Showing posts with label Shaitaan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shaitaan. Show all posts
Industry makes you believe that only solo leads succeed but parallel leads are the way forward-R Madhavan
11:28 PM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; January 12, 2026)
Beyond its mammoth box-office success, Dhurandhar has emerged as one of the most talked-about Hindi films in recent times. Everyone seems to have an opinion – some are raving about its craft and entertainment value and calling it a game-changer for Indian cinema, while others have divergent views about its political stance. In an in-depth conversation with us, R Madhavan, who plays Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor, in the film, opens up about the film, his career choices and reinvention at 55.
‘DHURANDHAR SHOWS WHAT INDIANS ARE CAPABLE OF WHEN PUSHED TO THE EDGE’
Drawing a parallel with Hollywood, Madhavan explains, “America makes you believe that if there’s a problem anywhere in the world, only Americans can solve it. They’re always shown as having the answers, and that’s what turned Hollywood into a powerful form of soft power. Whether it’s an alien invasion or a global crisis, American films portray their people as powerful, intelligent and scientifically advanced. That’s why they command such a massive global following. In India, we have all of that too. Yet our stories have largely remained rooted in small towns and smaller mindsets. Dhurandhar shows what Indians are capable of when pushed to the edge; it all feels real.”
‘EVERYTHING SHOWN IN DHURANDHAR IS ROOTED IN REALITY’
The actor clarifies that the film clearly states at the outset that it is a fictional account inspired by real events.
He explains, “Everything shown is rooted in reality. We have been attacked, we have been bombed, a plane was hijacked in Kandahar, and 26/11 happened. So, who are these assailants? If they are our enemies, what are we doing about them? Crime must have repercussions, not just headlines. There are people in this country protecting us without our knowledge. Someone, somewhere, is doing their job right.”
He adds, “If, as a nation, we fail to acknowledge those who safeguard our freedom – be it the administration or the judiciary – we miss the larger picture. Yes, we have shortcomings and issues, but we are still a functioning democracy. Disagreements are natural, but nothing comes before the nation, and not everything is politically aligned.”
‘THE INDUSTRY MAKES YOU BELIEVE THAT ONLY SOLO LEADS SUCCEED, BUT THAT’S NOT TRUE’
From Alai Payuthey and Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein to Shaitaan and The Railway Men, R Madhavan’s filmography reflects a consistently diverse set of choices. At 55, with the burden of being a solo lead no longer defining his career, is he in a better creative space?
He believes so. “The reinvention is happening because I still feel I’m only at the threshold of giving the industry all that I’m capable of. I haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to the characters I can play. The films lined up will show you the faith directors and storytellers have in me,” he says.
Madhavan also challenges the long-held notion that only solo leads work. He says, “We’re products of conditioning. The industry makes you believe that only solo leads succeed. But if you look at Hollywood – Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson – they’ve all played parallel leads. My role in Shaitaan was a parallel lead. Some might call it a supporting role, but it wasn’t. In Rang De Basanti, I was on screen for barely nine minutes, yet it was one of the leads. In 3 Idiots, we were all leads.”
‘True solo leads rarely work today’
The actor points out that even in Tanu Weds Manu, the narrative demanded restraint. “It was Kangana’s character that was aggressive and required to take the lead. My job was to step back and let that happen. Similarly, in Dhurandhar, would you say Ranveer Singh isn’t the lead? If you look purely at screen time, he has the most. But the maturity to step back and allow another actor to carry the narrative – that’s what creates iconic films. Parallel leads are the way forward. Storytelling has evolved,” he shares.
Madhavan credits fellow actors for enabling such storytelling. He says, “I’m in awe of Ranveer Singh for allowing that space in Dhurandhar, and of Ajay Devgn for making it happen in Shaitaan. Take me out of Guru, and there’s no one to oppose Abhishek. True solo leads rarely work today. Films like KGF or Kantara are exceptions, not the rule.”
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‘I knew Dhurandhar would be a game-changer’
While the actor had anticipated Dhurandhar’s massive success, Madhavan admits he didn’t fully foresee the intensity of the debates it would spark. “When I heard the narration, I knew immediately that the film would be a game-changer. I expected the discussion to focus more on a social discourse – on what India has become,” he says.
I hope my Gujarati earns at least 50% of what the highest grossing film of this year did-Janki Bodiwala
11:21 PM
Kanksha Vasavada (BOMBAY TIMES; January 2, 2026)
2025 has been a year of milestones for Janki Bodiwala. With Vash Level 2 adding to her growing list of hit films, the actress, who won a National Award and completed 10 years in the industry, says, “I will forever be grateful to 2025.” Excerpts from a chat:
‘The feeling of winning a National Award is still sinking in’
For me, 2025 has been an exceptional year. At the beginning of the year, I was completely clueless about what would happen. But somehow, getting nominated for Shaitaan at several prestigious awards, winning some, and winning a National Award— all these things were unexpected. When I got to know that Vash had won the National Award for Best Gujarati Film, I was very happy. The very next moment, I got to know that I had won the National Award too (Best Supporting Actress), and I couldn’t believe it. That feeling is still sinking in. Taking my parents with me to the ceremony and standing in front of the who’s who of the entertainment industry felt like a dream.
‘Today, I realize how far I have come’
This year, I completed 10 years in the industry, with Chhello Divas also completing a decade. A decade ago, if I were to tell that Janki, who had just started her career, that she would achieve so many accolades in 10 years, I don’t think she would believe it. I don’t think anyone would, because the industry was at a very nascent stage. Today, I realize how far I have come, but there is still a long way to go. I remain grateful to Krishnadev Yagnik, who believed in me and gave me Vash, which led to Shaitaan and Vash Level 2, all of which made this year one of the best years of my life.
‘I want to build a different side of Janki’
In 2026, I want to press a restart button — for myself, my persona, and my career too. It is the beginning of a new decade for me. While I have received recognition and awards for whatever I have done in the past, now is the time to do something newer and bigger. I know most of it isn’t in my hands, but I will try and do different things. On the personal front, while I am an introvert and usually shy around people, I want to change that. I want to build a different side of Janki, who’s bolder. 2026 will start on an exciting note, as Mardaani 3 will be released soon. Also, having worked in Bollywood, I have had my own share of learnings and experiences. I will carry that forward while I enter the new industry.
‘I prefer celebrating 31st with my loved ones at home’
I am not a party person; I am an out-and-out introvert. Since 2010, I have had, like, six friends, and most of them have moved out of the country. Pichhle teen saal se main aur meri dost 12 baje ek swing pe baith ke New Year welcome karte hain (laughs). Then, I wear a mask and take a stroll around CG Road to see how people celebrate the night. I like to be surrounded by my loved ones while welcoming the New Year. That’s how it will be this year as well.
Janki shares, "On January 1, 2025, I was clueless about what I would do. But today, I am sure of how I will start my 2026. So, there is a big difference—I have clarity about what I want to do. 2025 started and ended on very different notes for me. The year also taught me not to expect anything and to keep working hard towards my aim. When you do that, everything else follows, so it’s important to believe in the process."
On her hopes for the Gujarati film industry, she shares, "This year has shown what our industry is capable of. All the films have been received well. In 2026, I want to do a good film that caters to all kinds of audiences. Also, I hope it earns at least 50 per cent of what the highest grossing film of this year did (smiles)."
