Showing posts with label Satyaprem Ki Katha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Satyaprem Ki Katha. Show all posts
Why Main Vaapas Aaunga is not a 12th Fail
3:28 PM
Box Office India Trade Network
MAIN VAAPAS AAUNGA has seen a good run at the box office without really breaking out to more areas outside NCR, Punjab, Mumbai city and Bangalore. NCR and Punjab is down to the regional flavor and other two do well with gentry films. The film is going to end up with similar business to 12TH FAIL (2023) but that film was a HIT and MAIN VAAPAS AAUNGA will not be. These films are basically down to budgets as they never reach much of the audience.
Its actually pretty weird that the writers and media raves and even the industry sees them as the better films but in real world around you, not many have seen or even know about them. This is why these films can be commercial HITS (budget to box office) but never HITS for the public. For commercial hit, it comes down to the budget and the budget of MAIN VAAPAS AAUNGA is three times of 12TH FAIL which is the problem. The budget of the film is more than a SATYAPREM KI KATHA and almost as much as TERI BAATON MEIN AISA ULJHA JIYA and will not do as much business as these films. No doubt even non theatrical will be less than these but that does not come into the equation for theatrical success.
MAIN VAAPAS AAUNGA has done extremely well to get this 47 crore nett mark so far from a 1 crore nett start and this would have looked phenomenal before the pandemic. But post pandemic, we have seen MAHAVATAR NARSIMHA and THE KASHMIR FILES and compared to them, this trend is nothing. Basically due to the budget, the film needed to start at 2-3 crore nett and then find this appreciation from the areas where it has been liked.
Post the pandemic, there have been three of these much raved about films (12TH FAIL, LAAPATAA LADIES, MAIN VAAPAS AAUNGA) and within the industry, you sort of understand now why they are talked about so much as films are watched in a different way from a regular watcher. But its 2026 and you would think the rest, be it media or social media, will be more reflective of the wider society but that's not the case.
For the record 12TH FAIL was a HIT, LAAPATAA LADIES was a FLOP and MAIN VAAPAS AAUNGA may turn out to be AVERAGE.
Kartik Aaryan to reunite with Satyaprem Ki Katha director Sameer Vidwans for another love story
8:47 AM
Kartik Aaryan reuniting with Satyaprem Ki Katha director Sameer Vidwans for another love story; sources say duo shopping for a producer after Sajid Nadiadwala bows out
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 15, 2024)
When an actor-director duo delivers a hit, an encore is often on the cards. Right after Satyaprem Ki Katha (2023) worked wonders at the box office, rumours were rife that leading man Kartik Aaryan and director Sameer Vidwans were planning to reunite. Over a year since, the two seem to have found exactly the kind of story they were looking for. mid-day has learnt that they have zeroed in on a love story and are currently shopping around for a producer.
A source says, “During the shoot of Satyaprem Ki Katha, Kartik was so impressed by Sameer that he had expressed his wish to work with him again, even asking him to find another romantic drama. Recently, the director pitched a script to Kartik, who immediately loved it.”
Not surprisingly, their first option for a collaborator was their Satyaprem Ki Katha producer Sajid Nadiadwala. The source adds, “They were eager to team up with Sajid, hoping to recreate the magic of their first offering together. Also, since Sameer had signed a two-film deal with the producer, he felt this could be the perfect second collaboration. But Sajid had to regretfully turn down the proposition as he has his hands full with four projects lined up for next year—Salman Khan’s Sikandar, Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5, Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 4, and Vishal Bhardwaj’s film with Shahid Kapoor about Hussain Ustara. Since then, the actor-director duo has been shopping around for studios, without much success.”
Aaryan, who recently delivered a hit in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, has yet to announce his next project. The actor has a romantic drama with Anurag Basu and producer Bhushan Kumar, but it’s still uncertain whether it will be made as a part of the Aashiqui franchise or a standalone film. The sequel to Pati Patni Aur Woh (2019) is also in the pipeline. So, one wonders when the actor’s film with Vidwans will get off the ground.
The source, however, is confident of it taking shape soon. The insider adds, “Sameer and Kartik’s bond is deeper than that of a director and actor; their friendship goes back many years. Kartik is an enterprising actor, and he will ensure this project shapes up.”
Kartik Aaryan a favourite among filmmakers and the name brands are looking to sign up
8:23 AM
Kartik Aaryan is leading the ‘next-gen Bollywood story’, making him a favourite among filmmakers and the name brands are looking to sign up
THE ECONOMIC TIMES (February 20, 2024)
Kartik Aaryan has emerged as the torchbearer for the next generation of Bollywood actors, not only because his films have been successful blockbusters but also because he’s a formidable name in the world of brand endorsements.
Aaryan, who debuted on the ‘Forbes India Celebrity 100 list’ in 2019, today boasts of an impressive portfolio of brand associations that transcend international boundaries.
Aaryan entered the industry as an outsider, but with his boyish charm, relatability and effervescent energy, has climbed up the pedestal to become a favourite among corporates.
One of the key factors contributing to Aaryan’s unparalleled success when it comes to signing up brands is his discerning choice of films and the diverse characters he brings to life on screen.
Neeraj Joshi, marketing head at Zee Studios, said, “Aaryan’s is a story that brands love. A boy-next-door from central India making it big with sheer determination, undeniable talent and ‘in-your-face’ attitude. His appeal cuts across age, gender and orientation, which is something most big stars still covet.”
