Showing posts with label Jawan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jawan. Show all posts
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
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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
Top 10 overseas grossers - Dhurandhar The Revenge sits between Pathaan, Jawan
9:13 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has emerged the second highest grossing Hindi film ever after PATHAAN as it collects $47 million plus and this includes Nepal as the general figures from the overseas distributors will not include this. The collections without Nepal are $46.375 million till date. The film has finished a little short of PATHAAN but with a Gulf release, it would have been way ahead. In terms of INR, it is the highest ever due to the ever weakening Rupee. It has a gross of 438 crore compared to the 396 crore of PATHAAN.
It would have become the first film to cross $50 million and maybe even $60 million. Its hard to judge how much Gulf would have done. JAWAN is best with $17.70 million and if we take that figure, it would be $65 million for DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE but its an unknown how much it would have done in Gulf. You can probably say $10 million was certain and $20 million was potential as the Muslim crowd may have been compensated by the South Indian crowd like its happened in UK but this is an unknown and will remain that way.
JAWAN would be in second place if we count the collections from the regional versions but that's going away from the Hindi film and in that way there are many films which got a Far East release which are ahead with Dangal on top at $233.80 million. The Far East countries may well be showing a Hindi subtitled or dubbed version but generally its not the same as the original Hindi film. In this way DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE is the eighth highest grossing film overseas.
The business of DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE easily puts that $50 million target up for grabs for the original film and there are a couple of big films later on this year which can target that figure.
The top ten grossers Overseas for original Hindi films are as follows.
1. Pathaan -$48,500,000
2. Dhurandhar The Revenge - $47,100,000
3. Jawan - $46,800,000
4. Dhrandhar - $32,00,0000
5. Dangal -$30,700,000
6. Padmaavat - $29,140,000
7. Bajrangi Bhaijaan - $28,640,000
8. Dhoom 3 - $28,330,000
9. Animal - $27,210,000
10. Dilwale - $26,580,000
Shah Rukh Khan is like a godfather to me-Anirudh Ravichander
4:41 PM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; April 17, 2026)
Composer Anirudh Ravichander has been a part of the south music industry for over a decade, but he entered the Hindi music space only recently. “I was always waiting for a banger debut in Hindi. Obviously, in the south, we’re doing a lot of films,” he says.
That moment arrived with Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan. “It’s always a dream for any musician to work with him. That’s something on our bucket list. And I was glad that it happened. My Bollywood debut could be nothing bigger than Sir’s film,” he says.
'I became a part of Shah Rukh Khan's family'
What followed was not just a successful collaboration but a relationship that continues to shape his journey in Hindi cinema. “The rapport that we built, and the kind of sessions that we had with respect to jamming, was really very special. And he took me into his fold. So, I became part of the family now. Sir’s been one of the kindest and sweetest people. And he’s almost a godfather to me here,” he shares.
Since then, Anirudh has also composed for Shah Rukh's son Aryan Khan’s directorial debut The Ba***ds Of Bollywood (TBOB) and is currently working on the actor's upcoming action film King.
'We want to celebrate King Khan'
With King already shaping up to be one of next year’s most anticipated releases, expectations around its music are naturally high — especially following the success of Jawan and The Ba***ds Of Bollywood.
Addressing the pressure, Anirudh clarifies, “Sir makes sure that you don’t feel that (pressure). We just want to celebrate him. We just want to make sure that he gets the best. Sid (Sidharth Anand, director) and him have worked a lot on the film because they took some time, right, to start the film. They worked a lot on the film to make sure that it’s a banger. So, with respect to the music as well, we are giving our best. So hopefully, whenever it’s out next year, it’s another memorable time in our life.”
'Ed Sheeran was just an idea'
Talking about King’s music, there has been speculation around international singer Ed Sheeran making his Bollywood debut with the album. Ask Anirudh about it, and he says, “That was just an idea. It hasn’t been executed yet, so we can’t say that it’s going to be out. That hasn’t been finally done where… it was an idea where we should do something like that, but it’s not been done yet. But it will happen. I think it should. Either that or something big is on the cards.”
Dhurandhar The Revenge first film to cross 10 million mark in Canada
2:21 PM
Box Office India Trade Network
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE smashed all records in Canada as it has collected almost $10.8 million till date which is a record by a distance and the first $10 million Indian film in the country. The film beat the record of DHURANDHAR by over $3 million and ANIMAL, by $3.7 million which are second and third best.
