It goes without saying that 2020 was an awful year for the entire humankind and that includes the cinema world, too, which saw disastrous box-office business in a year that was all about shutdowns, lockdowns and stay-at-home.

To put things in perspective, as per industry estimates, the Hindi film industry’s total earnings in 2020 (from India) is just around ₹780-800 crore. Last year, the figure was a whopping ₹4,350 crore. In 2018, it was around ₹3,300 crore and 2017 saw the industry make ₹3,000 crore.

“I would want to forget 2020 as it was a nightmare in every possible manner. From trade point of view, there’s no shining highlight except maybe Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior. The entire world, including movies, came to a standstill. It will still take some time before things get back to normal again,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Among the very few money-spinners of 2020 are Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (₹279.50 crore), Baaghi 3 (₹97 crore), Street Dancer 3D (₹75 crore), Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (₹62.50 crore) and Malang (₹59 crore). “The first quarter started on a great note but since then, there have been too many downs than ups,” says exhibitor-distribitor Akshaye Rathi.

Now, insiders hope that 2021 will “make up for all the losses in some way”. While the first quarter will see biggies like ‘83 and Sooryavanshi among others, next year has a number of biggies, including the ones that shifted from 2020 such as Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai and Laal Singh Chaddha etc., lined up to hit the silver-screen.

“The next financial year looks terrific with pent-up demand, pent-up content and a vaccine rollout around the same time,” says Rathi, even as Adarsh hopes that “2021 kicks off things on a blockbuster note.”

On September 30, The Ministry of Home Affairs announced new unlock provisions whereby movie theatres outside the containment zones are allowed to reopen from October 16 with 50 per cent occupancy. While theatres in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and some other states continue to remain shut, exhibitors across the rest of the country are ready to resume business. Ananya Panday and Ishaan Khatter’s Khaali Peeli, and Vivek Oberoi’s PM Narendra Modi were the first films to be announced, now a few other films, including Thappad, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, Malang, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (SMZS) and War, have joined the list of reruns.

Thappad director Anubhav Sinha believes that his film, which opened on February 28 this year, had its run cut short by the Coronavirus-triggered pandemic. “We got only two weeks in theatres despite doing around 80 per cent business of the first week in the second which is a fair indicator that the film would’ve run for roughly six more weeks. It’s heartening that eight months after its initial release, it still has promise at the box office,” he says.

Meena Iyer, CEO, Ajay Devgn Ffilms, is happy to contribute to the resurgence of the business with Tanhaji. “The film had an amazing run, but if exhibitors feel that it can attract more footfalls, we’re happy to help. The further it travels, the happier we are,” she asserts.

For SMZS director Hitesh Kewalya, reruns are not for box office glory. “We got a good three-week run during the initial release and the film has a social message that is still relevant. Right now, the aim is to just gauge the audience and accustom them to community-viewing,” he reasons.

Bhushan Kumar, producer of four films up for re-release—Malang, Thappad, Tanhaji and SMZS—agrees that reruns are a way to learn the audience’s needs. “Reopening of theatres is good news for the industry. All four of our films have been successful during initial release. This time they’ll help us gauge audiences’ concerns and plan future releases accordingly,” he shares, adding that, not just theatre owners but also the audience need to strictly follow guidelines.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh believes that these are just baby steps towards bringing the audience back to theatres. “It’s time to press the reset button. No one is looking at box office figures right now, it’s just about cultivating the habit of going back to cinema. The returns will be very low initially,” he avers, adding that the priority is to provide livelihood to people who’ve been out of business for the last seven months. “Over the years, cinema has faced a lot of roadblocks, but it has always survived and this too shall pass,” he concludes.

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BOMBAY TIMES (August 8, 2020)

Elli AvrRam is extremely happy with the appreciation that she has received for her performance as Jessie in Mohit Suri’s Malang, which released in February this year. She feels that the film has given her a new lease of life at the movies and she’s now being considered for some very good projects.