Spate of successes
His recent successes, including Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Satyaprem Ki Katha, Freddy and Dhamaka, have skyrocketed his brand value and demand. His upcoming roster includes the muchanticipated horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, the youth-centric Aashiqui 3, and Chandu Champion, a real-life-inspired tale targeted at audiences across demographics. He also has a collaboration with Dharma Productions coming up on an untitled war film, which further solidifies his status as a versatile actor.
“Aaryan is known for portraying characters that resonate with the youth. Gen Z appreciates humour that aligns with their sensibilities, and through his fashion choices, movie roles and social media visibility, Aaryan is massively popular among youngsters,” said Joy Chatterjee, AVP sales and marketing, Mankind Consumer Business Unit.
Even within these factors, his active social media persona stands out as a robust advantage. “For advertisers, social media presence can be a valuable asset. While collaborating with a celebrity or influencer, the first metric a brand looks at is the ‘reach’ they have and what kind of a target audience follows them,” Chatterjee added.
A diverse list of brands
Proof of Aaryan’s magnetism lies in the extensive list of brands he endorses, which spans diverse categories: From FMCG giants like McDonalds, Dabur Red and Cadbury Silk to technology and lifestyle brands like Superdry, Boat Speakers, GTPL and Armani Exchange watches, Kartik’s brand spectrum is as vast as it is impressive. In 2023, his campaigns including #ApnePartnerSePucho (Manforce Condoms), #TheKartikAaryanMeal (McDonald’s) and #YaaronWaaliBaat (McDowell) have been the talk of the brand world.
Today, Aaryan’s commercial value is such that he commands fees between Rs. 3 crore and Rs. 5 crore per brand. He also earns Rs. 40-50 crore per film. These figures are testament to his box office prowess and the immense draw he has for audiences and brands alike.
In Kroll’s Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2022, Aaryan held the 17th position with a brand value of $36.5 million. This not only underscores his popularity but also highlights his ability to resonate with diverse audiences, often through the infusion of humour into his brand associations.
Renowned trade analyst Joginder Tuteja called Aaryan the new face in brand world. “He is a driving force in the world of endorsements. With more than two dozen brands in his kitty, he’s among the top three celebs in the country. It’s indeed a remarkable feat for a person who comes from the heartland, to not just make it big in the glamour world but also retain high levels of popularity among such a large chunk of the audiences. He is one of the leading faces in Bollywood and the brand world,” Tuteja said.
With no snow in Kashmir, shoot requests dry up
10:32 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; January 12, 2024)
Be it for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani or Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, filmmakers often head to Gulmarg and Sonamarg when they wish to film a song against the backdrop of snow-clad mountains within the country. Every year, until mid-January, several regions of the Himalayas receive fresh snowfall, which results in a surge in shooting requests from filmmakers. This year, however, there have been no such requests yet.
A line producer who has assisted in several shoots in J&K says, “After heavy snowfall, we receive several requests from filmmakers for shoots. While song shoots happen from March-May, requests start pouring in from December. But this year, since there has been no snowfall, we haven’t received any shooting requests yet.”
Another line producer for films like Satyaprem Ki Katha and Dunki, shares, “At present, we don’t have any requests from filmmakers. No Bollywood film recce is lined up for February or March. When it comes to shooting song sequences, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are favourite destinations among filmmakers. But this year, due to the lack of snow, filming requests have dried up.”
Most films often don’t do justice to a song in terms of the visuals, but in case of Arjan Vailly, the visuals were apt-Manan Bhardwaj
8:01 PM
Maker of the Animal chart-topper says the song’s success has provided impetus to his career and encouraged him to come up with better songs
Soumya Vajpayee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 6, 2024)
Last year was a great one for composer-singer Manan Bhardwaj. While his song Aaj Ke Baad from Satyaprem Ki Katha did well, what became the highlight of the year, and perhaps his career so far, was the astounding success of Arjan Vailly from Animal. Ask if he anticipated such response to the song, and the musician says, “I am grateful that it’s done so well. When I compose, I get totally involved in the process and don’t think about the results. I leave everything to God.”
Bhardwaj also feels that the way the song, sung by Punjabi singer Bhupinder Babbal, was picturized in the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer added to the impact: “It has been picturized really well. Most films often don’t do justice to a song in terms of the visuals, but in case of Arjan Vailly, the visuals were apt and the lyrics were justified.”
He agrees that Arjan Vailly’s success has provided impetus to his career. “It helped me feature among the top 100 artistes globally and the song continues to top the charts. I feel a greater sense of responsibility to offer good and original music, and lyrics,” says Bhardwaj, who’s been celebrating the success of the song by buying his “favourite perfumes and new music instruments”.
Talking about the experience of recording the song with Babbal, the 36-year-old adds, “Babbal paaji’s energy on the day of the recording was contagious. We recorded for hours. Me and Sandeep sir (Sandeep Reddy Vanga; director) took a lot of takes for Chak Oye (an uptempo segment of the song). It was so loud that the next day, my neighbours sounded worried for us (laughs).”