The market has grown by leaps and bound post the pandemic and is the fastest growing market for Hindi films in Overseas. There was a time 8-10 years back when $2 million was a big mark in Canada and here you have a film crossing $10 million. The share of Canada from the US/Canada market is 31% for DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE. This is roughly the average today though if the film has less of a gentry audience, then Canada can go up as USA has a bigger market for gentry films.
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has not beaten the BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION record in USA alone as that was $19.9 million and DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE will be $17.5 million. But BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION was only $275k in Canada while DHURANDHAR's sequel will be $7.9 million (USD) giving it $25.4 million total as compared to $20.175 million of BAAHUBALI 2.
Below are the all time top grossers in Canada. All figures are in CAD $.
1. Dhurandhar The Revenge - $10,800,000
2. Dhurandhar - $7,700,000
3. Animal - $7,103,000
4. Pathaan - $6,054,000
5. Jawan - $5,278,000
6. Pushpa 2 - The Rule - $4,218,000
7. Stree 2 - $4,213,000
8. Jatt & Juliet 3 - $3,860,000
9. Kalki 2898 AD - $3,623,000
10. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani - $3,281,000
Brands lawyer up before using movie characters in ads
10:43 AM
Character merchandising gains popularity as cos tap its marketing pull; legal firms say queries from key sectors are rising
Maulik Vyas & Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; March 31, 2026)
Companies are increasingly hiring law firms to help them handle the legal hurdles of using popular movie characters in advertising, as brands seek stronger associations with such figures to maintain recall and relevance in a crowded, distraction-heavy market, say legal experts.
Character merchandising is growing in popularity, as businesses recognize the commercial appeal of film characters and the need to incorporate them into marketing and promotional campaigns but are unsure about the legal implications.
Law firms say there is a steady rise in queries from clients, especially in the FMCG, telecommunications and consumer electronics sectors, about the legal aspects of character merchandising from popular films.
“They want to know about potential copyright and trademark violations. They also enquire about the necessity of obtaining explicit licences from film producers or rights holders, and the risk of litigation or reputational harm if they proceed without proper authorization,” said Priyanka Sinha, partner at law firm A&P Partners.
Lawyers and brand merchandising experts said companies are becoming more aware of the strong commercial appeal of movie characters and the benefits involved in integrating them into their advertising and promotional activities.
In recent years, movie and web series characters such as Vikram Rathore (Jawan), Vicky (Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video), Aasmaan Singh and Parvaiz (The Ba***ds Of Bollywood) have been commercially exploited. The latest is the character Jamil Jamali from Dhurandhar, used widely in brand promotions by companies such as India Post and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.
“We are aware of the widespread usage of characters from the Dhurandhar franchise. It reflects how strongly they have connected with audiences and entered the larger cultural conversation,” said a spokesperson from Jio Studios, producers of the Dhurandhar movie franchise. “While we deeply value this popularity, all associated rights remain with us. We approach such matters with due consideration,” the spokesperson for the media and content unit of Reliance Industries said.
“Character merchandising is an important issue. A film’s producer owns the exclusive rights of the film’s characters. Therefore, companies must obtain a licence to exploit movie characters commercially from producers,” said Rahul Chaudhry, managing partner of law firm Rahul Chaudhry & Partners. “If a company commercially exploits a film’s character without a licence, then the producer can legitimately contend it,” he explained.
Indian filmmakers do not fully realize the commercial potential of movie characters that have become popular and a part of public discourse, said brand merchandising experts.
“The biggest difference between the West and India is that, in India, merchandising and licensing is a part of marketing rather than a revenue stream,” said Navin Shah, joint managing director at EMC Solutions Worldwide, a company in branded entertainment.
“Also, we don't make too many character-based films. In fact, merchandising and licensing in our film industry is largely an afterthought,” he added.
According to brand merchandising experts, merchandising and licensing contribute 20-25% to total film revenues in Hollywood.
In India, the share is less than 1%. At present, merchandising and licensing can contribute 10% to the total film segment revenues of Rs 20,000 crore, which can go up to 25% in the next five years, said Shah.
Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan think from a larger perspective of the audience-Abhiraj Minawala
10:04 AM
‘Mardaani 3’ director Abhiraj Minawala says Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan’s ability to think from the viewers’ perspective is the secret to their long success
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; February 22, 2026)
There’s something about the 1990s superstars that not only makes them relevant but also sees them at the top of their game today. Director Abhiraj Minawala may have an idea or two about it. After all, he worked closely with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan on Jawan (2023) and Tiger 3 (2023) respectively, while his latest directorial venture Mardaani 3 enabled him to collaborate with Rani Mukerji.
He found one striking similarity between the two Khans’ approach to work. He shared, “Their passion and dedication [are unmatched]. Their conversations are ‘Yeh karte hain, audience ko maza aayega!’ The thought is not that we should do this, but that the audience will love it. One thing common between them is that they think from a larger perspective of the audience. [It probably stems from] the fact that they started their journey as an audience, and then ended up here.”
The director is equally in awe of Mukerji, who has completed 30 years in the industry. Having worked with her on Mardaani 3, Minawala walked away with keen observations about her. “She has achieved a lot, but I’ve seen that she still comes on set with the openness that she is here to perform. She is willing to learn things and collaborate with the team.”
Shah Rukh Khan called and said, ‘Beta kya kar raha hai? Chal, aaja’-Abhiraj Minawala
9:00 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; February 17, 2026)
For 17 years, Yash Raj Films (YRF) has been home to Abhiraj Minawala, who worked as an assistant director on its several productions. It’s not surprising then that YRF head honcho Aditya Chopra gave him the duty of helming Mardaani 3, led by Rani Mukerji.
Minawala tells mid-day, “Among the many ideas we discussed, one dealt with the emotions of a parent and a child [against the backdrop of] human trafficking. As soon as I read the script of Mardaani 3, as a father, I was scared. So, the decision of taking this up was more important to me as a father than a filmmaker.”
Minawala may have made his directorial debut with Loveyatri (2019) outside the YRF fold, but his equation with Chopra has always been of faith. So much so that the producer recommended him to Shah Rukh Khan for a few sequences of Jawan (2023).
“I ended up working on two-three small sequences in Jawan. Shah Rukh sir is so sweet. He just called and said, ‘Beta kya kar raha hai? Chal, aaja.’ That’s it,” he recalls.
Top 10 films in Mysore circuit: Dhurandhar beats Jawan by a huge margin
10:18 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
DHURANDHAR has smashed records in Mysore by crazy margins as the film stands at around 69 crore nett which is 20 crore nett more than JAWAN, the previous record holder. JAWAN itself set a record by a considerable margin. Not only that, the film will be beating all the the local Kannada films released in 2025 apart from two of them and here its Mysore for us and Karnataka for them which includes all of the state while for us, some of the state goes into Mumbai circuit.
The circuit has shown immense growth post pandemic and this is reflected by the fact that a film like FIGHTER gets 20 crore nett in the circuit and stands just outside the top ten which is more than films like SANJU and SULTAN from before the pandemic. Actors like Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan are stronger in this circuit and this could be another reason why FIGHTER did well here also but no doubt the circuit has grown.
If we count all films including the South ones, then this Mysore collection will be just outside the top ten but if we add the numbers of North Karnataka, which is in Mumbai circuit, then the film will be among the top ten grossing films in the state. Now with the second part this figure could go even higher and if the does three times DANGAL, its pretty much unthinkable as that film was considered insane in the circuit pre pandemic and now here is a film which may do three times the business.
The top ten grossers in Mysore are as follows.
1. Dhurandhar - 69,00,00,000 apprx
2. Jawan - 48,24,00,000
3. Animal - 36,69,00,000
4. Pathaan - 35,77,00,000
5. Stree 2 - 33,08,00,000
6. Chhaava - 31,00,00,000
7. Dangal - 27,81,00,000
8. Uri - 25,00,00,000
9. Padmaavat - 23,87,00,000
10. PK - 23,85,50,000
Winning a National Award for a song starring Shah Rukh Khan is a beautiful feeling-Shilpa Rao
8:55 AM
Kanksha Vasavada (BOMBAY TIMES; October 18, 2025)
For Shilpa Rao, this year’s Diwali feels extra special, as she won the National Award (Best Female Playback Singer) for Chaleya (Jawan) at the 71st National Film Awards. She says, “I am glad that I will be at home this Diwali and get to celebrate with my family and friends. We will gorge on festive food and spend time together, which we don’t get to do often due to my hectic schedules.”