The actress also thinks that the film has helped create a different perception of her in the movie business. Elli says, “I think it has definitely got me a lot of respect. I am being offered some terrific films, which wasn’t the case before. I am thrilled that the audience is recognising my work and talent.” She further adds, “Since the release of Malang on an OTT platform, I have been getting messages from people, who didn’t get to watch it in the theatres.”

After Malang, Elli will be seen in a powerful, author-backed role in the series, 7th Sense. Speaking about it, she shares, “I am very excited about this role. The audiences will get to see me playing a very different character in the series. Since it’s a murder mystery, I can’t reveal more than this, but it’s a meaty role and a super cool script.” The shooting of the thriller, which also features a talented cast including R Madhavan and Prateik Babbar, among others, begins this month.

Apart from 7th Sense, the actress has also signed other interesting projects. “I am looking forward to my next two movies — one is a family comedy, and the other is a sweet, but different love story. Along with these films, I am also in talks for another strong, female-oriented movie,” she signs off.

As the first half of 2020 is set to end on a disappointing note for the film exhibition sector, we take a look at how grim the situation is
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 14, 2020)

The first half of 2020 can surely be termed ‘highly disappointing’ on all counts, and the movie business is no different. The industry’s net collections in this half has been around ₹780 crore with hits such as Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (almost ₹280 crore) and Baaghi 3 (₹97 crore) and average ones such as Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (close to ₹63 crore) and Malang (₹60 crore).

In comparison, 2019’s first half saw Bollywood make a whopping ₹2,400 crore, buoyed by hits like Uri: The Surgical Strike, Bharat, Gully Boy, Kabir Singh, Kesari, Total Dhamaal and De De Pyaar De. This was 10% higher than the first half of 2018 which saw collections of ₹2,200 crore.

“It has been nothing less than a disaster. The movie business did extremely well in 2018 as well as 2019, so the expectation was of a fantastic first half. But everyone knows what has transpired,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh, adding, “Also, don’t forget that we have lost out on a lucrative summer vacation period due to the pandemic, so the film business is in real doldrums.”

While only a handful of films managed to release before the Coronavirus lockdown forced theatres to shut, except a few successes, the first half saw big disappointments such as Street Dancer 3D, Love Aaj Kal and Chhapaak. “Apart from Tanhaji and the above-average Baaghi 3, nothing did well in the first quarter [of 2020] as well. I feel the business in that period also could have been a little better,” says trade expert Komal Nahta, who puts losses for the industry in the last two-and-a-half to three months, including the exhibition sector, at ₹3,000 crore.

Interestingly, last year’s first half also saw Hollywood hits such as Avengers: Endgame (₹373 crore) and Captain Marvel (₹85 crore). “It would be unfair to look at the ‘first half’ of the year because the second quarter doesn’t even exist as the theatres have been shut. It’s been extremely bad. Thankfully, however, things are getting back to normal and people would want to go out and experience movies too,” says exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi.

Although there are indications that cinema halls may get permissions to reopen around mid-July, experts are concerned. “What will theatres run when the government gives the green signal? Almost 12-14 films, including the ones already announced, would have gone to OTT platforms. So, where will the new content come from?” says Nahta.

However, Rathi remains optimistic. “Mark my words, the exhibition sector will rise like a tsunami wave,” he adds.
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CHRISTOPHER NOLAN MOVES DATE AHEAD!

Filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s date with the box office for his much-talked-about Tenet has moved to July 31, from July 17. But experts continue to be gung-ho about the Hollywood master’s next, saying such a film could be the one to draw people back to theatres. As Akshaye Rathi puts it: “Whenever we reopen, we really need quality, big-screen films such as Tenet from Hollywood, and Sooryavanshi/’83 from Bollywood to get people back in theatres. There has to be some magnetic appeal in them.”