Bollywood rules 2023: Trade experts say "Mooh tod jawaab to those who wrote off Bollywood"
10:58 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 30, 2023)
Bollywood ruled 2023! From our seasoned superstars raking in the moolah to impactful performances by the younger lot, Hindi cinema lovers got it all! Actor Shah Rukh Khan returned to the big screen with a bang, with not just one or two, but three power-packed performances. Actor Sunny Deol, on the other hand, marked his dhamakedar comeback with the sequel to his 2001 hit Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Actors Ranbir Kapoor (Animal), Vicky Kaushal (Sam Bahadur) and Vikrant Massey (12th Fail) proved their mettle.
“What a year! Mooh tod jawaab to those who wrote off Bollywood,” says trade expert Atul Mohan.
CLASH? WHAT’S THAT
The audience was served good content and film clashes on a platter this year. The Akshay Kumar-Pankaj Tripathi-starrer OMG 2 clashed with Deol’s Gadar 2; when everyone thought the latter would devour the former, it never came to pass. We also saw clashes between Kaushal and Kapoor, and Shah Rukh’s Dunki and actor Prabhas’ Salaar.
OMG 2 director Amit Rai says, “We saw masses and classes come out to watch films. Some thought cinema se maar-dhaad gayab ho gaya hai, but public ne woh bhi qubool kiya. Future mein, yeh saal sabse important year maana jaayega, in terms of footfall and collections.”
SMALL FILM WONDER
Films set in small towns like Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (Rs. 88 crore), 12th Fail (Rs. 50 crore) and Satyaprem Ki Katha (Rs. 75 crore), too worked their magic. Controversy was swirling around director Sudipto Sen’s The Kerala Story, but it went on to become one of the biggest successes, this year, as it breached the Rs. 200-crore club.
Sen says, “It’s good for the industry that small films worked.” For Rai, 12th Fail was a surprise: “Vikrant, the lead actor isn’t that big a star. Yet it worked and the return on investment is crazy.”
A SPRINKLE OF DISAPPOINTMENTS
The industry also saw a few lows as some films didn’t quite hit the mark with their box-office collections. Actor Salman Khan’s Tiger 3, one of 2023’s most anticipated releases, with a budget of Rs. 300 crore, earned Rs. 466 crore. Ganapath, made on a budget of Rs. 200 crore, earned Rs. 13.38 crore, while Kuttey and Thank You For Coming, both produced with a budget of Rs. 45 crore, earned Rs. 4.65 crore and Rs. 9 crore, respectively.
Devang Sampat, CEO, Cinepolis India, says, “This is part and parcel of making films. After Covid-19, we saw a recovery of 90% in 2022 and it reached 110% in 2023. It’s a great sign.”
Though Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani does well, trade says post-pandemic losses yet to be recovered as tier-2 centres are running dry
8:41 AM
Despite Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Oppenheimer enjoying a strong run, trade says post-pandemic losses yet to be recovered as tier-2 centres are running dry
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 1, 2023)
The weekend gone by was nothing less than a carnival at the cinemas, as audiences had four distinct movies to choose from—romantic drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Christopher Nolan’s biopic Oppenheimer, Greta Gerwig’s satire Barbie, and Tom Cruise’s actioner Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One. While the Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt-led dramedy earned Rs 45.90 crore over its opening weekend, Oppenheimer and Barbie have amassed Rs 91 crore and Rs 32 crore respectively, in its 10-day run. So, are we finally witnessing a turnaround after the dry spell of the past many months?
Not exactly. Trade analysts say the movie business is far from recovering the losses incurred in the post-pandemic era. “Thanks to Oppenheimer, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One and Rocky Aur Rani, many theatres had housefull boards this weekend. So, we are enthusiastic, but not elated. The industry has a long way to go before we can recover the losses incurred during the pandemic. We need four to five blockbusters to get there,” says exhibitor Akshaye Rathi, who runs a chain of cinemas across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Bihar-based exhibitor Vishek Chauhan is less optimistic. He points out that while theatres in metros have witnessed strong footfall, things haven’t changed in tier-2 and 3 centres. “These are primarily multiplex films. The single screens are dead. Audiences didn’t throng my theatre yesterday for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which they did in the case of Satyaprem Ki Katha and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke. We can’t [only] consider the robust collections in metros, and say that theatres are doing well,” he explains.
Distributor Raj Bansal highlights another important factor—that the current business is largely being driven by three Hollywood films, with Karan Johar’s dramedy being the only exception. “When we look at the commercial business of Hindi films in 2023, we don’t have many [successes] so far except Pathaan, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and Satyaprem Ki Katha.”
On that count, Chauhan emphasizes that Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, being a Johar venture, should have performed much better. “Even in the multiplexes, the film hasn’t gained the momentum that one expected from it. A Karan Johar film should have had an opening weekend of Rs. 75-80 crore,” he says. Fortunately, the movie is enjoying good word-of-mouth and should hold well in the coming days.
Bansal adds that the upcoming movies may give us those elusive blockbusters. “The limited advance booking of Gadar 2 is positive. Then, there is Jawan, and towards the year-end, our hope is pinned on Tiger 3, Animal and Dunki.”
