets for the opening day alone within 48 hours of tickets going up for sale. Going by the advance booking data, the movie has already garnered over Rs 30 crore for the opening day on August 15
Gadar 2 to be re-released with Indian Sign Language interpretation
7:21 AM
Gadar 2 to be re-released with Indian Sign Language interpretation; Sunny says understanding deaf community’s needs crucial to make films inclusive
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 3, 2024)
Everyone deserves the joy of watching a movie and losing themselves in the make-believe world. Driven by this thought, the makers of Sunny Deol’s Gadar 2: The Katha Continues (2023) are re-releasing it, with Indian Sign Language (ISL). On August 4, the action drama will be released, with ISL interpretation, in select theatres across the country, thus ensuring that viewers with hearing impairment can enjoy the Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma-starrer.
In August 2023, all of us witnessed as Anil Sharma’s directorial venture, a sequel to Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), took the box office by storm. What did it tell us? That Deol had more fans than he thought. It was reiterated in February this year when India Signing Hands (ISH News), a Mumbai-based not-for-profit organization that works towards increasing accessibility for the deaf community, reached out to the makers. They had a simple request—most of their wards were Deol fans and eager to watch the movie. Zee Studios and PVR-Inox Pictures promptly teamed up with the NGO, and had ISL experts dub the movie over two months.
Deol, whose character Tara Singh has become a popular figure, is happy that his film has adopted an inclusive approach to reach his fans. Gadar 2 has always had “a special place” in his heart, and the latest development has only endeared it further to him.
“It’s overwhelming to see the continued love and support from audiences one year after Gadar 2’s release. This re-release with Indian Sign Language interpretation will allow the film to touch the hearts of more audiences. Understanding and empathy towards the accessibility needs of the deaf community is something we, in the entertainment sector, feel strongly about,” he says.
Patel echoes the leading man’s sentiments, stating, “It feels great to bring the story of Sakina back on the big screen for a special audience that does not get enough opportunities to fully enjoy cinema as the rest of us.”
Underlining that movie-viewing should become more inclusive, Umesh Kr Bansal, the studio’s chief business officer, says, “Making cinema accessible for all is a priority for us.”
While the re-release has been planned as a week-long affair, it will be extended if met with a strong response.
Singham Again, Pushpa 2, Stree 2: Trade experts, filmmakers talk about the phenomenon of sequels, franchises
3:57 PM
Allu Arjun returns as Pushpa in the eponymous franchise and Deepika Padukone smoulders for the first time as a cop in a new Singham film, among a flurry of franchise revivals and sequels in the works this year. We dive deep into the phenomenon
Mugdha Kapoor (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 1, 2024)
In recent years, particularly after the pandemic, a noticeable trend has emerged in films: the rise of sequels. In 2022 and 2023, several sequels achieved remarkable success. KGF: Chapter 2, the follow-up to the 2018 hit KGF: Chapter 1, became a pan-India sensation, breaking records and grossing over Rs. 1,200 crore worldwide. Similarly, Drishyam 2, a sequel to the 2015 thriller Drishyam, amassed both critical acclaim and strong box-office returns. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, a spiritual sequel to the 2007 horror-comedy, and Gadar 2, which hit theatres 22 years after the first part, also did well.
According to Ormax Media data, franchise films accounted for 17% of the Indian box office in 2019, but by 2023, this figure had risen to 45%. “The most anticipated Hindi films among regular theatregoers in India include Stree 2, Pushpa 2 - The Rule, Hera Pheri 3, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, War 2 and Singham Again,” Sanket Kulkarni, head of business development (theatrical), Ormax Media, tells us, adding that the trend also applies to Tamil and Telugu films.
The comfort of familiarity
“Sequels, by their very nature, bring with them a sense of continuity and established connection with characters,” says director Amar Kaushik, who is gearing up for the release of Stree 2. Elaborating, Kaushik says, “When a sequel is announced, viewers feel connected to the franchise because they have already loved the first part. The audiences think of such films as their own. Log expect karte hain sequel se, ki jitna maza unhein first part dekh kar aaya tha, next part bhi utna hi interesting bana hoga aur paise vasool honge.”
Seeing characters that they have loved, and looking forward to new journeys for them, makes it compelling for audiences, notes Gadar 2 director Anil Sharma. “So, the allure lies in revisiting familiar worlds and characters they’ve grown to love,” says Sharma, adding that that’s exactly why “characters and film ka essence same hona chahiye, jo pehle part mein tha, bas”.