The singer, who was in Ahmedabad recently for an event, talks about celebrating Diwali in an environmentally friendly manner, life after winning the National Award, and more.
'Diwali should be celebrated without harming the environment’
Shilpa believes in celebrating the festival “without causing harm to the environment and people around us.” She shares, “Diwali is a festival of lights and happiness. We should celebrate it consciously, without harming the environment through pollution and smoke, which adversely impacts babies and people having breathing issues. Also, in many parts of north India, winter settles in during this time, so the smog is very harmful for everyone. We should celebrate the festival with better practices, and without harming anything.”
‘The National Award is for everyone who’s been part of my journey’
Shilpa, who has sung blockbusters like Khuda Jaane, Ghungroo and Besharam Rang, shares, “This National Award is not just my award; it is for everyone who has been part of my journey for years. It feels special because it reflects the mutual appreciation from the jury, audience, critics and the fraternity for me and the song.”
Does she feel the pressure of expectations after this win? She says, “Hard work will always be non-negotiable for me, and I will never take things for granted. My approach will remain the same — making every song different while being myself. I am also looking for songs that challenge me and make me leave my comfort zone. I want to do something I have never done before. Nothing changes when it comes to my efforts, hard work and approach for my upcoming songs.”
She adds, "All my songs featuring Shah Rukh Khan have gained immense popularity, and winning a National Award for a song starring him is a beautiful feeling. He has always been appreciative of everyone and is a true team player. He is always an inspiration."
71st National Awards: Mohanlal’s ‘magical moment’, Shah Rukh Khan shares his first with Vikrant Massey
9:58 AM
Rani Dedicates Honour To Mothers At 71st Nat’l Film Awards
THE TIMES OF INDIA (September 24, 2025)
New Delhi: It was a night of star power and cinematic pride at Vigyan Bhawan on Tuesday as President Droupadi Murmu honoured stalwarts of Indian cinema at the 71st National Film Awards.
The spotlight, however, belonged to Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, while Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji and Vikrant Massey walked away with top honours in acting categories.
Mohanlal, already decorated with the Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2019), was visibly moved as he accepted Indian cinema’s highest recognition. “I am deeply humbled to be the youngest recipient and only the second ever from Kerala. This moment is not mine alone, it belongs to the entire Malayalam film fraternity,” he said. Sharing the honour with colleagues, he added: “I never dared to dream of this moment. It feels magical, it feels sacred.”
President Murmu presented the award to Mohanlal amid a thunderous standing ovation. Fellow superstar Mammootty called him “a true artist who has lived and breathed cinema,” while Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him as someone who “epitomizes excellence and versatility.”
In perhaps the most Bollywood-dominated edition of the awards, Shah Rukh Khan won his first National Award for Best Actor in over two decades for his blockbuster ‘Jawan’. “This award is a blessing. ‘Jawan’ was a film made from the heart, and I dedicate this to every fan who has stood by me through the years,” Shah Rukh said.
Actor Vikrant Massey, who shared the Best Actor award with Shah Rukh for ‘12th Fail’, credited director Vidhu Vinod Chopra for his journey. Rani Mukerji was honoured as Best Actress for ‘Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway’. “This film was about the power of a mother’s fight. This recognition belongs to every woman who has faced injustice and refused to give up,” Rani told mediapersons.
The Evening reflected cinema’s diversity: ‘Kathal—A Jackfruit Mystery’ was named Best Hindi Film, Sudipto Sen won Best Director for ‘The Kerala Story’, while Shilpa Rao took home Best Female Playback Singer for Chaleya from ‘Jawan’.
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
Manoj Bajpayee on losing National Award to Shah Rukh Khan: "It’s a useless conversation"
8:33 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (September 16, 2025)
Actor Shah Rukh Khan’s win at the National Film Awards for Best Actor for his performance in Jawan (2023) has stirred both jubilation and debate. While fans of the actor have flooded social media with congratulatory messages, a section of critics and cinephiles questioned the jury’s decision, some arguing that actor Manoj Bajpayee’s intense portrayal in Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (2023), among others, was more deserving of the honour.
Breaking his silence on the comparisons, Manoj dismissed the backlash surrounding the award decision. While speaking to India Today, the 56-year-old said, “It is a useless conversation because it is gone. When it comes to Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, yes, it is a very special film in my filmography, and so was Joram (2023). But I don’t discuss these things because it is a very loser conversation. It is in the past, and it should be left alone.”