Makers opt for revisited versions of newer non-film songs
8:10 AM
Recreation of old classics for films is passé. Of late, makers are opting for revisited versions of newer non-film songs
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 28, 2023)
While recreations of old hit songs for Hindi films isn’t a new trend, of late, filmmakers are opting for recreations of relatively newer songs. In the recent times, a number of movies saw hit singles that released barely a couple of years ago get recreated. Singer Ali Sethi’s cult song Pasoori was revisited for Satyaprem Ki Katha recently. Earlier, Manike Mage Hithe, a hit single by Sri Lankan singer Yohani, was used in the Sidharth Malhotra-starrer Thank God (2022). Jehda Nasha, a viral song composed by the indie band Faridkot, was used in the 2022 film An Action Hero.
While the singles are still fresh in listeners’ minds, we wonder what makes filmmakers opt for their recreations. Varun Gupta, the man behind the marketing of big films, including Adipurush and Saaho (2019), says, “Recreations, if done with a bit of thought, make sense. The call lies with the producer, director and actors. For films that don’t have much music, such recreations help in promotions. But when a movie has original music, it’s not required.”
Earlier, the 2018 song Coca Cola Tu by singer Tony Kakkar was recreated for actor Kartik Aaryan’s Luka Chuppi (2019). Musician Harrdy Sandhu’s 2018 chartbuster Naah Goriye was used in 2020 for the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Bala.
Gupta feels that promotional songs that don’t feature in the film are a good marketing tool. “Coming up with a recreation just before a film’s release to get attention works at times. But is it a foolproof way of marketing a film? Not at all,” shares Gupta.
Pasoori’s recreation for Satyaprem Ki Katha was discussed widely. The announcement came barely a few days before the release and the film’s director, Sameer Vidwans, admits that they were prepared for the polarizing feedback. “Pasoori is a cult song. So if we recreated it, people were bound to react. We really wanted the song in our film’s soundtrack. Yes, it could have led to a negative impact on the movie, but we were sure that the song’s intensity will only add [value] to our film. I am glad it worked,” he says.
Focus on original music
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh doesn’t feel remakes help a film. “There’s so much original stuff we can do. Recreation has become a norm today. The makers feel if a song is already out, why not encash on its popularity? A really popular recent song, if recreated, will always draw comparisons with the original that’s still fresh in people’s minds,” he says.
Echoing the same sentiment, filmmaker Aanand L Rai, who produced An Action Hero, adds, “As a maker, I have accepted this and feel sorry. Recreations show our bankruptcy on the music front. It shows that we are unable to create something that is soulful or what people enjoy listening to. These things show that it is time for us to gear up and work a little more on our films’ music. It is a very important ingredient and we cannot borrow it every time. It is important to come up with originals.”
Sameer Vidwans defends the ‘male saviour’ scene in Satyaprem Ki Katha
8:42 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 20, 2023)
Director Sameer Vidwans’ latest film Satyaprem Ki Katha, that stars Kiara Advani as Katha, a rape survivor, and Kartik Aaryan as Sattu, her supportive husband, has received rave reviews. However, a section of audience didn’t agree with a key scene in the film — one where the latter announces at a family gathering that his wife was a rape survivor. Many on social media expressed concerns about why a woman need a man to take that call for her about something so personal.
Ask Vidwans about it, and he says, “Alag nazariye se dekhiye isko. A large section of girls in society feel that it’s their fault (if they are sexually assaulted), even when it is not. In the film, Katha blames herself, thinking that she must have done something wrong to be a rape survivor. To prove that thought wrong, the character of Sattu says, ‘Tum sahi thi, kuchh galat nahin kiya tumne’.”
Citing the lack of a support system around Katha in the film, the director continues, “She didn’t have anyone around to advise her. Then, her husband took a stand for her. It’s a story about Katha and Sattu, who is a feminist husband. All we aimed to establish is that the change should come within the men.”
In six months, Bollywood delivers 2 blockbusters, 1 surprise super-hit
3:32 PM
Box Office India Trade Network
The first half of the year continued from where we left in 2022 with most films biting the dust. PATHAAN hit it out of the park with record numbers edging past BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION though in GROSS terms the Prabhas-starrer remains ahead. PATHAAN saw Shah Rukh Khan in the action genre which should have happened 10-15 years ago as a lot of his non performers were down to genre not being correct at the time of release for such a big star.
THE KERALA STORY was the surprise of the first six months as it racked up huge numbers for what the actual film as worth and the collections were more organic than last year's THE KASHMIR FILES which was on similar lines. Both these films are very low cost films with huge returns and are compared to biggest low cost film ever JAI SANTOSHI MAA (1975). But the box office success of these films is a notch lower as the reach is less than that film.
ZARA HATKE ZARA BACHKE was another big HIT and it is actually the most important film of the year as it is basically the bread and butter type film for the industry and it can still work. The film shows the audience profile has changed from upper middle/middle class to lower middle/middle class as nothing else in this zone has worked. But generally those films were more like pre pandemic aiming at the upper middle/middle classes. This film scored strongly in A centres of the Hindi belts pushing the box office over 80 crore nett with the help of super hit music.
The other moderate successes were TU JHOOTHI MAIN MAKKAAR and SATYAPREM KI KATHA but today even moderate is good. Actually today even a FLOP tag is pretty respectable as its one disaster after another. TU JHOOTHI MAIN MAKKAAR had a lot going for it with a strong cast and good music. As the film had a story and milieu which was very urban, the reach got limited and that reflects in collections. SATYAPREM KI KATHA is another film which has done well for what its worth. The film did not have much going for it and its managed a decent run till date and should end up around that 70 crore nett mark or near. The AVERAGE mark is disappointing for TU JHOOTHI MAIN MAKKAAR but you take it for SATYAPREM KI KATHA.