Franchise flicks lose their shine as big bucks bounce back small
10:23 AM
High budget film series and sequels are struggling to generate buzz and recover costs
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 3, 2025)
Mumbai: Franchise films and sequels, once billed as sure-shot insurance against fickle audiences and shrinking theatre turnouts, are increasingly backfiring in India, with many high-budget releases struggling to generate buzz and failing to recover their massive investments.
In the first nine months of 2025, at least 10 big-ticket franchise films and sequels hit theatres, but most stumbled at the box office.
Among the biggest disappointments were Jolly LLB 3, Baaghi 4, War 2, Dhadak 2, Son Of Sardaar 2 and Housefull 5. War 2, a part of Yash Raj Films' ambitious Spy Universe, managed collections of just Rs 236.55 crore in India against a production budget estimated between Rs 300-400 crore, according to box office tracker Sacnilk.
Industry experts say the problem is that Bollywood builds its franchises as forced extensions rather than carefully thought-out universes.
"Hindi franchise films are not planned organically like Cinematic Universe films in the West. These films are made as an 'afterthought'," said scriptwriter Sudeep Nigam, known for the mini-series The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth. Nigam gave an example of the recent horror films. "I don't understand the connection between Shaitaan (2024) and Maa (2025). Shaitaan is a film about black magic. And Maa is a demon in a forest. Can these films belong to a universe because they share a theme?" he explained.
In the West, franchise films are planned well in advance and connected through consistent characters and narratives.
For instance, Marvel Studios planned for two years before it released its first Marvel Cinematic Universe film Iron Man in 2008. To date, the studio has released 33 films with careful planning in terms of budgets ($130-300 million range) and timeline (in six phases).
Lack of connection in stories between the original and the sequel has also added to the failure, especially of recent sequels and franchise extensions.
"Sequels must have plots which take stories of original films ahead. But this is not observed in recent sequels. These films are made just to cash in on the brand value built by original films. It is just weak writing," said Girish Johar, producer and film business expert.
In this context, scriptwriter Nigam cited an example of the Jolly LLB film series.
"The first two Jolly LLB films worked. Then, the idea of bringing together both heroes in a film sounded viable to its makers. But did the makers have a proper plot to justify their presence and create a proper franchise film?" Nigam explained.
After the pandemic, the box office outcome of films across geographies has become more unpredictable than in the pre-pandemic period, as films are either accepted wholeheartedly or shunned completely.
The days are gone when a film would do average business and break even. In this context, large production houses have been focusing on franchise films or sequels as they have an established audience base.
"As regards franchise films, there is too much reliance on the 'stardom' of stars rather than creating 'characters' which utilize their stardom, talent and add emotional depth to these films. Today, the story is a film's star, which makers are not fully recognizing yet," said Varun Kapoor, producer and founder of Brooken Reels Production, a film production company.
Trade analysts pointed out the poor performance of War 2 to its makers' excessive focus on the stardom of the film's stars. They noted that in the past six months at least fifty new franchise films and sequels have been announced in the industry. A few of these are Border 2, No Entry 2 and Awarapan 2.
Vash Level 2 director Krishnadev Yagnik on first film: "For years, people told me this idea won’t work"
10:37 PM
Vash Vivash Level 2 director Krishnadev Yagnik reveals how the first part, Vash, was initially dismissed by many before it became a hit at the box office and was remade as Ajay Devgn's Shaitaan
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 25, 2025)
Two years after his Gujarati horror film Vash (2023) was a sleeper hit at the box office, Krishnadev Yagnik is looking forward to its sequel Vash Vivash Level 2’s release. The director finds it gratifying that the first instalment, once dismissed as “too unconventional” for Gujarati cinema, not only became a box-office success but also inspired the Hindi adaptation, Shaitaan (2024).
Yagnik recalls, “For years, people told me this idea won’t work. When I first pitched Vash, the response was that such a psychological horror film was not suited for the Gujarati audience, but I believed in it. The movie proved that the audience is always ready for fresh storytelling.”
That conviction led him to make the sequel, which stars Janki Bodiwala and Hiten Kumar, and delves deeper into the world of black magic. Even as he is counting the days to its August 27 release, the director finds it surreal that his 2023 offering was picked up for adaptation by Ajay Devgn.
“Producer Murlidhar Chattwani saw Vash and felt it had the potential for a Hindi version. Soon, Kumar ji [Mangat Pathak] and Ajay sir watched it and liked it. That’s how the remake was set in motion. For me, it was a huge achievement to see my film being remade on a big scale with such a prestigious production house,” he shares.
I was so nervous that I referred to R Madhavan as Madhavansh-Shriyam Bhagnani
10:53 AM
With her maiden film, Sumo Didi, yet to release, Shriyam Bhagnani talks about her experience playing R Madhavan’s niece in her Bollywood debut Aap Jaisa Koi
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 15, 2025)
Originally, Shriyam Bhagnani was meant to make her Bollywood debut with Sumo Didi, a biopic of female Sumo wrestler Hetal Dave. While it has yet to see the light of day, the actor made her maiden film appearance over the weekend with Aap Jaisa Koi, led by R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh. It’s a joy to foray into Bollywood; the bigger joy, she says, is to do so with Madhavan, an actor she grew up admiring.
“I have been his fan [thanks to] 3 Idiots [2009], and recently, Shaitaan [2024]. His character in Shaitaan was intense. [When I met him], I told him I was scared of that character,” she laughs, before adding that the actor put her at ease with his warm nature. “In our first scene, I was so nervous that I referred to him as Madhavansh. He told me to relax, and we both laughed it off.”
In the Netflix release, Bhagnani plays Nisha, Madhavan’s niece, a quietly rebellious character navigating a patriarchal set-up. She credits director Vivek Soni for helping her understand her part better. “Vivek sir is clear about what he wants. He’d let me perform the scene and then give his feedback.”
Having kickstarted her Bollywood career, she is hoping that Sumo Didi — which sees her as the lead and has been ready since 2023 — will reach the audience soon. She says, “The film is not stuck. Jio Studios trusted me with a biopic, and I trust them to release it at the right moment.”
Ajay Devgn to choose between two possible stories for Shaitaan 2
8:16 AM
Ajay Devgn to choose between two possible stories for Shaitaan 2; while the team has an original script, actor is also in talks with Vash Level 2 makers to adapt the Gujarati film
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 19, 2025)
Shaitaan’s (2024) final moments teased a sequel as Ajay Devgn’s character locked up the antagonist, essayed by R Madhavan, in an underground chamber. Where can the story go from this point? The way Devgn sees it, in at least two dramatically different directions. Yesterday, it was reported that writer Aamil Keeyan Khan was scripting the horror drama’s second instalment (Back to black magic, June 18).
Now, mid-day has learnt that while Khan’s script — an original — is ready, actor and producer Devgn is also contemplating making the sequel a straight adaptation of the upcoming Gujarati movie, Vash Level 2. With two possible stories for Shaitaan 2, sources say the actor will take a call after gauging the audience’s reaction to Vash Level 2, which will release in August.
Also starring Jyotika and Janki Bodiwala, Shaitaan was an adaptation of Vash (2023), albeit with significant changes in the climax. So, Devgn’s interest in its sequel is natural.
A source reveals, “Vash Level 2 begins 12 years after the first part, with the protagonist realising that the evil force hasn’t entirely left his daughter. Unlike Vash, which saw the protagonist’s wife and son dying, Shaitaan had a happy ending with Ajay’s character saving his daughter and reuniting with the family. As the two endings were different, Shaitaan’s makers decided to pen an original story for the second instalment, while retaining the backstory. At the same time, Ajay and his team have been in talks with Vash Level 2’s writer-director Krishnadev Yagnik; they might acquire the Gujarati film’s rights if it’s a box-office success. In that case, Ameel will adapt it for the Hindi film audience.”