Financial incentives and marketability
The financial aspect of making sequels is a significant driving force behind the proliferation. “When a sequel is made, financing and selling become much easier. Studios and investors are more willing to back a project with a proven track record, just as audiences are more inclined to watch a continuation of a beloved story. These factors make sequels an attractive proposition for everyone involved,” says Sharma.
Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi opines, “[For industry stakeholders, too], sequels are a sure shot recipe for success as filmmakers build on the popularity of a movie that’s already touched the hearts of the people.”
Sequels v/s stand-alone films
Are sequels in abundance because of a lack of original scripts and the failure of stand-alone, big-ticket films to draw audiences? “There’s no dearth of original scripts. Films such as Pathaan (2023) and Jawaan (2023) have done extremely well,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh, adding, “Even biopics like Srikanth, which is also an original script, have done well.” Meanwhile, concurring, film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi notes that films across genres — from Laapataa Ladies (2023) and Animal (2023) to the recent Munjya — are working well at the box office.
Look forward to:
The lineup of upcoming films is dominated by sequels — Stree 2, Singham Again and Raid 2 — demonstrating that sequels are a mainstay in the cinematic landscape.
Stree 2
Pushpa 2 - The Rule
Singham Again
Raid 2
War 2
Indian 2
Welcome To The Jungle
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2
Border 2
Hera Pheri 3
Kantara A Legend: Chapter 1
Bhediya 2
-------------------------------------------
There’s no set formula for a sequel. The first thing is to see if you have a story left [from the first part]. There should be honesty. I took 5-6 years to come up with a sequel [to Stree] because I think not just the audience, but even I, should feel excited about the story and the graph of the characters. I believe that all filmmakers who are making a sequel should maintain the essence of the first film and its characters.
-Amar Kaushik director (Stree and Bhediya)
Sunny Deol to play common man fighting the system in Gopichand Malineni's film; inspired by true events
8:38 AM
Kicking off SDGM’s shoot, director Malineni says film will see Sunny in all-out action avatar as he plays a common man fighting the system; movie inspired by true events
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 24, 2024)
When you’re on a hot streak, charge ahead. That’s what Sunny Deol has been doing since the mammoth success of Gadar 2: The Katha Continues (2023). Soon after wrapping up the shoot of Lahore 1947, the actor has dived into the world of Telugu film director Gopichand Malineni’s next, the working title of which is SDGM. On June 22, the actor kicked off the shoot in Hyderabad where production designer Avinash Kolla built a part of a village set to shoot the leading man’s introduction sequence.
Coming off two hits in Krack (2021) and Veera Simha Reddy (2023), Malineni has designed a massive action entertainer for his maiden Hindi offering. Though Deol built his career largely as an action hero, the director is confident that his film will showcase a new facet of the actor.
“I’ll present him in a never-before-seen action avatar. After Gadar 2 released, I narrated the story to Sunny sir. He said yes immediately, adding that he was looking for this kind of a role. Sunny sir doesn’t play a man in uniform. While it is the story of a common man who takes on [the system] to fight for what is right, it is an unusual concept. The story is inspired from various real-life incidents, which people will [understand] when they watch the movie,” says the director. The Hindi movie will be dubbed in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Tamil.
Malineni’s filmography proves that he has a firm grip over action movies. He is eager to up the ante as he teams up with Deol. He shares, “There are strong action set-pieces in this movie. That’s why we have signed three action directors. Most of the stunts are raw and real.”
Action choreographers Anal Arasu, Ram-Lakshman and Naga Venkat Naga have been signed on for the project, which also stars Saiyami Kher and Regina Cassandra. The director reveals that the leading ladies will be seen in fierce avatars as well.
“They are all shooting right now in Hyderabad. It is a start-to-finish schedule as we want to wrap it up by the year-end. We’ll shoot in Hyderabad, Mangalore and other cities across India. We have cast a top south actor as the antagonist, which we will reveal when the time is right.”
Mukti Mohan reveals Neeti Mohan's name was omitted from Gadar 2 song
8:07 AM
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 13, 2024)
A recent podcast with choreographers Remo D’Souza, Ganesh Acharya, Shakti Mohan and others, talking about them not getting credit on YouTube for many of their choreographed songs, has once again put the spotlight on the credit debate.
Weighing in on the issue, actor-choreographer Mukti Mohan says it isn’t just choreographers — even their assistants never get credit.
“The steps we see in a number — so many times, it’s the assistants who do that but their names are nowhere to be found,” she rues, lamenting that her work as an assistant choreographer for Padmaavat (2018) and Shamshera (2022), didn’t get any recognition.