Last year there was support from the South with KGF: CHAPTER 2 and RRR but so far there has been nothing this year. Hollywood had some successful films with JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 being the surprise with collections of 50 crore nett. FAST X did a bigger number but expectations were also much higher.
There are flop theatrical films put in the list but as mentioned above, a flop is not bad as most films are disasters at the ticket counters today. The classifications of the first half of 2023 is as follows.
All Time Blockbuster
Pathaan
Super Blockbuster
The Kerala Story
Blockbuster
-
Super Hit
Zara Hatke Zara Bachke
Hit
John Wick: Chapter 4 (Hollywood)
Semi Hit
Fast X (Hollywood)
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (Hollywood)
Average
Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar
Satyaprem Ki Katha
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (Hollywood)
Below Average
Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway
Ponniyin Selvan - Part 2 (South)
Flop
Adipurush
Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan
Bholaa
Analyzing the first six months of 2023 from box office perspective
8:35 AM
The last six months saw a number of small as well as big-banner films release, of which some hit the B-spot while most missed the mark
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 4, 2023)
The year started off with a bang as actor Shah Rukh Khan’s big comeback, Pathaan, lived up to its hype. However, it’s been a mixed bag in terms of the releases that followed. Trade expert Atul Mohan says, “Pathaan was an emotional hit. People just wanted to watch it to show support to Shah Rukh, who was going through a rough patch personally.”
A handful of films worked, but a bigger number didn’t. Family films and those in the romcom space, such as Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and now, Satyaprem Ki Katha — which is still in its first week — worked. This hints at the fact that mid-segment movies are back to support tentpole films such as Pathaan.
“That was necessary, as mid-segment films are what keep the box office in the green. They keep people coming to cinemas till the time a big film releases,” says exhibitor Akshaye Rathi.
While the Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon-starrer Shehzada didn’t meet expectations, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan — led by Salman Khan — made on a production cost of Rs. 150 crore, also didn’t earn as expected.
But, trade expert Taran Adarsh feels the “biggest disappointment of 2023 has been Adipurush”. The Prabhas-led epic, which incurred a production cost of Rs. 500 crore, had its fate sealed from the big drop on its first Monday after release, clouded by controversy and backlash over its dialogues.
Star-led projects such as Akshay Kumar’s Selfiee and Ajay Devgn’s Bholaa also disappointed. But, then came The Kerala Story on May 5 that proved to be a winner. Its director, Sudipto Sen, says: “Small, realistic films are creating a new ecosystem. People are connecting more to them. The ones with an organic connection are the ones working.”
HITS
Pathaan
Budget: Rs. 240 cr
Lifetime: Rs. 512 cr
The Kerala Story
Budget: Rs. 30 cr
Lifetime: Rs. 211 cr
Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar
Budget: Rs. 160 cr
Lifetime: Rs. 128 cr
Zara Hatke Zara Bachke
Budget: Rs. 40 cr
Lifetime: Rs. 83 cr
MISSES
Adipurush
Budget: Rs. 500 cr
Lifetime: Rs. 270 cr
Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan
Budget: Rs. 150 cr
Lifetime: Rs. 101 cr
Selfiee
Budget: Rs. 100 cr
Lifetime: Rs. 17 cr
Kuttey
Budget: Rs. 35 cr
Lifetime: Rs. 4 cr
(ALL INDIA FIGURES ACCORDING TO BOX OFFICE INDIA AND TRADE ESTIMATES)
As Satyaprem Ki Katha collects Rs. 38 cr, trade cheers the rise of mid-budget films
8:29 AM
Satyaprem Ki Katha busts myth that only actioners work at the BO as it earns Rs 38 crores over the opening weekend; trade cheers the rise of mid-budget films
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 4, 2023)
What’s the secret to box-office success in Bollywood? Only a tentpole action film, industry insiders would say until a few weeks ago. But the performance of Satyaprem Ki Katha tells us otherwise. In only four days, Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani’s romantic drama has made over Rs 38 crores. This comes close on the heels of Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan’s Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, which released on June 2 and has made over Rs 84 crores. It’s safe to say that the myth about only action films drawing audiences to theatres has been busted.
Manoj Desai, executive director of G7 Cinemas and Maratha Mandir, says that romance has been the box-office flavour in June. “The genre of romance is working at the movies. Satyaprem Ki Katha’s occupancy is between 70 and 80 per cent,” he says, adding that the underwhelming run of Adipurush in mid-June left the audiences wanting more.
“People expected Adipurush to do well, but it didn’t. There is a desire to watch a movie on the big screen. In some ways, this film is making up for the deficit.”
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says it is folly to believe that a certain genre has an advantage over others. “If a movie is good, it will work. Zara Hatke... and Satyaprem... have been well-received, and are enjoying footfall despite the downpour in Mumbai.”
He, however, credits the makers of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke for taking the leap of faith. “The consensus was that the film should have premièred on OTT, but the makers took a risk, and look how well it did! There is action-movie fatigue. In digital entertainment, [we have] crime, suspense and murder mysteries in surplus. People now want song-and-dance, joy and mostly romance.”
This bodes well for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which promises to be a classic Karan Johar affair, complete with songs, drama and extravagance. While exhibitor Akshaye Rathi admits that an epic romance musical like Rocky Aur Rani... is missing from the market, he is enthusiastic about the mid-budget films.