Besides Devgn and Madhavan, Jyotika and Bodiwala will reprise their roles in Shaitaan 2, which will be helmed by Vikas Bahl.
The source adds, “This time around, the plan is to give Ajay a more aggressive role compared to the passive one he played in the first edition.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 881
8:20 PM
BHOOL CHUK MAAF’S SUDDEN THEATRICAL CANCELLATION SENDS SHOCKWAVES
Bhool Chuk Maaf was all set to be released in cinemas tomorrow, that is, May 9. The advance booking had started and even the press show invites were sent out to the members of the media. But at 11:00 am on May 8, the makers announced that they won’t be releasing the film tomorrow and moreover, it’ll never see the light of day in cinemas! They further revealed that the film will premiere on OTT, on Amazon Prime Video, on May 16.
The statement read, “In light of the recent events and the heightened security drills across the nation, we at Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios have decided to bring our family entertainer, Bhool Chuk Maaf, directly to your homes on May 16—only on Prime Video, worldwide. While we were eagerly looking forward to celebrating the film with you in theatres, the spirit of the nation comes first. Jai Hind.”
There were murmurs that Bhool Chuk Maaf might get delayed by a week as there might be military escalations between India and Pakistan, leading to a tense situation in the country. Hence, many were prepared for it. But the makers not just pushed the release by a week, they also decided to bypass the theatrical route. The exhibitors are obviously angry. The situation reminded them of the dark days of the pandemic. But those days were different as cinemas were shut and there was a fear of going to cinemas. At present, cinemas are open and there’s no fear at all.
The holdover releases faced a dent in collections on Wednesday, May 7, due to the news coverage about Operation Sindoor. But it was not alarming and it's not like people will skip leisure activities and focus only on the developments across the border, the next few days. Also, the exhibitors feel that the makers could have probably waited and brought their film in cinemas a week or two later. Cancelling the theatrical release has led to disappointment and dejection among cinema owners.
As of 10:00 am on May 8, Bhool Chuk Maaf had sold around 5000 tickets. It could have opened at around Rs. 3 crores and if content was strong, the film would have collected Rs. 14-15 crores in its first weekend. With no competition from any major Hindi release until June 6, the film had the chance to be a sleeper hit. Last year, Srikanth, also starring Rajkummar Rao, was released in the same week and took advantage of negligible competition, collecting around Rs. 48-50 crores. Bhool Chuk Maaf could have followed suit.
Meanwhile, Raid 2 will now have a further advantage. The Ajay Devgn-starrer opened at a huge Rs. 19.25 crores, much more than Rs. 11-12 crores that was expected from it. At the end of Week 1, it is expected to collect around Rs. 94 crores. Last year, Ajay Devgn’s Shaitaan managed to collect Rs. 145 crores plus and also had the benefit of an open run. It managed to do so despite collecting Rs. 80 crores in Week 1. Raid 2 has earned more in its initial week and therefore, it won’t be a surprise if it manages to clock a huge number in its lifetime.
Bhool Chuk Maaf was all set to be released in cinemas tomorrow, that is, May 9. The advance booking had started and even the press show invites were sent out to the members of the media. But at 11:00 am on May 8, the makers announced that they won’t be releasing the film tomorrow and moreover, it’ll never see the light of day in cinemas! They further revealed that the film will premiere on OTT, on Amazon Prime Video, on May 16.
The statement read, “In light of the recent events and the heightened security drills across the nation, we at Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios have decided to bring our family entertainer, Bhool Chuk Maaf, directly to your homes on May 16—only on Prime Video, worldwide. While we were eagerly looking forward to celebrating the film with you in theatres, the spirit of the nation comes first. Jai Hind.”
There were murmurs that Bhool Chuk Maaf might get delayed by a week as there might be military escalations between India and Pakistan, leading to a tense situation in the country. Hence, many were prepared for it. But the makers not just pushed the release by a week, they also decided to bypass the theatrical route. The exhibitors are obviously angry. The situation reminded them of the dark days of the pandemic. But those days were different as cinemas were shut and there was a fear of going to cinemas. At present, cinemas are open and there’s no fear at all.
The holdover releases faced a dent in collections on Wednesday, May 7, due to the news coverage about Operation Sindoor. But it was not alarming and it's not like people will skip leisure activities and focus only on the developments across the border, the next few days. Also, the exhibitors feel that the makers could have probably waited and brought their film in cinemas a week or two later. Cancelling the theatrical release has led to disappointment and dejection among cinema owners.
As of 10:00 am on May 8, Bhool Chuk Maaf had sold around 5000 tickets. It could have opened at around Rs. 3 crores and if content was strong, the film would have collected Rs. 14-15 crores in its first weekend. With no competition from any major Hindi release until June 6, the film had the chance to be a sleeper hit. Last year, Srikanth, also starring Rajkummar Rao, was released in the same week and took advantage of negligible competition, collecting around Rs. 48-50 crores. Bhool Chuk Maaf could have followed suit.
Meanwhile, Raid 2 will now have a further advantage. The Ajay Devgn-starrer opened at a huge Rs. 19.25 crores, much more than Rs. 11-12 crores that was expected from it. At the end of Week 1, it is expected to collect around Rs. 94 crores. Last year, Ajay Devgn’s Shaitaan managed to collect Rs. 145 crores plus and also had the benefit of an open run. It managed to do so despite collecting Rs. 80 crores in Week 1. Raid 2 has earned more in its initial week and therefore, it won’t be a surprise if it manages to clock a huge number in its lifetime.
I haven’t found anything concrete to either do Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein 2 or Tanu Weds Manu 3-R Madhavan
10:18 AM
R Madhavan on choosing meaningful and bold roles over fame, staying grounded, and playing a 48-year-old lead in Aap Jaisa Koi
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 4, 2025)
Actors are often asked, “How do you know the pulse of the people?” While few have an answer to this, R Madhavan was refreshingly candid in his take on it. “By being alone with the people,” he tells us. With more than three decades in the entertainment industry, the actor has figured out how to make his complex on-screen characters relatable and true to the context. To ensure that he interacts with people from all walks of life, Madhavan doesn’t let his entourage tag along everywhere.
“I walk around as alone as possible. It keeps me in touch with common people. I want to know the price of lentils and potatoes from the local vegetable vendor. I want to sit with the tech geeks and learn about the next version of the AI. If I’m behaving like a star in front of them, those doors get closed quickly,” he explains.
He reveals that he learnt about black magic for Shaitaan (2024) and understood Indian aerospace scientist Nambi Narayanan for Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022) after a conversation with someone he met on a flight. “I never fear a good risk. Even if it goes wrong, at least you went down blazing. I’d rather go for glorious failure than compromised success any day.”
Despite his many years in the film industry, Madhavan has been selective with his work. He claims he would rather be remembered for a few good films than burden himself with repetitive roles.
“Early on in my career, when I heard people say that if it is an Aamir [Khan] film, the content is bound to be good — that’s something I was dying to have people say about my work. And I have tried to make those choices,” expresses the star.
He shares that 3 Idiots (2009) has reformed the thought process of an entire generation of parents, not just in India. “They come and tell me how it has changed their life,” he says, adding, “I try to not get stereotyped. The only sequel I’ve ever done is Tanu Weds Manu [2011] because the script was so justifiable. I haven’t had the luxury of doing a franchise film where I’m able to repeat the same characters because they worked. I would have loved to. So easy to just sit back and do five films like that till they fail and then do something else.”