Manoj, a four-time National Award winner, has also raised concerns about the evolving nature of film awards in India. He suggested that many awards, including the National Awards which are awarded by the government, may be losing their artistic credibility in favour of commercial appeal.
He said, “It’s not just about National Awards, it’s about all the awards that used to be revered. They should seriously think about how they are operating. Because it is not about my respect, I take care of my respect very cautiously when I’m choosing a film, but each and every organization has to think of itself. That’s not my job.”
He added, “I think for me, the idea of an award show is wrong. It is just a piece of decoration in your house. Every day, you’re not going to stand in front of it and say, ‘Wow, I got this’.”
Internet divided over Shah Rukh Khan's National Award win for Jawan
8:54 AM
National Film Awards leaves internet divided as Shah Rukh Khan wins his first Best Actor nod for Jawan alongside Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail; ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ writer hopes Best Dialogue win will boost social dramas
Priyanka Sharma, Komal RJ Panchal (MID-DAY; August 2, 2025)
The 71st National Film Awards couldn’t have gotten starrier than this. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan won his first National Award in his 33-year career for his double role in Jawan (2023). The actor shared the honour with Vikrant Massey, who won it for 12th Fail (2023). Bollywood entertainers seemed to dominate the awards as Rani Mukerji took home the Best Actress award for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway (2023).
On the one hand, Khan’s fans saw the win as overdue, considering his restrained act in Swades (2004) was overlooked by the National Film Awards jury 20 years ago. On the other hand, some social media users called the Jawan win “laughable” and “a joke”.
The Best Director award went to Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story (2023) — a win that will presumably be debated over the next few days. The movie, which centred on the alleged coerced religious conversion of Malayali women, was widely criticized. An elated Sen called the win “validating”.
He told mid-day, “I would’ve been even happier if the film had also taken the top honour, but this recognition validates everything we set out to express through The Kerala Story.”
With Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani winning the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, co-writer Ishita Moitra told mid-day, “It’s Karan Johar’s [filmmaker] hard work and love that shines in this film.”
The film also won Vaibhavi Merchant the Best Choreography award. She learnt about the win when we called her. “This is overwhelming. You’ve broken the news to me,” said a surprised Merchant.
Deepak Kingrani, who bagged the Best Dialogue award for Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, said, “This win is important as [it gives us] courage to write and producers to pump money in such films.”
First National film honours for Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Vikrant Massey
8:38 AM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (August 2, 2025)
New Delhi: Hindi cinema dominated the 71st National Film Awards on Friday with superstar Shah Rukh Khan winning his career’s first best actor award for ‘Jawan’ alongside Vikrant Massey for ‘12th Fail’, which was also named the best feature film.
Rani Mukerji won the best actress honour for ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’, her first award. The awards for 2023 were announced by jury head Ashutosh Gowariker. He said Shah Rukh had delivered a “powerhouse performance, balancing raw intensity and emotional depth, and bringing to life a hero who fights not just the enemy, but societal boundaries, creating two unforgettable cinema personas”.
Sudipto Sen won the best director award for ‘The Kerala Story’, which also got the cinematography prize. It had sparked a row for its portrayal of women being converted and recruited by ISIS. ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ was the best popular film .
Rani Mukerji, who has clinched the National award for best actress, said, “I’m overwhelmed. For me, this award is also a validation of my 30-year body of work, my dedication to my craft with which I feel a deeply spiritual connection and my passion for cinema and this beautiful film industry.”
‘Jawan’, which minted over Rs 1,100 crore at box office worldwide, was a highoctane thriller from filmmaker Atlee and featured SRK in the dual role of Army officer Vikram Rathore and his jailor son Azad.
The jury praised Massey’s performance as one that portrayed the transformative journey of a village boy with “raw honesty and emotional depth”. In a statement, Massey (38), said it was a dream come true moment for him.
Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Sam Bahadur’ was recognized as the best film promoting national, social and environmental values and won the award in the make-up & costume category.
Vaibhavi Merchant won the best choreography award for ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ song ‘Dhindhora Baaje’, while Shilpa Rao was named best female playback singer for ‘Jawan’ track ‘Chaleya’. Sanya Malhotra-starrer ‘Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery’ was named the best Hindi film.
While Hindi cinema ruled in the main categories, regional movies were recognized in categories such as best supporting actor as well as actress and in technical segments.
Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comic) went to Telugu film ‘Hanu-Man’, which also won the best action direction award. The National Award for best screenplay was shared between Telugu movie ‘Baby’ and ‘Parking’.
Filmmaker Ashish Bende won the best debut film by a director for Aatmapamphlet, a coming-of-age drama that resonated with audiences and the jury alike.
Overwhelmed by the recognition, Bende said, “Getting a national award was always a dream for me, but I did not know that my dream would be realized in my directorial debut. Though it is an award for direction, I feel that it is not a solo award but an award for the entire team of Aatmapamphlet. The film was made during Covid-19 pandemic with a lot of effort, and today all those efforts have paid off.”
Bende will receive the Swarna Kamal for this award.
He added, “The Marathi film industry has along legacy of quality films, and today I feel proud that I am part of this rich tradition. The award will personally encourage me to keep doing quality work.”
A monologue should either come organically, or not at all, say writers
7:57 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; April 18, 2025)
Whether it’s Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic sattar minute pep talk in Chak De India or Amitabh Bachchan’s impactful No means no in Pink, monologues have long been the showstoppers of cinema – that make you sit up, cheer, or rewind just one more time. These intense, emotional moments often explode across social media, becoming fodder for memes and giving rise to trends. But as much as these monologues can elevate a film to cult status, writers caution that forced monologues can do more harm than make an impact in a film.
WHEN SHOULD A MONOLOGUE COME IN THE FILM
“When a writer includes a monologue, it needs to convey something truly important. In cinema, a lot can be expressed through the visuals, and people prefer an economy of words,” says Sneha Desai, writer of Laapataa Ladies. Other writers suggest using them at moments when the audience is engaged.
Shibani Bathija explains, “There’s no action, it’s just delivering lines. So, the use has to be special and placed at the most dramatic point, where you want the audience to truly listen to what the character has to say.”
Sumit Arora, who wrote the dialogues for Jawan, says, “A monologue should either come organically or not at all. It shouldn’t feel forced, and it shouldn’t seem out of place in a film – because if it doesn’t belong, it will do more harm.”
‘A well-written monologue can have a life beyond the film’
Sumit says he tries to find moments in films where a character can say something powerful. He explains, “When a character speaks their feelings out loud, if the monologue is well-written, it can be hard-hitting. It can impact people. A character talking about their emotions can always have a life beyond the film. Whether it’s in the Chak De! India or Jawan monologue, it can find life outside the film.”
‘You want people to be intrigued and pay attention’
Writers say that the best kind of monologues are those that give the audience insight into that drama. Shibani Bathija, who has written films such as Fanaa, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and My Name Is Khan, shares, “You want people to be intrigued and pay attention. For instance, in Fanaa, understanding what country means to the protagonist (Kajol) was crucial. Without the monologue, we wouldn’t be able to establish that sense of patriotism, which is essential to the film.”
One of the two key monologues in My Name Is Khan is when SRK’s character talks about his son, allowing him to express his emotions without explicitly saying, ‘I miss him.’ “That’s how the audience gets a deep insight into SRK’s relationship with the boy,” says Shibani, adding, “The dramatic situation and what the audience learns about the character needs to come together in a monologue.”
What makes a monologue memorable
- Organic sense of timing
- A monologue should not go on and on; otherwise, the audience gets bored
- The honesty of the monologue is important – the explanation given should be worth the screen time
- The dramatic situation and what the audience learns about the character should come together in the monologue
Indian films big on style, find bigger global connect
10:04 AM
Overseas mop-up rises 30% between 2022 & 2024; ‘universal’ content, availability on streaming platforms enhance appeal
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; March 31, 2025)
Mumbai: Indian films are showing higher growth in collections abroad than at home, with overseas box-office mop-up surging nearly 30% to $323 million ('2,760.6 crore) between 2022 and 2024, even as domestic growth crawled at 7.2%, according to the FICCI-EY Media and Entertainment 2025 report.
Between 2022 and 2024, domestic box-office revenue for Indian films increased a modest 7.2% to Rs. 11,800 crore, it said.
"Recently, Indian films have been telling stories which have universal emotions and global appeal. These films score well on the parameter of visual presentation of stories. Consequently, Indian films have been crossing language and geographical barriers," said Adi Tiwary, creative director and partner, Stuart Entertainment, an Australia-based boutique distributor and producer specialising in global content licensing, production and strategic partnerships.