“There can only be two to three blockbusters a year. For instance, Shah Rukh Khan can give us Pathaan and Dunki once in a few years because these films are time-consuming and expensive to make. For the industry’s ecosystem, it’s not healthy if mid-level films don’t make money. This problem has been rectified by [the success of] Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and Satyaprem Ki Katha.”
I couldn’t have made a better version of Pasoori Nu-Rochak Kohli
10:24 AM
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; June 30, 2023)
Earlier this week, Ali Sethi-Shae Gill’s Pasoori (2022) was recreated as Pasoori Nu and within hours of its release a meme fest was unleashed on social media and hate comments poured in. The Rochak Kohli-Ali Sethi composition, co-written by Gurpreet Saini and Ali and sung by Arijit Singh-Tulsi Kumar is actually an authorized recreation for Satyaprem Ki Katha.
In an exclusive conversation, Rochak Kohli spoke to us about it all.
‘I took it as a challenge to make my own version’
When the makers got the rights in place, music composer Rochak Kohli, who has given us independent songs as well as Bollywood songs like Lae Dooba (Aiyaary, 2018), Tu Hi Yaar Mera (Pati Patni Aur Woh, 2019) and others, was entrusted to compose the recreation. “I took it as a challenge to make my own version of it because I couldn’t have done a ‘better’ version of the original. The original one is a masterpiece. Recreating a song is not easy at all because there is a baggage of a superhit and a legendary song on you that you are supposed to recreate. Ali and I have wanted to work together for a long time and with Pasoori Nu, that has finally happened.”
‘Reactions turned positive overnight’
As soon as the song dropped, the social media furor began. The composer feels that when a popular song like that is recreated people just begin with hate comments even before listening to it. “The idea of recreating this song itself turned people off but when they actually listened to it, they took it in a positive way. In fact, I saw these reactions of people turn positive overnight. There were some comments that were made by people even before they had heard the song.
‘Appreciation on social media is not considered cool anymore’
Rochak says, “There is a set of people on social media who are just there to criticize, and we the creators, we all know it. Whether it was this song or any other song, if we put out something there are people who just put up hate comments. Appreciation on social media is not considered cool anymore. So, people don’t appreciate your work on social media.”
‘We are not hurting anyone’s sentiments; we have just put our song out’
Getting hate comments and memes is almost a norm. Rochak feels that even songs that are not recreations get hate. “Isme koi badi baat nahi hai ki original hai ya recreation. But itni hatred ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. We are not hurting anyone’s sentiments; we have just put our song out.”
(Crisp) Movie Review: SATYAPREM KI KATHA by FENIL SETA
2:26 PM
Satyaprem Ki Katha’s first half is decent and has its share of funny and dramatic moments. However, the second half is quite strong and leaves an impact. Thankfully, the trailer doesn’t reveal what the conflict in the story is. Director Sameer Vidwans handles the plot sensitively and ends the film on a justified note. On the flipside, a few developments are not convincing. Also, the film seems lengthy. Songs are fine but not of chartbuster variety, except ‘Aaj Ke Baad’. Speaking of performances, Kartik Aaryan shows an improvement as an actor. Viewers are sure to love him like never before in this film. Kiara Advani, too, delivers a fine performance. She plays a challenging character effortlessly. Gajraj Rao and Supriya Pathak Kapur are dependable. Siddharth Randeria (Katha’s father) leaves a huge mark. Nirrmite Saawaant (Christmas Masi) is too good in a cameo. Rajpal Yadav is funny as always. Shikha Talsania and Anooradha Patel (Rasna) are okay. All in all, Satyaprem Ki Katha is a well-made saga with a great message. Worth watching!
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 784
9:46 AM
WILL SATYAPREM KI KATHA EMERGE AS A SUCCESS?
Kartik Aaryan had a dream run in 2022 with the blockbuster success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. However, his family drama, Shehzada, flopped and didn’t even open well. All eyes are now on his next, Satyaprem Ki Katha, which releases tomorrow. It reunites him with his Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 co-star, Kiara Advani. It is directed by Sameer Vidwans, who has made a mark in Marathi cinema.
Satyaprem Ki Katha’s promotion began with a teaser which was well-received. The trailer also seemed fine. The songs are soulful and energetic. The film is a passionate love story and we haven’t had such a film in a long time. Such films can have widespread appeal, though they don’t have record openings. But in the long run, these films can score at the box office. Also, this film is set in Gujarat and that’s where this film can pull in audiences in hordes.
Satyaprem Ki Katha, however, faces challenges. The songs are lovely but haven’t managed to generate the intended hype. Moreover, the makers released the recreated version of the famous Pakistani song ‘Pasoori Nu’ and it got massive criticism.
Looking at the advance, Satyaprem Ki Katha is expected to open in the range of Rs. 5-7 crores. If the ticket sales increase today and tomorrow, the opening can be higher. It’s releasing on the Bakri Eid holiday and this can prove advantageous. This also means that the film will enjoy a four-day weekend.
The other major release is Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny. It is the fifth part of the Indiana Jones franchise and has an 80-year-old Harrison Ford essaying the iconic character for the final time. It is expected to perform well in North America. But the hype in India is very limited. Due to the action factor and some fan following for the series, the film should hopefully open in the Rs. 2-3 crores range.