No more romances for Maddy!
After decades of doing romcoms, R Madhavan is now avoiding the genre because “nothing is age-appropriate”. While most romcoms these days are associated with teenagers, he believes that people between the ages of 45 and 55 are more romantic. He has wrapped up Aap Jaisa Koi, where he plays a 48-year-old unmarried man romancing Fatima Sana Shaikh’s 29-year-old character.
When asked about the gossip surrounding a Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein sequel, he says, “They ask me too. I haven’t found anything concrete to either do Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein 2 or Tanu Weds Manu 3. It’s all speculation.” He also has De De Pyaar De 2, Dhurandhar, a Tamil sci-fi film Bridge and a Tamil series titled Legacy.
Top 25 films of 2024; only 5 hits in the year and 6 films crossed the 100 cr mark
8:38 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The box office results in 2024 were pretty much a disaster as the the top 25 films accumulated around 2250 crore nett when the same was done in 2019 by just 12 films. Also, in 2019, there was no mega grosser like STREE 2 which is contributing 25% of the collections of the top twenty five films.
It is a dire strait of affairs and at the moment, there does not seem a way out with satellite and digital markets crashing. On top of it, the films are generally not getting the desired box office results which is resulting in the production sector practically at a stand still. Only the box office can turnaround the satellite and digital markets on which the industry is so dependent. Even when a film does well, it does not help the scenario much as generally films are doing far below what is expected of them.
There were four films to get to the 200 crore nett mark but for the likes of SINGHAM AGAIN and FIGHTER, these are mediocre totals as these two were the biggest original Hindi films of the year. SINGHAM AGAIN got there mainly due to Diwali in Mumbai circuit and FIGHTER got some decent numbers in South but faced mass rejection in Hindi circuits. Today, 200 crore is just around 1.25 crore footfalls which is not much of an ask from the bigger films.
The stand outs were STREE 2 and MUNJYA with support from BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3, SHAITAAN and ARTICLE 370. Hence, there were just five HITS in the whole year from the Hindi film industry and this does not look like getting better anytime soon.
The top twenty five films of 2024 are as follows.
1. Stree 2 - 5,79,61,00,000
2. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 - 2,50,71,00,000
3. Singham Again - 2,38,46,00,000
4. Fighter - 2,00,01,00,000
5. Shaitaan - 1,48,54,00,000
6. Munjya - 1,00,07,50,000
7. Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya - 82,59,00,000
8. Crew - 81,57,00,000
9. Article 370 - 77,08,00,000
10. Bad Newz - 63,54,50,000
11. Chandu Champion - 60,78,00,000
12. Bade Miyan Chotte Miyan - 58,74,50,000
13. Maidaan - 51,16,00,000
14. Srikanth - 46,03,50,000
15. Khel Khel Mein - 40,80,00,000
16. Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video - 39,49,75,000
17. Madgaon Express - 35,72,50,000
18. Baby John - 34,86,50,000
19. Mr & Mrs Mahi - 34,52,00,000
20. Yodha - 32,20,00,000
21. The Sabarmati Report - 32,14,00,000
22. Jigra - 31,12,00,000
23. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar - 24,49,00,000
24. Kill - 23,68,50,000
25. Sarfira - 23,55,50,000
Panorama Studios to remake Turkish film Dabbe
8:53 AM
Panorama Studios to remake Turkish film Dabbe, unveils movie franchise with a combination of horror and black magic themes
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; January 15, 2025)
Mumbai: Production and distribution company Panorama Studios will remake Turkish film Dabbe in Hindi, as the production and distribution house known for movies such as Drishyam, Raid and Shaitaan prepares to create a full-fledged horror film franchise.
"The Turkish horror film Dabbe has a gripping narrative and cultural nuances that make its horror deeply unsettling," said Panorama Studios chairman Kumar Mangat Pathak. "We saw an opportunity to adapt its unique storytelling to connect with Indian audiences while preserving the essence of what made it so impactful."
The company will create a horror cinematic universe that will deal with a combination of horror and black magic themes, he said.
Panorama Studios will be the second production company to create a franchise specifically dedicated to the horror genre in India. Recently, Maddock Films - known for producing one of the biggest blockbusters in Hindi, Stree 2 - announced a slate of eight new films which will be expanding its well-established horror movie series such as Stree, Munjya and Bhediya in the next three years.
Apart from the Dabbe remake, Panorama Studios plans to build a franchise of the movie Shaitaan, which will include two additional films. It also plans to remake Shaitaan in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. Recently, the studio announced a horror comedy film, Jhalak.
"Audience for horror films in India is quite large. The appetite for these films is very high. Importantly, the theme pulls audiences to theatres. But very few horror films are being made in Hindi," said producer Rajesh Nair, known for films such as Kaminey and Adipurush.
"A horror film works well if it gets the three elements right: good writing, thrills and, of course, the horror in the film. A clear example is the film Munjya, which had no stars or known faces. It worked on the power of its storytelling," he said, adding: "These are actually grandmother tales, which never fail in their charm and pull. Problems arise when makers focus away from writing and try to make 'projects' out of these films by making them bigger in scale."
It is estimated that a horror film combined with different genres such as comedy, drama and thriller generally attracts at least 25% higher footfalls in theatres than a non-horror film. Also, a concept-based horror movie does not entail high investments like a spectacle or epic film.
"The horror genre is the most profitable across languages not only in India but also Hollywood. In fact, Blumhouse Productions in Hollywood is an entire production house dedicated to horror films," said producer and film business expert Girish Johar. "I think horror films will revive the sentiment in the industry which is in doldrums right now."
Last year, the theme of horror ruled not only the Hindi box office but also in the southern markets. In Hindi, films such as Stree 2, Shaitaan, Munjya and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 performed well, while Bramayugam and Aranmanai 4 recorded high collections in the South.
Interestingly, the re-released horror film Tumbbad (2018) collected Rs. 52.2 crore at the box office. The horror genre has caught on so well in the Indian film industry that makers are experimenting with it by combining it with different genres. Recently, a sea-horror action-adventure trilogy called Kingston was announced, which will be released in Telugu and Hindi in March this year.
Bollywood in 2024 saw a mix of scares, sequels and surprises
8:53 AM
Bollywood’s 2024 saw a mix of scares, sequels and surprises, with horror hits and small-budget triumphs outshining big-budget disappointments
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 31, 2024)
If 2023 marked Bollywood’s comeback year with a blockbuster revival, 2024 has been a “semi-hit” year, unanimously state trade experts. “The year started with a whimper,” rues trade analyst Taran Adarsh, adding, “Fighter (first release of this year starring Hritik Roshan-Deepika Padukone) didn’t meet expectations, especially with (filmmaker) Siddharth Anand riding high after Pathaan. It ended similarly with Baby John, which crashed on day two. Between these films, it’s been a case of kabhi kabhi khushi, kabhi bahut saara gham. Last year, we had four Rs. 500-crore grossers — Pathaan, Jawan, Gadar 2 and Animal. This year, big-budget films like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Maidaan tanked, and even Singham Again fell short of expectations.”
‘SCARY’ NEW SUCCESS
Surprisingly, horror turned out to be Bollywood’s lucky charm this year. Films like Munjya, Shaitaan, Stree 2: Sarkate Ka Aatank and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 broke genre barriers. Trade expert Atul Mohan observes, “Horror has been a hit-or-miss genre for our industry. These films changed that narrative.”