Indian films such as 'Pushpa 2 – The Rule' (2024), 'Kalki 2898 AD' (2024), 'Pathaan' (2023), 'Jawan' (2023), 'Animal' (2023), 'Leo' (2023), 'Jailer' (2023), 'KGF - Chapter 2' (2022) and 'RRR' (2022) collected Rs. 200-500 crore each in overseas markets.
Experts said these films connected with people around the world because they use some of the same styles and techniques seen in popular Hollywood movies, and they discuss ideas and feelings that people of different ages can relate to.
For instance, 'Kalki 2898 AD' is fast-paced and uses several languages. Its style is similar to Marvel superhero movies and action films like 'Mad Max: Fury Road'. On the other hand, 'RRR' appealed to many international viewers by telling a story that felt deeply Indian and rooted in its culture.
The mix of global style and Indian storytelling has played a big role in the success of these movies overseas. It's also helped attract more non-Indian audiences to Indian films, according to industry executives and experts.
Rajat Agrawal, COO, Ultra Media & Entertainment Group, said, "Indian films have been gaining popularity even among non-Indians in overseas markets. Given the universal themes of love, family and friendship in Indian films, they have resonated with non-Indian audiences."
Producer and film business expert Girish Johar concurred, saying, "Apart from stories, Indian films are finding patronage even among non-Indian audiences because of the improved scale and quality of filmmaking."
Another factor aiding the acceptance of Indian films in overseas markets is their easy availability on global streaming platforms.
Ameya Naik, producer and founder of Fantasy Films, said, "Global streamers have played a key role in familiarizing Indian content to overseas audiences. Better subtitles and superior dubbing of Indian films on these global streamers have removed language barriers and provided overseas audiences anytime access to Indian films."
In addition to global streamers, growing online distribution, social media discussions, targeted marketing and prestigious awards at international film festivals have piqued overseas audiences' interest in Indian films. In addition, following the Covid-19 pandemic, Indian films rose to prominence as a result of the lull in Hollywood productions caused by the writers' strike.
In the overseas markets, the success of Indian films relies more on the Indian diaspora settled abroad. But there is demand for Indian films from audiences in non-traditional markets such as the Gulf (the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar), North America (the US and Canada), the UK and Europe (Germany, France and the Netherlands) and Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia). Despite such a wide overseas market, industry experts believe revenue from the Chinese markets will make a material difference to Indian films' collection given its size.
A testimony to this is the success of the Tamil film 'Maharaja' in China. Of its total worldwide collection of over Rs. 200 crore, it collected Rs. 91.6 crore from China alone, showing the potential of that market.
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.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 859
7:45 PM
WILL PUSHPA 2 – THE RULE CROSS JAWAN’S DAY 1 COLLECTIONS AND RS. 600 CRORE MARK?
Pushpa 2 – The Rule will be released tomorrow, that is, in less than 24 hours and the excitement is unprecedented. The first part, Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01, was released without much awareness. Yet, it managed to take a decent opening of Rs. 3.30 crores, despite the clash with the mighty Spider-Man: No Way Home. Soon, the word spread and the film became a sleeper super hit in Hindi, collecting nearly Rs. 110 crores. It continued to remain popular on TV and digital and hence, the excitement was tremendous for Pushpa 2 – The Rule from the very start.
Pushpa 2 – The Rule, like the first part, stars Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil. The film went on floors in 2022 and was originally scheduled to be released in April 2024. It was then pushed to Independence Day and finally, it arrives now on December 5. The promotions are on for a long time. Even one of the songs was released many months ago and it helped the film be in the limelight. However, what ultimately has worked big time for the film is the insane fan following of the first part. This was visible when Pushpa 2 – The Rule’s trailer launch was held in Patna, Bihar. Lakhs of people attended the event to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun and it made it clear that there’s a historic craze for the sequel.
Pushpa 2 – The Rule’s advance booking began on November 30 and as expected, the tickets started getting sold like hot cakes. An opening of Rs. 50 crores plus is definitely happening. It’s just a question of where it ultimately lands. The biggest opener in Hindi is Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan which collected Rs. 63.87 crores on its release day. Pushpa 2 – The Rule has all the chances of crossing this figure. Some even feel that it can put up a number of Rs. 70 crores!