Lastly, Lust Stories 2 will release on Netflix tomorrow. It is an anthology of four shorts, directed by R Balki, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sujoy Ghosh and Amit Sharma. The star cast comprises Kajol, Tamannaah Bhatia, Vijay Varma, Mrunal Thakur, Tillotama Shome and Kumud Mishra. The film is expected to grab eyeballs due to the lust factor and also because audiences are curious to see the real-life couple Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma for the first time ever on screen.
Kartik Aaryan had a dream run in 2022 with the blockbuster success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. However, his family drama, Shehzada, flopped and didn’t even open well. All eyes are now on his next, Satyaprem Ki Katha, which releases tomorrow. It reunites him with his Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 co-star, Kiara Advani. It is directed by Sameer Vidwans, who has made a mark in Marathi cinema.
Satyaprem Ki Katha’s promotion began with a teaser which was well-received. The trailer also seemed fine. The songs are soulful and energetic. The film is a passionate love story and we haven’t had such a film in a long time. Such films can have widespread appeal, though they don’t have record openings. But in the long run, these films can score at the box office. Also, this film is set in Gujarat and that’s where this film can pull in audiences in hordes.
Satyaprem Ki Katha, however, faces challenges. The songs are lovely but haven’t managed to generate the intended hype. Moreover, the makers released the recreated version of the famous Pakistani song ‘Pasoori Nu’ and it got massive criticism.
Looking at the advance, Satyaprem Ki Katha is expected to open in the range of Rs. 5-7 crores. If the ticket sales increase today and tomorrow, the opening can be higher. It’s releasing on the Bakri Eid holiday and this can prove advantageous. This also means that the film will enjoy a four-day weekend.
The other major release is Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny. It is the fifth part of the Indiana Jones franchise and has an 80-year-old Harrison Ford essaying the iconic character for the final time. It is expected to perform well in North America. But the hype in India is very limited. Due to the action factor and some fan following for the series, the film should hopefully open in the Rs. 2-3 crores range.
Lastly, Lust Stories 2 will release on Netflix tomorrow. It is an anthology of four shorts, directed by R Balki, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sujoy Ghosh and Amit Sharma. The star cast comprises Kajol, Tamannaah Bhatia, Vijay Varma, Mrunal Thakur, Tillotama Shome and Kumud Mishra. The film is expected to grab eyeballs due to the lust factor and also because audiences are curious to see the real-life couple Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma for the first time ever on screen.
Kartik Aaryan wraps up Satyaprem Ki Katha shoot with song that depicts south Indian, Gujarati, Muslim, Christian weddings
8:23 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 30, 2023)
In April, mid-day had reported that Satyaprem Ki Katha’s unit had lined up the shoot of four songs, the last being Kartik Aaryan’s introductory track (Groove to garba, stop, repeat, Apr 29). Last week, Aaryan wrapped up Sameer Vidwans’s directorial venture with a grand dance number. We hear the song plays out as a dream sequence, and depicts Christian, Muslim, Gujarati and south Indian weddings.
It turns out the song was Aaryan’s idea, as he felt that a lavish introductory number would enhance the appeal of the romantic drama that also stars Kiara Advani.
A source reveals, “Sameer and producer Sajid Nadiadwala were in two minds about it as it’s an expensive affair, costing almost Rs 7 crores. On Kartik’s insistence, they decided to go ahead with it. In the narrative, the lead character Satyaprem wants to get married, and is dreaming about his prospective wedding.”
Production designer Rajat Poddarr and cinematographer Manu Anand, along with the director, had four set-ups built to showcase the different nuptials. While two sets were erected at Madh Island, the backdrops for the Muslim and Gujarati weddings were created on the grounds at Vrundavan Studio in Malad.
“The Christian ceremony’s backdrop is influenced by the vibe of Santorini, Greece. For the Gujarati shaadi, a mohalla was built, while huge replicas of famous temples from the south were created for the south Indian wedding. The Muslim nuptials take place in a banquet hall.”
The dance number was shot in four days, with Bosco Martis as the choreographer. The source adds, “Kartik was involved in the song from day one. He has danced his heart out in it.”
Satyaprem Ki Katha shoot to conclude with a special dance number featuring Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani
8:26 AM
Picturesque locations to be highlight of track that will see Satyaprem Ki Katha actor Kartik romance Kiara
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 22, 2023)
At the fag end of the filming process, the team behind Kartik Aaryan-starrer Satyaprem Ki Katha is set to conclude the shoot with a special dance number at a picturesque beach in suburban Mumbai.
A source close to the production says, “A massive set was erected for the song 10 days ago. A bungalow was booked for the shoot. There will be breathtaking views and a scenic backdrop that will enhance the visual appeal of the dance song. The team is keen to create a visually stunning spectacle.”
Choreographer Bosco Martis is set to infuse his energy into this special number. “The choreography is contemporary, and the music is groovy. The track will be shot over the week. The team started filming with Kartik today.”
Directed by Sameer Vidwans, the romance features Kiara Advani alongside Aaryan.
Shoot season kicks off in Kashmir as Shah Rukh Khan, Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani go filming
8:11 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; April 30, 2023)
It’s action time for film crews as they return to Kashmir for shoots. The picturesque landscapes of the region have, for long, been a favourite spot for filmmakers when it comes to filming romantic song sequences or weaving the local flavour into the storyline. Among the recent films being shot there is Dunki, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Taapsee Pannu, portions of which are being shot in Sonamarg, .