RE-RELEASES RULE
Old films found new love in 2024. The Avinash Tiwary-Triptii Dimri-starrer Laila Majnu (2018) became a sensation during its re-release. Similarly, Rockstar (2011), starring Ranbir Kapoor, saw renewed love. Movies such as Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein (2001) and Veer-Zaara (2004) also pulled crowds to theatres. This trend shows no signs of slowing, with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) gearing up for a return.
SMALL TO MID-BUDGET FILMS
A major conversation this year revolved around escalating production costs and actor fees. Consequently, films made on controlled budgets stood out. Munjya, made on Rs. 30 crore, tripled its investment. Its director, Aditya Sarpotdar, says, “Even we didn’t anticipate these numbers, because it starred newcomers, was local in its flavour, had a CGI character.”
Yami Gautam’s Article 370 and Prasanth Varma’s HanuMan were other winners, with HanuMan delivering an impressive 241% ROI on a Rs. 25-crore budget.
Another triumph of controlled budgets was Laapataa Ladies. Sarpotdar credits its success to producer support: “Aamir Khan backing the movie further elevated its success. Even small profits matter when you consider the economics.”
FRANCHISE FACTOR
Franchise films continued to wield power this year, with Pushpa 2 – The Rule raking in massive numbers, especially from its Hindi-dubbed version. Other sequels like Stree 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (BB3) also performed exceptionally well.
Anees Bazmee, director of BB3, says, “Sequels enjoy goodwill, but you must deliver a good film. If one part fails, it’s not just the film that suffers; the entire franchise collapses.”
BIG HITS BUDGET BOX OFFICE
STREE 2
Budget: Rs. 60 crore
Box Office: Rs. 579 crore
PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE
Budget: Rs. 450 crore
Box Office: Rs. 700 crore
MUNJYA
Budget: Rs. 30 crore
Box Office: Rs. 107 crore
SHAITAAN
Budget: Rs. 60 crore
Box Office: Rs. 148 crore
BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3
Budget: Rs. 150 crore
Box Office: Rs. 245 crore
KALKI 2898AD
Budget: Rs. 600 crore
Box Office: Rs. 285 crore
ARTICLE 370
Budget: Rs. 20 crore
Rs. 77 crore
BIG MISSES
BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN
Budget: Rs. 350 crore
Box Office: Rs. 59 crore
FIGHTER
Budget: Rs. 250 crore
Box Office: Rs. 200 crore
BABY JOHN
Budget: Rs. 160 crore
Box Office: Rs. 19 crore
MAIDAAN
Budget: Rs. 250 crore
Box Office: Rs. 51 crore
JIGRA
Budget: Rs. 80 crore
Box Office: Rs. 31 crore
India among key drivers of Netflix's paid net subscriber additions
9:05 AM
Heeramandi becomes Netflix India’s biggest series with 15 m views
Javed Farooqui (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; July 19, 2024)
India ranked second in terms of paid net subscriber additions globally for video streaming giant Netflix in the June quarter, and third by revenue percentage growth, backed by a strong content lineup headlined by ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ web series.
Netflix's paid net additions stood at 8 million in Q2 compared to 5.9 million in the same period last year. Its global paid subscriber base stood at 278 million.
Revenue for the quarter grew 17% to $9.5 billion, while net income rose 45% to $2.1 billion.
Netflix said in a letter to shareholders for Q2 2024 that 'Heeramandi' is its biggest drama series in India, fetching 15 million views. ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ movie followed with 8.3 million views. Licenced films such as ‘Laapataa Ladies’ and ‘Shaitaan’ also helped drive subscriber additions.
Netflix also said ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ ranked among its most-popular shows globally in Q2 along with ‘Bridgerton S3’, ‘Baby Reindeer’, and ‘Queen Of Tears’.
According to Media Partners Asia, Netflix had 12 million paid subscribers in India. As per regulatory filings, Netflix Entertainment Services India reported a 24% growth in revenue at Rs 2,214 crore in FY23. Net profit jumped 75% to Rs 35 crore during the year.
“It's truly remarkable how our series and films have made a significant impact on a global scale. Heeramandi becoming our biggest Indian drama series to date is a testament to this. We are focused on engagement as the single most important indicator of success because when our members watch more, they stick around longer," said Netflix India vice president incharge of content Monika Shergill.
She noted that 2024 has been a great year for Netflix, with healthy engagement across films and series as well as a steady growth in subscribers.
Speaking at the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet & Communications conference in May, Netflix VP of finance, corporate development, and investor relations Spencer Wang noted that the platform is growing quickly in India.
Wang also said that India is an important country for Netflix and a very competitive one. While noting that Indian consumers have a lot of choice, Spencer said the platform's job is to just improve its offerings so that they resonate with the Indian consumer.
‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ and ‘Heeramandi’ were among the popular titles, creating 1.1 billion organic impressions on Netflix India's social channels.
Netflix India had earlier announced it would release 14 shows and eight films in 2024. The platform has lined up non-fiction content including ‘Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli’, ‘Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale’, and ‘Yo Yo Honey Singh’.
Films and series on the platform include returning seasons of ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein’, ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’, ‘Fabulous Lives Vs. Bollywood Wives’, besides ‘Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba’, and Anubhav Sinha’s gripping drama ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’. The platform will also stream feature films like Do Patti and Vijay 69.
Half Yearly Classification 2024: Kalki 2898 AD and Munjya are the biggest hits of the year
8:25 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The box office has been a struggle in 2024 and there has been no big BLOCKBUSTER in the first half of the year. The last month in the first half proved to be good with the two biggest HITS of the year (MUNJYA and KALKI 2898 AD) coming in this month.
KALKI 2898 AD is the biggest HIT of the first half and it could have been even bigger if the mass circuits continued how they started as then the film could have been looking at the 300 crore nett mark or thereabouts. But post the weeeknd collections started to drop in B and C centres and single screens. However, the bigger centres have sustained extremely well.
MUNJYA is the sleeper HIT of the year driven by BLOCKBUSTER business in Maharashtra. The film will finish up with business of around 100 crore nett which would be unthinkable before release although the trailer was decent due to the creature. The film is the biggest original Hindi film of the year so far.
SRIKANTH was also another surprise winner in the second quarter which took full benefit of the open run in May and had a solid sustained run for weeks. SHAITAAN and ARTICLE 370 were the HIT films of the first quarter while TERI BAATON MEIN AISA ULJHA JIYA and CREW also did well.
The second half is likely to see a BLOCKBUSTER with PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE but it is a film from the South and the Hindi film industry will also need to deliver one or two big HITS just to build confidence. If that doesn't happen, it will be pretty much a disaster year.
The half yearly classification for 2024 is as follows.
All Time Blockbuster
-
Super Blockbuster
-
Blockbuster
-
Super Hit
1. KALKI 2898 AD
2. MUNJYA
Hit
3. SHAITAAN
4. ARTICLE 370
Semi Hit
5. TERI BAATON MEIN AISA ULJA JIYA
6. CREW
7. SRIKANTH
Average
8. FIGHTER
9. MADGAON EXPRESS
Below Average
10. SWATANTRYA VEER SAVARKAR
11. LAAPATAA LADIES
The depiction of South in Bollywood is usually wrong-Jyotika
8:28 AM
While Jyotika is happy that she’s had two Hindi film releases recently, the actor hopes to go beyond stereotypes; admits that she’s now looking for longer and more meaningful roles
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 4, 2024)
Jyotika has made a return to Bollywood this year with two back-to-back films, Shaitaan and Srikanth. “The comeback was a surprise for me. It happened very organically. For 25 years, there was no sound and suddenly these two films made such noise,” she says. The actor made her Hindi film debut with Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998).