But more shockingly, Mukti reveals that the name of her elder sister, singer Neeti Mohan, was omitted from the YouTube credits for Chal Tere Ishq Mein for Gadar 2 (2023).
“The credits had the actors, directors, and producers names, but her name was neither on the title nor in the credit list,” she says, adding that the power of social media and audience’s advocacy got Neeti her rightful recognition.
“She was quite upset and her morale went down. But thankfully, fans do figure out. Soon, people started commenting under the YouTube video, asking the label and production house to add Neeti’s credit because they easily recognized her voice.”
Baahubali 2 is the top grosser in Mumbai circuit by a margin
10:10 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONLCUSION still remains the top grossing film in Mumbai circuit and that too by a distance. In fact the top two films in the circuits are from South with KGF - CHAPTER 2 holding second spot. GADAR 2 would have been ahead of KGF - CHAPTER 2 if it had a solo release and pricing of the other blockbusters of 2023 but even with that it would not have reached the BAAHUBALI numbers.
If we take original Hindi content then its TANHAJI: THE UNSUNG WARRIOR leading in Maharashtra and GADAR 2 in Gujarat. Despite these huge grossers in 2023, the circuit generally was an underperformer but things look better now. There are chances that 200 crore nett can be hit in the circuit and the best shot at that will be PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE if the film has the merits of PUSHPA: THE RISE - PART 01.
Actually the films that can set huge numbers in this circuit in 2024 are both scheduled for a clash in August. Both PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE and SINGHAM AGAIN are at the moment set for an August 15th release date and both teams are adamant at the moment. So much work is left on both films that its a race against time and normally time wins in these scenarios. Both these films, if they work, will outperform in Mumbai and at the end of 2024, both will be among the top three.
The release date is outstanding with Independence Day on Thursday, Rakhsha Bandhan on Monday and then Janmashtami on second Monday. Gowever unlikely it looks at the moment, it would be great for the box office if one of the films could come as otherwise the period will not get the huge numbers it should.
The top ten grossers in Mumbai circuit at present are as follows. The only other film outside the list below to cross 100 crore nett is SANJU.
1. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion - 1,82,56,00,000
2. KGF - Chapter 2 - 1,45,45,00,000
3. Gadar 2 - 1,43,98,00,000
4. Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior - 1,43,85,00,000
5. Jawan - 1,40,05,50,000
6. Animal - 1,36,84,00,000
7. Pathaan - 1,35,82,00,000
8. Dangal - 1,04,26,00,000
9. PK - 1,04,21,50,000
10. Tiger Zinda Hai - 1,03,40,50,000
Sunny Deol calls all sequel speculations baseless
8:14 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 7, 2024)
From Border 2 to Gadar 3, Sunny Deol is amused by the many sequel speculations doing the rounds. Gadar 2 (2023) was a blockbuster, which has led the rumour mill to work in overdrive.
“People like to speculate,” says the actor. Clearing the air, he adds, “These rumours have been there since Gadar 2 released; ‘Yeh part 2 kar raha hai, voh part 2 kar raha hai’. Arrey, kitni sequels kar raha hoon? Har cheez ke rumours hain. I will announce it myself.”
The 66-year-old’s next, Lahore 1947, will be directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. “Gadar 2 was successful, so this film is happening,” says Deol, adding, “We’ve been working on this film for the past 15-17 years, but it wasn’t happening. Gadar 2 opened a lot of doors for us. People have seen us (Santoshi and Deol) working together in three films in different genres, and all were masterpieces.”
They have worked on Ghayal (1990), Damini (1993) and Ghatak (1996). While signing new projects, Deol doesn’t feel “insecure” or think about “people’s expectations” from him. “If I love the subject, I will do the character,” he ends.
India's box-office collections reach an all-time high of Rs 12,226 crore in 2023
8:21 AM
Hindi film industry bounces back with Rs. 5,380-cr mop-up last year: Ormax
Javed Farooqui (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; January 22, 2024)
Box office collection in India reached an all-time high of Rs 12,226 crore in 2023, exceeding the previous record of Rs 10,948 crore in 2019, and growing at a healthy 15% over 2022, according to the Ormax Box Office Report 2023.
This was the first time that box office collection surpassed Rs 12,000 crore, indicating a recovery in the Indian film industry, which had been battling a post-pandemic slump in business. Box office collections in 2022 were Rs 10,637 crore, just short of breaking the previous record set in 2019.
