Showing posts with label Vash. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vash. Show all posts
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)."
Gujarati films find their mojo, and the moolah
9:26 AM
Universal stories, new themes, attractive state subsidy help more than double box-office collections in ten years
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 15, 2025)
Universal stories rooted in language and culture, showcasing new themes, and filmmakers with modern sensibilities, strong community groups (mandals) helping in word-of-mouth appeal, and digital communication on new releases have transformed the fortunes of the Gujarati film industry in the past decade, producers, directors, and writers told ET. Other factors include relatively higher return ratios among mid-budget regional films, good investment recovery from streamers, attractive state subsidy, and favourable structural changes.
In the past decade, the Gujarati film industry’s box office collection jumped more than twofold to Rs. 104 crore as of October 5 from Rs. 46 crore in 2015, as per a study by media and entertainment research firm Ormax Media.
Notably, the surge in collection has been more pronounced in the past three years, peaking in 2025 with Gujarati cinema surpassing Punjabi, Bengali, and Marathi cinemas in collections, noted the study. Films such as Jhamkudi, Umbarro, All The Best Pandya and Bachu Ni Benpani are among the top-grossing Gujarati releases.
“Two key aspects are working for Gujarati films. One is that makers are focusing on universal subjects. And the other is dialogues in these films. Makers are strictly focusing on rootedness when it comes to language,” said Krishnadev Yagnik, director of Gujarati film Vash (2023), which was remade into Hindi as Shaitaan (2024).
This year, footfalls for Gujarati films reached a decadal high of 10 million, according to the Ormax Media report.
“We are in the second phase of Gujarati cinema. Audiences have been receptive to new themes. Importantly, returns on Gujarati films have been good enough,” said Anand Pandit, producer of Gujarati blockbuster 3 Ekka (2023).
Concurring with Pandit, Anil Rawal, a Gujarati novelist and veteran journalist said, “Today, new themes such as queer and horror comedy are being explored in Gujarati films such as Katlaa Curry and Jhamkudi respectively. In these films, the family as a central unit is also neatly interwoven across diverse genres. This resonates with the audiences.”
Director Krishnadev Yagnik noted that Gujarati films have a slightly higher success ratio than other regional movies if one considers the total number of releases in a year. “If the success ratio in other regional films is 5%, Gujarati films would have at least a 7% success ratio,” he said.
In recent years, the Gujarati film industry has reduced its dependence on the success of one or two films. There is an increasing number of mid-and-small-budget films recording collections in the range of Rs. 3-10 crore consistently in recent years, per the Ormax report. Gujarati films are being made with Rs. 1-5 crore budgets.
“A complete ecosystem has emerged for Gujarati films. Production houses, casting agencies, streamers such as Shemaroo and JOJO buying Gujarati content post theatrical and community groups (mandals) spreading awareness about new releases have contributed to the industry’s growth,” said Parth Madhukrushna, co-founder, Marrkatbros, an Ahmedabad-based film production house. “In addition, the state subsidy of up to Rs 75 lakh play a critical role in the business of Gujarati films.”
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.
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.”
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