But all these years, Tamil cinema kept her busy, with films such as Raatchasi (2019), Udanpirappe (2021) and Chandramukhi 2 (2023) to her credit. She believes she has returned to Hindi films during the “best phase” of Indian cinema.
“But, in Bollywood, I’m still waiting for the kind of roles I am used to doing in the South. I chose these films as they are beautiful stories, but I am looking for more as an actor, in terms of the length of my role in a film,” she elaborates.
Jyotika admits that the Hindi film industry often sticks to stereotypical portrayals of people from down South in their films. “I agree that some things are over-the-top in the South; we love idli-sambar and action films, but how it’s depicted is definitely overdone. It might be done in good spirits, but frankly, they do get it wrong most of the time,” she asserts.
Recalling the days when she started doing films down South, the actor says, “I saw people weren’t watching a lot of Hindi films there. In Bollywood, people would make fun of the South with (actor) Rajinikanth memes.” But she admits that things are changing. “On the set of Shaitaan, (actor) R Madhavan and I were treated with a lot of respect. Ajay (Devgn, actor) made us feel equal to him. They recognized we are big artistes and not just regional actors,” says the actor.
She shares that venturing into Tamil cinema wasn’t a choice. Accepting that the failure of her first Hindi film “was upsetting”, she adds, “There were many female actors who came in around that time, including Kareena (Kapoor Khan), Rani (Mukerji) and Preity (G Zinta). They were the lucky ones whose films worked.”
While she did look for some work in Bollywood after her debut, it felt futile: “It wasn’t working out. Your first film has to be a hit for the actor in you to be recognized. After that, I did one film in the South, which didn’t do well either, but they recognized my talent. That is a little difference I saw in both the industries.”
Mumbai circuit gets back on track; Fighter collects better than Dunki
8:41 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The Mumbai circuit has seen poor returns post the pandemic but has seen a good upturn this year driven by the major centres in Maharashtra. The Thane belt was doing well since cinema returned in 2021 but this year has seen Mumbai city and Pune also start recording some good numbers.
The Mumbai and Delhi/UP circuit had got pretty similar in the 21-23 period for films in a certain zone. It is likely that if CREW and TERI BAATON MEIN AISA ULJHA JIYA came in 2022, they would not have got these numbers in Mumbai circuit and numbers will be closer to the Delhi/UP numbers.
The 60 crore nett plus number of the biggest grosser FIGHTER is not great but despite being an action film, it has beaten DUNKI which has a genre is better for Mumbai circuit and that too directed by Rajkumar Hirani whose films score heavy in Mumbai circuit due to humour element.
Films like MADGAON EXPRESS and SWATANTRYA VEER SAVARKAR are actually HIT films in Mumbai circuit though they met with a horrible fate outside the circuit. ARTICLE 370 was the standout in Mumbai this year though other circuits again were not as good. This would also have been tough a year or two back.
This circuit getting better numbers is the only good news in the crisis facing the film industry and its coming with the Gujarat side not really doing well. No film has done well in Gujarat this year and when both Maharashtra and Gujarat fire, it makes a huge difference.
The top ten films of 2024 in Mumbai circuit are as follows
1. Fighter - 62,04,00,000
2. Shaitaan - 46,64,00,000 (8 weeks)
3. Article 370 - 32,40,00,000 (10 weeks)
4. Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya - 27,28,50,000
5. Crew - 25,15,00,000 (5 Weeks)
6. Madgaon Express - 18,60,00,000 (6 weeks)
7. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan - 17,65,00,000 (3 weeks)
8. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar - 16,80,00,000 (6 weeks)
9. Maidaan - 15,75,00,000 (3 weeks)
10. Laapataa Ladies - 6,15,00,000 (9 weeks)
After a record 2023, box-office kitty may decline this year
8:44 AM
Gross collections to fall 15% based on data from first three months of this year: Ormax Media
Javed Farooqui (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; April 20, 2024)
Gross movie box office collections for 2024 in India are projected to drop 15% to Rs. 10,360 crore on the basis of data from the first three months of the year, following a record high in 2023, research firm Ormax Media said in its latest box-office report. The Indian box-office collection reached an all-time high of Rs. 12,226 crore in 2023, registering a 15% growth over 2022. The previous box office record was Rs. 10,948 crore in 2019.
Hindi films had a 36% share of the box-office collection, followed by Telugu and Malayalam films with 23% and 16% shares, respectively. Both Hollywood and Tamil films had a 9% share of the box-office collection. The cumulative box-office collection registered 7% year-on-year growth to touch Rs. 2,590 crore in Q1 2024, despite a lacklustre performance in February. Seven films earned more than Rs. 100 crore at the box-office during the quarter.
"March has proven to be a healthy month for the domestic box-office with collections totalling Rs. 971 crore. The diverse lineup of films across languages includes Shaitaan, leading the pack with Rs. 173 crore," said Sanket Kulkarni, head of business development (theatrical) at Ormax Media.
He added Malayalam cinema continues its remarkable streak with Aadujeevitham - The Goat Life joining the ranks of successful films, bringing the total collections for Malayalam cinema to Rs. 405 crore, constituting 71% of the entire Malayalam box office in 2023.
"The net box-office collections have dropped by 20% to Rs. 900 crore in Q1 2024 compared to the same quarter last year. The second quarter is also looking unimpressive, with no major releases planned for May. With setbacks in two back-to-back quarters, we have large recoveries to make in the last two quarters of 2024," says film business expert Girish Johar.
In Q1, Fighter (Hindi) and Hanuman (Telugu) had the highest box office collections of Rs. 243 crore and Rs. 241 crore, respectively. Both Manjummel Boys (Malayalam) and Shaitaan (Hindi) had collections of Rs. 173 crore
Guntur Kaaram (Tamil), Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (Hollywood), and Aadujeevitham-The Goat Life (Malayalam) collected Rs. 142 crore, Rs. 129 crore, and Rs. 102 crore, respectively. During the quarter, March saw the highest monthly box-office collections of Rs. 971 crore on the back of strong performances by Shaitaan, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and Aadujeevitham.
In January, the box-office collections stood at Rs. 934 crore, with Fighter, Hanuman, and Guntur Kaaram dominating the list. February saw a modest box-office collection of Rs. 685 crore with just two films, Manjummel Boys and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, attaining receipts of over Rs. 100 crore.
2024's first quarter is decent; Shaitaan is the true bonafide hit in the first three months
8:43 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The industry has seen a pretty decent first quarter as the exhibition sector fared the worst as the biggest film of the quarter FIGHTER did not live upto expectations. But its been a steady run post FIGHTER and some films have managed to make a mark.
There is an issue with very little content. There are just ten films which have gone over 10 crore nett which is hardly a number and they are below. These will be the films with some sort of awareness or face value that were released in the first quarter.
The classifications of those ten main films are as follows.
Merry Christmas (FLOP): A mystery thriller film with vey little for theatres and a film that would only do well in Mumbai city even if liked. These sort of filsms will be available in hundreds for audiences on television at home.