"One of the key drivers for the success of box office in 2023 is the industry’s ability to deliver event films that are a ‘theatre-worthy experience'—a must for the film to emerge as a theatrical success," said Ormax Media Head of Business Development (Theatrical) Sanket Kulkarni.
According to the report, cinema footfalls rose 6% in 2023 to 943 million, though it lagged the pre-pandemic high of 1.03 billion in 2019.
Kulkarni said footfalls have remained below pre-pandemic levels as audiences have turned selective in their theatrical choices because of post-pandemic inertia and the rise of video streaming platforms.
The average ticket price (ATP) increased by 9% over 2022, from Rs 119 to Rs 130, owing to a growth in box office contribution from Hindi cinema, which has a higher ATP compared to South-language films.
After a lacklustre performance in the post-pandemic phase, Hindi films had a record year in 2023, with gross box office collection of Rs 5,380 crore, crossing the Rs 5,000 crore mark for the first time.
According to the report, Hindi cinema's box office share hit a pre-pandemic high of 44%, from 33% in 2022. Tamil and Telugu cinemas maintained their 2022 share with a box office collection of Rs 2,265 crore and Rs 1,961 crore, respectively in 2023.
Meanwhile, the share of Hollywood movies fell by 3 percentage points in 2022 due to the absence of a Rs 200-crore grossing film, with overall collection at Rs 1,139 crore.
Kannada cinema shed its box office share by 5% points to finish the year at Rs 312 crore due to the absence of big-ticket films.
Box office collections are getting increasingly skewed in favour of big-ticket films, with the top 10 films contributing 40% of the total box office receipts of Rs 12,226 crore.
Kulkarni said audiences are more likely to watch a film in a theatre if there is a compelling reason to do so. He added that franchise films are gaining traction and engagement across languages, accounting for 45% of theatrical box office collection, up from 17% in 2019.
Over 1,000 films were released in 2023; however, only five films crossed the gross box office of Rs 500 crore.
Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan was the highest-grossing film of 2023, making Rs 734 crore, followed by Ranbir Kapoor's Animal (Rs 645 crore), Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan (Rs 636 crore), Sunny Deol's Gadar 2 (Rs 619 crore), and Prabhas' Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (Rs 512 crore).
Interestingly, the top four films of 2023 are all original Hindi-language films. In comparison, South Indian films dominated the top ten list in 2022, with KGF - Chapter 2, RRR and Kantara collecting Rs 970 crore, Rs 869 crore, and Rs 362 crore, respectively.
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, Rajnikanth's Jailer, and Vijay's Leo were the three South Indian films that grossed more than Rs 400 crore at the Indian box office in 2023.
Ormax noted it sourced the box office data from credible industry sources, including producers, distributors, exhibitors, and trade analysts.
I was unsure about my role in Gadar 2-Gaurav Chopra
8:04 AM
Amina Ashraf (BOMBAY TIMES; January 22, 2024)
Actor Gaurav Chopra, known for his roles in hits like Rana Naidu and Gadar 2, was in Lucknow and shared with us his long-standing love affair with the city of Nawabs. Chopra expressed, “My connection with Lucknow has been growing. Every visit, whether for work or leisure, has been special for three reasons - successful projects, accolades received and the cherished friendships formed.”
Talking about his last stint on the silver screen which was a successful one, Gaurav shares, “I was unsure about my role in Gadar 2 as the number of scenes were less. There are two ways of looking at this, either you don’t care about the number of scenes or consider how good the role is. But the truth is sometimes the industry still brackets you as somebody open to doing just character parts. The number of scenes being less suddenly didn’t matter when I heard the narration which gave me an entire visual of the film. My character was like another separate hero in the film who comes in the climax, saves everybody, and kills the villain. It was an independent character that had its heroic moments.”
‘Rana Naidu was the most difficult film’
Gaurav raised eyebrow for his bold scenes in the show Rana Naidu. “All my life, I’ve been a bit of a maverick and trying different roles. Rana Naidu is probably the most difficult part I’ve played so far and it’s not because of the bold scenes but there were multiple shades of the same character in the same scene. It required a different kind of tool set and I just sort of dug in deep and put myself in that situation,” he said.
Ask Gaurav, who has a three-year-old son, about fatherhood and he shares, “When you become a father, you become a better human being. When you have to emulate and teach another person, you want to be at your best for him to pick up. I think fatherhood gives you a superpower. My son lives separately, with his mother, so I have to keep going down to Bengaluru to see him. And sometimes I don’t get to see him as much as I would like to. But more than the love and the protection, I think fatherhood makes you a better human being and you want to be the best version of yourself.”
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