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 25, 2020)

“I have to remind myself that I am 37 now as one doesn’t feel any different,” quips Kunal Kemmu, who turns a year older today. He admits that birthday in quarantine won’t be any different as he doesn’t really “celebrate birthdays”. “Usually, I prefer to work on my birthdays and end the day with a meal with family. Birthdays were exciting till when I was about 15, when potato chips were highlights (laughs),” he adds.

At home with wife-actor Soha Ali Khan and daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, the Malang actor says he feels blessed and shares that anxiety and stress are common in these times and one should open up to someone. “It is very important to be in a good place mentally. When you feel anxious or stressed, the best solution is to talk about it. Reach out to friends and family and talk about whatever is bothering you. We all have been keeping a timetable of waking up and sleeping on time and Inaaya has kept us quite positive and energetic. We have all learnt to slow down a bit. These are testing times and we have to fight through it,” says the actor, who was shooting for the second season of his web show, Abhay when the Coronavirus lockdown started.

Kemmu is currently enjoying the appreciation coming his way for his performance in Malang, that released on an OTT recently. “It is like a second wave and I have heard from people from all over the world. That’s the beauty of cinema that it touches so many people. And Malang has been a fulfilling experience for me,” he shares.

Weighing in on the debate of celebs posting videos of cooking or workouts, he says that “it is about having fun and entertaining someone but to each his own. I don’t post that regularly and I don’t feel pressure”.

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; May 9, 2020)

Disha Patani and Aditya Roy Kapur’s sizzling onscreen chemistry in the romantic thriller, Malang, had become a talking point. And, it looks like the on-screen couple will get to recreate it in Mohit Suri’s Ek Villain 2 as well. Though they shared screen space for the first time in Malang, few people know that they go back a long way.

In fact, their camaraderie made the shoot of Malang a fun experience for both actors. Disha, who works out and dances religiously and even does gymnastics to stay fit, says that she once defeated Aditya in a game of basketball. She recalls, “I knew Aditya even before we worked together. We used to go to the same gym and have even played basketball together. In fact, I had even defeated him in a game of basketball. Since I knew him well, there was no awkwardness while shooting for Malang.”

The Bharat actress feels that they also share some personality traits. “I believe he is also a bit anti-social, like me (laughs!). So, we relate to each other as we both are introverts.”

Like Disha, Aditya, too, is at ease working with her. During an earlier interaction, he had told BT, “We are very comfortable in each other’s company. Hence, our onscreen chemistry looks natural.”

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 8, 2020)

With video calling the order of the day, team Malang has found a way to stay connected. While Aditya Roy Kapur and director Mohit Suri regularly discuss their next, Do Villain, virtually, the rest of the team can only look forward to the end of the lockdown so they can party together again. For now, there’s a Whatsapp group to revisit inside jokes and anecdotes from the sets.

On Wednesday, Disha Patani had a “quarantine reunion” with her “favourite boys”, Anil Kapoor, Kunal Kemmu and Aditya. According to a source, the conversation revolved mostly around fitness since all four of them are high on the ‘F’ factor these days and they revealed how they are keeping themselves busy. “Positive vibes only,” Disha insisted and AK boomed in his best Gabbar imitation, “Yeh haath mujhe de de Thakur.”

The actress retorted, “Aisa muscular haath to for sure.” When Elli AvrRam commented, “Jisse sach mein mar gayi,” Disha reassured her, saying, “Arey nahiii, my favourite girl is missing.” The team that chats together stays together.

Disha and Adi are in the Ek Villian sequel. Will Mohit write AK and Kunal in, too?

2020’S FIRST QUARTER SUFFERS A BIG DROP, AND NOT JUST DUE TO CORONAVIRUS!