Fighter (AVERAGE): The film is the highest grosser of the year but could not fair well in mass circuits. Its not about the planes or anything but the landscape has changed in these areas and its about raw and rustic films driven by the storylines rather than Hollywood type of action. TIGER 3 also had a similar struggle and Hollywood films are finding it tough going in the Hindi circuits. FIGHTER had stars and music but the appeal remained limited and its a lot to do with how much these mass circuits have changed post pandemic. If we take the fact that it did not release in Gulf then, there was an outperformance overseas. However, the final number does not suggest that as its without Gulf.
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Ulja Jiya (SEMI HIT): The film did very well for its genre driven by the music. The music was not blockbuster but the fact that it had music and it was good enough which is more than what most films have. The was pushed by the buy one get one offer but it does look that offers will not help if the audience is not with the. So, the benefit of the offer is probably very limited.
Article 370 (HIT): The first HIT of the year which proved a SUPER HIT in Mumbai circuit. The film did extremely well for its budget but it was a costly acquisition and with streaming likely to be in house it was about India theatrical for recovery. Nevertheless, the film actually pulled it of very well.
Crakk (DISASTER): The heavily budget action film for the face value but this sort of action content is just not relatable to the mass centres where it has to score.
Laapataa Ladies (FLOP): A ladies film looking by its name and which has trended well in its run holding well every week but it just could not find much of an audience. The trending of the film can be called respectable. However, that hardly matters when there are no overall numbers.
Shaitaan (HIT): The true bonafide HIT of the first quarter which did well all over. The film was a psychological/horror film but the family sentiments worked strongly for the film. The box office today is about reaching the mass and it's basically going back to the 80's. What happened here was when the big budgets were not there, the films catering to family sentiments emerged winners at the box office. Today, any genre will work as long as it has these family sentiments as this is where the reach will come from. SHAITAAN was devoid of music which is the other way to push the reach but still did the trick.
Yodha (FLOP): A urban action film on a hijacking and when a FIGHTER struggled for reach with the mass audiences, it was always going to be tough for this film. Action films made in Hindi for urban audiences have never done well although there maybe some exceptions but those will be very few if any.
Madgaon Express (FLOP): A Goa holiday/trip film which pretty much seals the fate in most of the country with the trailer itself. For some reason, the industry actually had hope for the film. The film did better in Mumbai circuit but even there, the numbers were still poor. Rest of the circuits were very dull.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (FLOP): A film on a Maharashtrian political figure which had no scope outside Maharashtra. The plus is that it will do around 15 crore nett in the state of Maharashtra which means some sort of acceptance here. But its a Hindi film and rest of India is extremely dull with practically no collections.
Crew (SEMI HIT/AVERAGE): The last release of the quarter which has done pretty well. The film has scored very well in North (NCR and East Punjab) and along with SHAITAAN is the only other film to do so. The film will have shortened run due to Eid which will hold back the numbers. It has had decent run nevertheless and is an out performer in Overseas.
Outside the organic Hindi movies, the dubbed SOUTH film HANUMAN proved to be a HIT while GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE was also a HIT. The latter was just AVERAGE in Hindi circuits but the business in the South took it to HIT status.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 824
7:38 PM
2024'S FIRST QUARTER ENDS ON A HAPPY NOTE
The first three months of 2024 are over and overall, it has been satisfactory though it could have been better. 2023's first quarter saw a Hindi film crossing the Rs. 500 crore mark for the first time with Pathaan. Most of the other films in the first three months last year didn't do well. Yet, the blockbuster numbers of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer spread cheer in the industry.
2024's first quarter, meanwhile, saw just one film barely crossing the Rs. 200 crore mark - Fighter. It was expected to do more than Rs. 300 crores, looking at the word of mouth. The way it dropped on the weekdays in the first week, it seemed like it might not even reach Rs. 175 crores in its lifetime. Thankfully, it held well in the subsequent weeks.
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, meanwhile, was a surprise hit. The reviews were mixed. However, the audience took to the film and it ended up collecting more than Rs. 80 crores. Article 370 will also end up with collections in the same range.
Shaitaan, on the other hand, was a rare horror film starring A-listers. It had a superb opening and maintained very well. It is expected to end its run with collections amounting to Rs. 145-150 crores.
Crew, which was released last Friday, had an impressive opening and if all goes well, it will have a lifetime in the range of Rs. 75 and 90 crores.
Another success, albeit a small one, was Laapataa Ladies. Thanks to outstanding word of mouth and the association of Aamir Khan, it slowly attracted a section of the audience. It'll end with Rs. 15 crore collections, which was unthinkable in its first week.
A dubbed version and Hollywood flicks also saw some success. Hanuman was released with low expectations and went on to collect Rs. 50 crores in Hindi. Kung Fu Panda 4 will accumulate nearly Rs. 35 crores or even more. Last week's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire can cross the Rs. 100 crore mark.
And like any other quarter, there were some disappointments as well. Merry Christmas, Main Atal Hoon, Crakk, Dange, Bastar, Yodha and Swatantrya Veer Savarkar failed at the box office. Madgaon Express got positive reports but has majorly worked only in Maharashtra.
All eyes are now on the second quarter, especially the two big Eid releases - Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Maidaan. Since these films will release on Wednesday, April 10, this Friday will see the release of small films. Dukaan is the biggest of them all but doesn't stand a chance due to negligible hype.
The film that has some chance is the Hollywood horror flick, The First Omen. It is a prequel to the 1976 classic, The Omen. Hollywood horror films often surprise though they are released without noise. If The First Omen turns out to be a great entertainer, it will retain shows even after the release of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Maidaan.
The first three months of 2024 are over and overall, it has been satisfactory though it could have been better. 2023's first quarter saw a Hindi film crossing the Rs. 500 crore mark for the first time with Pathaan. Most of the other films in the first three months last year didn't do well. Yet, the blockbuster numbers of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer spread cheer in the industry.
2024's first quarter, meanwhile, saw just one film barely crossing the Rs. 200 crore mark - Fighter. It was expected to do more than Rs. 300 crores, looking at the word of mouth. The way it dropped on the weekdays in the first week, it seemed like it might not even reach Rs. 175 crores in its lifetime. Thankfully, it held well in the subsequent weeks.
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, meanwhile, was a surprise hit. The reviews were mixed. However, the audience took to the film and it ended up collecting more than Rs. 80 crores. Article 370 will also end up with collections in the same range.
Shaitaan, on the other hand, was a rare horror film starring A-listers. It had a superb opening and maintained very well. It is expected to end its run with collections amounting to Rs. 145-150 crores.
Crew, which was released last Friday, had an impressive opening and if all goes well, it will have a lifetime in the range of Rs. 75 and 90 crores.
Another success, albeit a small one, was Laapataa Ladies. Thanks to outstanding word of mouth and the association of Aamir Khan, it slowly attracted a section of the audience. It'll end with Rs. 15 crore collections, which was unthinkable in its first week.
A dubbed version and Hollywood flicks also saw some success. Hanuman was released with low expectations and went on to collect Rs. 50 crores in Hindi. Kung Fu Panda 4 will accumulate nearly Rs. 35 crores or even more. Last week's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire can cross the Rs. 100 crore mark.
And like any other quarter, there were some disappointments as well. Merry Christmas, Main Atal Hoon, Crakk, Dange, Bastar, Yodha and Swatantrya Veer Savarkar failed at the box office. Madgaon Express got positive reports but has majorly worked only in Maharashtra.