However, a few challenges remain. Pushpa 2 – The Rule is 200 minutes long. Hence, theatres have not been able to allot as many shows as they did to Pathaan and Jawan. Secondly, the rates are very high this time and it has put off a section of the audience. They are dying to see the film but are not dying to spend a bomb on the tickets. Lastly, it releases on a Thursday, a working day. In other words, it’s a non-holiday release and not everyone can skip school, college or office to watch the film. They’ll watch it over the weekend and this can affect day 1 numbers slightly.
Nevertheless, Pushpa 2 – The Rule is set not just for a huge opening but also for a huge weekend. It also has the chance of being the first film in Hindi to enter the Rs. 600 crore club. A decent word of mouth will be more than enough for it to do so.
Pushpa 2 – The Rule will be released tomorrow, that is, in less than 24 hours and the excitement is unprecedented. The first part, Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01, was released without much awareness. Yet, it managed to take a decent opening of Rs. 3.30 crores, despite the clash with the mighty Spider-Man: No Way Home. Soon, the word spread and the film became a sleeper super hit in Hindi, collecting nearly Rs. 110 crores. It continued to remain popular on TV and digital and hence, the excitement was tremendous for Pushpa 2 – The Rule from the very start.
Pushpa 2 – The Rule, like the first part, stars Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil. The film went on floors in 2022 and was originally scheduled to be released in April 2024. It was then pushed to Independence Day and finally, it arrives now on December 5. The promotions are on for a long time. Even one of the songs was released many months ago and it helped the film be in the limelight. However, what ultimately has worked big time for the film is the insane fan following of the first part. This was visible when Pushpa 2 – The Rule’s trailer launch was held in Patna, Bihar. Lakhs of people attended the event to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun and it made it clear that there’s a historic craze for the sequel.
Pushpa 2 – The Rule’s advance booking began on November 30 and as expected, the tickets started getting sold like hot cakes. An opening of Rs. 50 crores plus is definitely happening. It’s just a question of where it ultimately lands. The biggest opener in Hindi is Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan which collected Rs. 63.87 crores on its release day. Pushpa 2 – The Rule has all the chances of crossing this figure. Some even feel that it can put up a number of Rs. 70 crores!
However, a few challenges remain. Pushpa 2 – The Rule is 200 minutes long. Hence, theatres have not been able to allot as many shows as they did to Pathaan and Jawan. Secondly, the rates are very high this time and it has put off a section of the audience. They are dying to see the film but are not dying to spend a bomb on the tickets. Lastly, it releases on a Thursday, a working day. In other words, it’s a non-holiday release and not everyone can skip school, college or office to watch the film. They’ll watch it over the weekend and this can affect day 1 numbers slightly.
Nevertheless, Pushpa 2 – The Rule is set not just for a huge opening but also for a huge weekend. It also has the chance of being the first film in Hindi to enter the Rs. 600 crore club. A decent word of mouth will be more than enough for it to do so.
We shouldn’t be apologetic about making franchises-Arjun Kapoor
8:09 AM
Singham Again star Arjun Kapoor on how franchises are a safety net for actors who also wish to explore original stories
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; December 4, 2024)
What do Stree 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again have in common besides their box-office success? They are all instalments of different franchises. So, it won’t be wrong to say that franchises are the biggest success story of 2024. To Arjun Kapoor, who added a franchise film to his résumé with Singham Again, they are a safety net in current times. “Today, the theatrical business is not assured. Franchises bring a safety net [because] there is a [dedicated] audience,” he reasons.
Detractors have a common grouse against franchises—that they support formulaic storytelling, relying on an established universe. But Kapoor views it differently. To him, they offer an actor the freedom to pursue original storytelling in other projects without worrying about box-office returns. “You can create an ecosystem that allows you to make choices where you can do interesting stuff,” he points out. He also believes the industry should celebrate the art.
“The audience is enjoying franchises and we must service that. It’s not easy to make a hit franchise; there are enough that haven’t done well. We shouldn’t be apologetic about making them. We should be excited about our audience being open to them. At the same time, we must cultivate the new-age mainstream cinema audience,” he urges.
Even as more franchise films are in the pipeline, from Pushpa 2 - The Rule to Drishyam 3, Kapoor insists they haven’t replaced standalone movies. A prime example—Jawan (2023). “Franchises are keeping the churn going. At some point, the [audience] might get fatigued. Original movies also work. Last year, we had Jawan and Animal [2023].”
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