A few years back, it was normal to not expect much from the business point view in Bollywood from the first three months of the year. Very few biggies used to release and it was said that a combination of reasons like cold wave, exams etc used to affect footfalls in cinemas. But things began to change from 2018. It saw a series of successful films like Padmaavat, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Raid, Hichki and Baaghi 2. Padmaavat even in fact collected a mind-boggling Rs. 282.28 crore at the box office, despite not releasing in 4 states. Baaghi 2 too exceeded expectations with a business of Rs. 160.74 crore. Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety came with some hype but no one dreamed it’ll manage to cross the Rs. 100 crore mark.

The scenario got a bit better in 2019. It began with a bang with the blockbuster success of Uri. No one expected it to cross even Rs. 50 crore mark but it earned, believe it or not, Rs. 244 crore. Manikarnika – The Queen Of Jhansi was not a hit but accumulated Rs. 90 crore. Total Dhamaal had a lot of negativity among media and so-called intellectuals but masses made it a Rs. 150 crore grosser. Other films like Gully Boy, Luka Chuppi, Badla and Kesari too exceled at the ticket window.

As for 2020, it also started on an encouraging note thanks to Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior. It was not a success in some states but the business in Maharashtra especially was so legendary that it ended its business with Rs. 269.70 crore. The other upcoming films too seemed exciting but sadly none of them worked well at the box office. Street Dancer seemed like a sure-shot hit to many but its opening was shockingly poor and so was its overall business. Love Aaj Kal started off well but public response was terrible. It opened at Rs. 11.47 crore but its lifetime earnings didn’t even cross the Rs. 35 crore mark! Bhoot – Part One: The Haunted Ship was Vicky Kaushal’s first film after Uri but its niche appeal and mixed word of mouth proved detrimental. Meanwhile, a lot was expected from Chhapaak and Panga. But these women-centric films proved to be flops.

By the time it was March, the Coronavirus scare began to increase day by day. Baaghi 3 had minimal impact of it initially but its opening got affected by lack of considerably hype and word of mouth. It ended it’s week one at Rs. 86.73 crore and it’s lifetime would have been around Rs. 115 crore. But sadly, cinema halls began to gradually shut from its 6th day of release. By the time it was its 11th day (March 17), cinema halls had shut across India. It’s collection stood at Rs. 92.31 crore and it’s said that it’s unlikely that it’ll re-release after normalcy.

Angrezi Medium was the unfortunate one as it released a day after Delhi government shut its theatres. On Day 2 of release, most centres of Maharashtra were closed down. Slowly, all other states also followed suit. It’s lifetime was a mere Rs. 9.06 crore. Despite Delhi shutdown and the fear, it had a decent opening of Rs. 4.03 crore. Hence, a Rs. 5 crore opening was possible if things were normal. Many missed watching it and it was hoped that it’ll resume its run once theatres open. A few days ago however, it arrived on digital platform Disney+ Hotstar. The inside news is that it the OTT giant handsomely paid the makers for its rights.

Meanwhile, a few films did well thankfully. Malang didn’t open well but had great response from public. It earned Rs. 57.96 crore. Saif Ali Khan-starrer Jawaani Jaaneman performed decently with Rs.24.58 crore. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan was helped by Ayushmann Khurrana’s presence majorly though the gay theme kept people away. Thappad did very well considering its subject and collected Rs. 29.70 crore. It could have easily crossed the Rs. 35 crore mark if things were fine.

The total nett box office collections of all Bollywood films in 2018’s first quarter was Rs. 880 crore approx. In 2019’s first quarter, it jumped to Rs. 1041 crore approx. In 2020, it however came down at Rs. 735 crore approx. Had the highly awaited Sooryavanshi released on its scheduled date on March 24, then this figure could have crossed the Rs. 1000 crore mark.

Exploring the genre and buying a plot of land to build an elephant shelter tops the to-do list of self-confessed tomboy Disha Patani
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 28, 2020)

Like her peers, Disha Patani is staring at a schedule which is suddenly pried open by the Coronavirus-induced shutdown. “We are so used to working all the time that everyone is going through a sort of a breakdown. But it’s necessary to connect with yourself, too,” she philosophises, adding that she hopes her pet dogs, Bella and Goku, and cat, Keety, are happy to have her around.