All eyes are now on the second quarter, especially the two big Eid releases - Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Maidaan. Since these films will release on Wednesday, April 10, this Friday will see the release of small films. Dukaan is the biggest of them all but doesn't stand a chance due to negligible hype.
The film that has some chance is the Hollywood horror flick, The First Omen. It is a prequel to the 1976 classic, The Omen. Hollywood horror films often surprise though they are released without noise. If The First Omen turns out to be a great entertainer, it will retain shows even after the release of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Maidaan.
Experts feel 2024's first quarter was average
8:27 AM
As we wrap up the first quarter of 2024, here is a look at Bollywood’s report card as shared by industry experts
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 2, 2024)
Four months into 2024, the Hindi film industry has been on a bumpy ride. Fighter, starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, was expected to ring in the year with eye-popping box-office numbers, but slowly inched towards the Rs. 200 crore mark. On the other hand, films like Crakk, Yodha, All India Rank and Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay left us wanting. In comparison, 2023 was a blockbuster one with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan setting the tone for the rest of the year.
The year “hasn’t begun well” agrees trade analyst Taran Adarsh, adding, “We didn’t have a Pathaan kind of film, a Rs. 500 crore grosser, or even a film that touched Rs. 50 crore on day one. Fighter was a well-made film, but it didn’t live up to the expectations.”
DEARTH OF GOOD FILMS?
Films that took the industry by surprise with their performances were genre benders like actors Ajay Devgn’s Shaitaan, Yami Gautam Dhar’s Article 370 and Shahid Kapoor’s Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. Their box-office collections show that they did exceedingly well.
Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinepolis India, remarks, “2024’s first quarter has been average, with no major hits; films like Shaitaan worked. I feel 2023’s first quarter was much better and a hit like Pathaan is still awaited. There are good titles coming up in 2024, which are a mix of Bollywood biggies and those from the south.”
Aditya Datt, director of the actioner Crakk, is proud of his film. But with “disappointing” footfalls in cinema halls, he is ready to move on. “Response to the film’s new age idea and action was amazing,” he says, as he’s feeling “optimistic” for its OTT debut. “The magic we crafted will more eyes watching and appreciating it.”
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Another film which was praised by critics, had a big star cast, but still underperformed at the box office was Merry Christmas, featuring actors Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi. Producer Ramesh Taurani who bankrolled the film, elaborates, “We were expecting more in collections. Nevertheless, it’s okay, things happen. We did get a lot of praise and critical acclaim.”
HIGHEST GROSSERS of ’24 till NOW (All India collections according to trade estimates)
Fighter- Rs. 199 crore
Shaitaan- Rs. 137 crore
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya- Rs. 81 crore
Article 370- Rs. 72 crore
Crew- Rs. 41 crore (still running in theatres)
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 821
8:38 AM
WILL THE NEW RELEASES ALSO BRING CHEER TO THE INDUSTRY?
Last week’s Shaitaan has emerged as a big hit. It was expected to open well but very few could predict pre-release that it would collect Rs. 15 crores on the first day. The collections got a boost due to the Mahashivratri holiday and yet, the collections didn’t fall or remain the same on Saturday. The film collected Rs. 19 crores and Rs. 20.50 crores on the second and third day respectively. The Monday drop was normal – Rs. 7.50 crores. The film is expected to collect around Rs. 80 crores in its first week and depending on the performance in the subsequent weeks, the lifetime earnings can be in the range of Rs. 125 crores and Rs. 145 crores. For a mid-sized film, these collections are extraordinary.
All eyes now are on the three major releases tomorrow, two in Hindi and one in English. The biggest release is Yodha, starring Sidharth Malhotra, Raashii Khanna and Disha Patani. It is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and is a hijack drama. The film was shot way back in 2021-22 and was scheduled to release in September 2023 and later December. Due to overcrowding, it moved to March 15. The trailer was launched two weeks back mid-air in a grand fashion. The promo is interesting while the songs are decent. But the excitement among the public is minimal and they would adopt the wait-and-watch strategy. Hence, the opening won’t be huge and would be around Rs. 4-5 crores. It might go higher if moviegoers come out in huge numbers in the evening and night shows. It’ll need a positive word of mouth to grow on the weekdays and sustain.
Bastar - The Naxal Story reunites The Kerala Story team – actor Adah Sharma, producer Vipul Shah and director Sudipto Sen. It is about the Naxalite movement and how it has wreaked havoc in the country. The trailer is quite disturbing. The Kerala Story also promised a lot of uncomfortable moments and this factor appealed to the audience. But the same kind of curiosity is missing with The Kerala Story. Due to negligible buzz, it has got very limited shows. The opening will be around Rs. 1 crore and the makers can hope for a terrific word of mouth so that it gets a good jump from Saturday.
Finally, Kung Fu Panda 4 will also see a release tomorrow. It is a successful animation franchise and probably the second biggest in India after Frozen 2. Kung Fu Panda 3 had a very delayed release in India and yet, it collected Rs. 32 crores. This stunned the industry since animated films rarely do well in the country. Hence, the expectations are immense from Kung Fu Panda 4 and the advance ticket sales are also healthy. Kung Fu Panda 3 opened at Rs. 2.10 crores and the fourth part’s day 1 collection might surpass this figure.
Last week’s Shaitaan has emerged as a big hit. It was expected to open well but very few could predict pre-release that it would collect Rs. 15 crores on the first day. The collections got a boost due to the Mahashivratri holiday and yet, the collections didn’t fall or remain the same on Saturday. The film collected Rs. 19 crores and Rs. 20.50 crores on the second and third day respectively. The Monday drop was normal – Rs. 7.50 crores. The film is expected to collect around Rs. 80 crores in its first week and depending on the performance in the subsequent weeks, the lifetime earnings can be in the range of Rs. 125 crores and Rs. 145 crores. For a mid-sized film, these collections are extraordinary.
All eyes now are on the three major releases tomorrow, two in Hindi and one in English. The biggest release is Yodha, starring Sidharth Malhotra, Raashii Khanna and Disha Patani. It is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and is a hijack drama. The film was shot way back in 2021-22 and was scheduled to release in September 2023 and later December. Due to overcrowding, it moved to March 15. The trailer was launched two weeks back mid-air in a grand fashion. The promo is interesting while the songs are decent. But the excitement among the public is minimal and they would adopt the wait-and-watch strategy. Hence, the opening won’t be huge and would be around Rs. 4-5 crores. It might go higher if moviegoers come out in huge numbers in the evening and night shows. It’ll need a positive word of mouth to grow on the weekdays and sustain.
Bastar - The Naxal Story reunites The Kerala Story team – actor Adah Sharma, producer Vipul Shah and director Sudipto Sen. It is about the Naxalite movement and how it has wreaked havoc in the country. The trailer is quite disturbing. The Kerala Story also promised a lot of uncomfortable moments and this factor appealed to the audience. But the same kind of curiosity is missing with The Kerala Story. Due to negligible buzz, it has got very limited shows. The opening will be around Rs. 1 crore and the makers can hope for a terrific word of mouth so that it gets a good jump from Saturday.
Finally, Kung Fu Panda 4 will also see a release tomorrow. It is a successful animation franchise and probably the second biggest in India after Frozen 2. Kung Fu Panda 3 had a very delayed release in India and yet, it collected Rs. 32 crores. This stunned the industry since animated films rarely do well in the country. Hence, the expectations are immense from Kung Fu Panda 4 and the advance ticket sales are also healthy. Kung Fu Panda 3 opened at Rs. 2.10 crores and the fourth part’s day 1 collection might surpass this figure.
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