As per reports, SRK landed in Srinagar on Monday to film a sequence of the Rajkumar Hirani film. Reportedly, a huge security blanket has been thrown around the shoot location as well as the hotel where Khan is staying.
A source says, “SRK and Taapsee were in Sonamarg for a three-day shoot schedule. We are not at liberty to reveal the shoot sequence, but these shots were also set near Thajiwas Glacier, where Kiara Advani and Kartik Aaryan shot for their film.”
In early April, Kiara and Kartik shot Satyaprem Ki Katha in the Valley. Adding that shooting season has commenced in Kashmir, another source says, “When filmmakers come to shoot in Kashmir, they mostly film song sequences. Full-length films are shot only when the story is based against the backdrop of the Valley. Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg are the top three preferred locations. Besides, Dal Lake is the top choice when it comes to shooting in Srinagar.”
‘TRANSPORT COSTS, HOTEL STAY MAKESHOOTING IN KASHMIR EXPENSIVE’
Talking about permissions, some local crew members tell us that after the J&K Film shooting policy was formed in 2021, getting permissions from the Department of Tourism has become a lot easier. A local crew member says, “We keep getting calls for film shoots from production houses throughout the year. But only production units with deep pockets come to shoot in the Valley. Flight, transport and hotel costs make shooting in Kashmir slightly more expensive.”
Highlighting that the snow-capped mountains have generated an equal amount of interest in the south film industry, the crew member adds, “We have been receiving as many queries from the south film industry as we do from Bollywood.”
No big release in May, considered a profitable month for business; trade experts share their views
8:15 AM
With no big release in May, considered a profitable month for business, trade experts talk about the change and if it calls for worry yet
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 1, 2023)
After releases starring Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan kicking off the year, a lull seems to have set in at the box office. No big-ticket projects are slated to release this May — a month billed as a fecund period for the film business — and trade experts interpret it in various ways.
“With films (such as Jawan, Adipurush, Maidaan and Satyaprem Ki Katha) that have been announced in June, I don’t understand why they have missed May. It’s when summer vacation starts, and theatres would have been packed,” says trade expert Taran Adarsh.
Some feel no-release May is a ripple effect of the IPL, the viewership of the live broadcast of the first 29 matches of which has surpassed 40 crore — a 24% growth in TVR from 2022. “Pathaan got the box-office numbers, but there’s again been a drop in business,” notes trade expert Atul Mohan.
“During the IPL, evening and weekend shows get affected, which is also the time for box-office business. They have tried to avoid this clash this time, as the broadcast is available to watch free of cost,” he adds.
However, producer-trade analyst Girish Johar disagrees: “It shows lack of planning for releases. Films get affected only when there is a critical match. This move is like playing out a maiden over at a crucial stage in a T20 game.”
It could also be down to a “post-pandemic reset”, says film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi. He explains: “Usually, May is a busy month with the summer vacation knocking, and we should have more Hindi releases coming in. While that is not happening, there is a string of Hollywood films (such as Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3) and those from the southern industries. We hope that very soon, we have a consistent supply of Hindi films during every big-ticket period.”
Madhur Bhandarkar ascribes the downtime to a lull in production, insisting that it is not a matter for concern yet. “There has to be a strategic reason. IPL must have played a role, then the heat wave across the country. Production has gone down, and it reflects in releases,” says the filmmaker.
Satyaprem Ki Katha: Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani shot back-to-back for 2 garba songs that are set a year apart
8:28 AM
With Satyaprem Ki Katha in its last leg, sources say Kartik-Kiara shot back-to-back for two garba songs that are set a year apart in the film
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 29, 2023)
Music, dance and a celebratory mood seem to be dominating the sets of Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani’s Satyaprem Ki Katha. Director Sameer Vidwans completed shooting the talkie portions of the romantic drama by March-end, lining up four songs to be filmed by May.
While a romantic ballad was canned in Kashmir earlier this month, mid-day has now learnt that the actors shot for two garba numbers back-to-back at the Royal Gold Studio in Goregaon this week.
Sources tell us that the dance tracks are set a year apart in the narrative, with the first serving as the leads’ meet-cute. “In the first song, Kartik’s character Prem, who is a Gujarati boy, meets Kiara’s Satya for the first time at the garba, and falls in love with her. The second track is set a year later during the festivities, and sees Kartik’s character return to the same ground for nine nights, hoping to meet his ladylove, but he is conspicuous by her absence. Both have been designed as vibrant, colourful tracks with choreography by Vijay Ganguly. The unit wrapped up the second song yesterday,” reveals a source.
Clear that the two numbers had to look visually distinct despite their common theme, producer Sajid Nadiadwala and the director had separate sets built at the Goregaon studio. The source adds that production designer Rajat Poddarr referenced the work of some event management companies that put together garba nights.
“Along with DoP Manu Anand, he made sure that the two set-ups had nothing in common. While the unit was canning the romantic track in Kashmir, the production design team was building the sets in Mumbai, thus saving on time. Kartik has danced his heart out in these tracks, composed by Meet Brothers.”
Now, the final song, which serves as Aaryan’s introductory piece in the film, remains to be shot.
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