A few weeks ago, the actress sizzled in a red dress at the success party of her last release, Malang. The do also marked the announcement of Ek Villain 2. Point out that she’s been chasing one high after the other, much like her character Sara in the film, and Disha chuckles, “I am enjoying the diverse roles coming my way. The success of Malang is gratifying because I gave the nod 10 minutes into the narration. It’s not every day that you get a strong character like Sara, someone who exacts revenge.”

In the 2014 revenge-drama, leading lady Shraddha Kapoor dies in the first half, spurring the protagonist into action. Will Ek Villain 2 follow suit? “I died in two of my earlier films (M S Dhoni - The Untold Story and Baaghi 2) and both were successful but, I hope I don’t die in this one. It’s very different from what I’ve done before,” is all Disha will divulge right now. With the pandemic throwing schedules astray, there’s no telling when the film will go on the floors.

With the film, she reunites with director Mohit Suri and insists she couldn’t be luckier. “Nobody presents a girl like Mohit. Thanks to his wife (actress Udita Goswami) and daughter, he connects with women well and portrays them beautifully on screen. He is open to ideas and lets you tweak lines if he thinks it’s justified,” she gushes.

Disha has already shot for Radhe: Most Wanted Bhai, in which she plays Salman Khan’s ladylove. While working with the superstar was one of her career’s highpoints, she can’t stop raving about her director Prabhudheva, who choreographed the new version of the hit Telugu song, “Seeti Maar”. “It’s tough to keep up with him. He’d show me how to do a particular step and it looked so easy because he is the God of dance. But I was unable to do it when I tried. So, he kept making me do retakes till I got it right. I was so intimidated dancing next to him,” she admits.

The actress plays Jackie Shroff’s sister in the film. Since she has worked with his son, Tiger Shroff, in Baaghi 2, you wonder if she noticed any differences between their styles of working. “They are very different; there is a huge age gap. It’s like asking if my father and I are similar,” she shrugs. “He is so cool, takes things easy… And has so much swag. No one can match up to him.”

Now that she’s working with such big names, does she feel she has arrived? Her voice echoes her incredulity, “I have a long way to go to leave a mark. I am working hard every day and hoping that someday, people accept me in a different way,” she says earnestly.

What’s the different way? Disha, considered to be one of the hottest actresses in Bollywood, says that she has always been a sports-loving tomboy. “I grew up on superhero and action films, especially Jackie Chan’s. I want to do an out-and-out action fest,” she reveals, adding that she once wanted to be an Air Force pilot. “Thankfully, I didn’t try pursuing that dream because I have major motion sickness,” she giggles.

Any personal milestones? “There are a lot of places for cats and dogs but nothing for elephants. I want to buy a plot of land for them. Let’s hope it comes true soon,” she concludes.

The first quarter has seen a dull response with only TANHAJI: THE UNSUNG WARRIOR emerging a success and a huge one also. The film became the third biggest blockbuster of the last 20 years in Mumbai circuit with footfalls only behind BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION and GADAR - EK PREM KATHA.

The rest of the films did not work at all though BAAGHI 3 would have been a SEMI HIT/HIT film as it would have hit the 115 crore nett mark and maybe even crossed 120 crore nett for HIT status if it was not for the shutdown of theatres due to Coronavirus. The film could still make AVERAGE status if it get another 2.50 crore share when cinemas reopen.

The only two other films to avoid FLOP status were SHUBH MANGAL ZYADA SAAVDHAN and MALANG though the former under performed and the latter had far too high costs for the cast of the film. The classifications of the the major films released in the first quarter of 2020 are as follows. Only BAAGHI 3 may have a change depending on what happens when cinemas reopen.

All Time Blockbuster 
-

Super Blockbuster
-

Blockbuster
Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (131 crore)

Super Hit
-

Hit
-

Semi Hit
-

Average
-

Below Average
Baaghi 3 (47.50 crore)
Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (26.50 crore)
Malang (26 crore)

FLOP
Street Dancer (32 crore)
Chhapaak (14.75 crore)
Bhoot: Part One – The Haunted Ship - (14 crore)
Thappad - (13.50 crore)
Jawaani Jaaneman - (13 crore)
Panga (8.75 crore)
Angrezi Medium (4.25 crore)
Shikara (3.25 crore)

Disha Patani says she will feel like a true star when her name alone draws crowds to theatres
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 12, 2020)

Disha Patani is basking in the success of Malang, the third film this year to cross the ₹50-crore mark at the box office. And the actor, who is delighted with the appreciation her performance has received, believes the amount a film collects is equally important as the accolades it draws, for the box office is what validates an actor’s bankability. “As an actor, it makes me happy that people are loving Malang. Box office numbers are certainly an important factor to measure success, but I don’t think they’re the ultimate benchmark. The box office success of a movie runs parallel to how much fans love it. In a way, both of them are intertwined. For a confidence boost, it certainly helps knowing that all the hard work put in by everyone has paid off,” she says.

Talking about the feedback from the audience and her contemporaries, Patani shares, “The response has been phenomenal. Everyone – my friends, fans and even people in the film fraternity — told me how Malang was a unique experience and how they are loving it.” The actor adds it was an important film as it helped her “explore an entirely different side” to herself.

Ask if the response makes her confident about her upcoming film, Radhe, co-starring Salman Khan, she says, “They’re very different genres and experiences. But positive reactions are always good. Seeing the response that Malang has received, it certainly makes me want to push myself harder and keep learning.”

The 27-year-old admits that the opportunity to share screen space with Khan yet again, after Bharat (2019), is a “dream come true” for her. “Working with Salman sir again has been an amazing experience. Prabhu (Prabhudheva) sir’s energy is contagious and there’s so much that I’ve learned from both of them. I’m grateful for the opportunity that was given to me,” the M S Dhoni - The Untold Story (2016) actor says.

Given a chance, Patani would also love to venture into the web space. “I don’t ever want to restrict myself to one genre. Even though there is no specific genre that I want to explore, I would love to try my hand at different types of characters and stories if they suit and interest me,” the actor shares.

But Patani feels she will consider herself a true star the day her name would be enough to draw audiences to the theatre. “It all depends on the mass pull you have,” she adds.

Actress joins John Abraham, Aditya Roy Kapur on Ek Villain sequel to play a Gone Girl-ish character
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 2, 2020)

Mirror had earlier reported (January 6) that Mohit Suri is returning with the second instalment of his 2014 action-thriller, Ek Villain. The director has teamed up with John Abraham and Malang actor Aditya Roy Kapur for Part 2. Now, we’ve learnt that Disha Patani, who had featured alongside Aditya in the film, is on-board the new project as one of the two female leads.

Mohit says, “Disha is the first heroine who walked up to me and said, ‘I want to do more action, beat up people, perform stunts… kick some butt. Just the way boys do it in your films. I want to be the hero’. That’s when I asked her if she would do the Ek Villain sequel and she was game.”

The filmmaker goes on to add that the actress will be seen in a different avatar in the film. “While Malang brought Disha’s free-spirited avatar to light, this one will showcase her as an integral part of the action-franchise.”

According to an industry source, Disha is paired opposite John in the film. “The makers are trying to give the film a different twist by pairing them, considering she was opposite Aditya in their last film. Disha will be seen doing some heavy-duty stunts as well. The hunt for a second leading lady is still on,” the source informed, adding that both the characters are in the Gone Girl zone. The Bhushan Kumar and Ekta Kapoor production will go on the floors later this year and will release on January 8 2021.