Will the producers of the two Diwali releases make profits?

– The producers of BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 will make huge profits of around Rs. 60-70 crore, maybe more. The producers of SINGHAM AGAIN, which cost more than double the budget of BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3, will not be able to break even.

Why is Jio Studios not remaking its super-hit Marathi film, Baipan Bhari Deva, in Hindi?

– Probably because it is available in Hindi on OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar. Nowadays, OTT platforms either dub regional language films in Hindi or add Hindi/English subtitles in the original language version when they acquire the streaming rights. After that, it may no longer be worthwhile to remake a regional language film in Hindi.     

Has Ajay Devgan given his consent for the release of his more-than-a-decade-old film, Naam?

– There is no way an actor can prevent the release of his film, however stale it might be. Morally, no actor would be justified in doing that. Late producer Dinesh Patel’s wife approached the star who is said to have forthwith given his go-ahead to the film’s release now. Incidentally, Ajay Devgan had not charged Dinesh Patel a single naya paisa for working in NAAM. You may be aware that it was Dinesh Patel’s PHOOL AUR KAANTE which introduced Ajay Devgan as an actor. Not only did Ajay do NAAM as a gesture of goodwill to bail Patel out of the difficult times he had landed himself in but he also asked his friend, director Anees Bazmee, to direct the film for free. And Anees Bazmee readily obliged. The script of NAAM had been originally written by Anees Bazmee for Ajay Devgan to produce it. 

In hindsight, was the tension between exhibitors and the distributors of last week’s Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 worth it?

– Not at all! Because both the films have underperformed. Compared to the promise the two films held, their performances at the box-office have been underwhelming. Since the producers of both the films had expected their respective film to prove a hit, none of them was willing to postpone the release of his film and hence the tension could not have been averted.

Why is IMPPA getting the governments of different states like Bihar and Jharkhand to announce film policies? Do producers shoot in these states?

– Of course, producers of small films do shoot in different states of India. And if they don’t already shoot, they will start shooting, thanks to the film policies.  

Why do big filmmakers in India generally avoid attending film festivals?

– Because they are busy making films and profits.

How would you describe the initials of both the releases of this week?

– Bumper! The two films — SINGHAM AGAIN and BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 — together might end up giving a total box-office of Rs. 70-plus crore today!

Now that both the Diwali films have released, do you still feel that they should not have come on the same day and in the same week?

– Yes, I still feel, there should’ve been a gap of two or, better still, four weeks between the two releases. The simultaneous release will adversely affect collections of each of the two films by several crores of rupees. Of course, my reply is easier said than done because the question is: who would sacrifice the Diwali week and opt for another week instead?    

By how many crores would the business of Singham Again have been less had it not been released on Diwali?

– We’ve had films releasing on non-holiday weeks and turning out to be hits at the box-office. Holiday weekend or not, a hit film finds its audience, no matter what! So, the answer to your question about how much would the business have been affected had it not been released today is: maybe not at all!

What kind of opening-day figures do you estimate for Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3?

– Rs. 40-45 crore and Rs. 30-32 crore respectively. You may be aware that in half of India, the Laxmi Pooja is now scheduled for 31st October rather than 1st November which is the day of the films’ release. Had 1st November been the day of Laxmi Pooja, the figures would’ve been lower because the Laxmi Pooja rituals keep a section of the audience away from the cinemas. For those who observe Diwali on 31st October, New Year will fall on 2nd November as there is no festival on 1st November. As for those performing the Laxmi Pooja on 1st November, the New Year’s Day will, of course, be on 2nd November. Incidentally, the community of traders in North India still maintains that the traders will perform Laxmi Pooja on 1st November. Call it confusion or two days of Laxmi Pooja, but the fact is that there is lack of clarity.

What, according to you, is the biggest takeaway from the deal for sale of 50% stake in Dharma Productions to Adar Poonawalla?

– For the trade, the biggest takeaway is that a person completely, wholly and absolutely unconnected with the film industry and not even remotely  related to it has invested Rs. 1,000 crore in the business.   

Will the Dharma-Poonawalla deal be a one-off case or will we now hear of more such deals?

– It is very likely that more such deals may happen in the months and years to come. The entry of Adar Poonawalla in the entertainment business may prompt more industrialists to get into the business.

Why has no big film released this week?

– It is probably because next week is the pre-Diwali week which is considered very poor for the box-office. However, producers of smaller films often take advantage and release their films two weeks prior to Diwali as big films more often than not don’t make the scene in that week. This time, however, not many small films have also released.

With the Diwali week approaching, what are the predictions for the showcasing of Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3?

– In all probability, SINGHAM AGAIN will get 55-60% of the shows while BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 will get 40-45%. In many single-screen cinemas, the show allotment will be 50:50. Since SINGHAM AGAIN is being distributed all-India by PVR-Inox Pictures, you can be sure that the showcasing in PVR-Inox chain will be tilted in favour of its own film. On the other hand, we must not forget that the all-India distributor of BB 3 is Anil Thadani, who is a very big distributor with an enviable line-up of forthcoming releases so that exhibitors cannot afford to antagonise him with shows which are very less as compared to SINGHAM AGAIN.  

With Sitaare Zameen Par not releasing on Christmas this year, it will indeed be a Khan-less year! Will we get to see the three Khans on the big screen in 2025?

– Aamir Khan’s SITAARE ZAMEEN PAR, and Salman Khan’s SIKANDAR will hit the screens next year. Shah Rukh Khan’s KING might not be ready for release next year. It is likely to hit the screens in 2026.

How is it that the opening of Rajkumar Rao’s Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video today wasn’t extraordinary after the stupendous business which his Stree 2 has done?

– The extraordinary business of STREE 2 cannot be attributed to Rajkumar Rao alone because the film had an ensemble cast. Besides, it was the sequel of a very successful film (STREE).

What did you think of the trailers of Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3?

– The trailer of SINGHAM AGAIN lives up to the film’s teaser. Looking to the excitement generated by the trailer, SINGHAM AGAIN can be expected to open to bumper houses this Diwali. The trailer of BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3is also excellent. The entry of Madhuri Dixit in the trailer is truly mind-blowing. There’s a superb mix of horror and comedy in the trailer. Looking to the response of the public to the two trailers, it is evident that both the films will take bumper initials on Diwali.

When the day of Laxmi Pooja is said to be not very good for the box-office, why are the producers of Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 releasing their films on Laxmi Pooja day (1st November)?

– The Laxmi Pooja day may not be bountiful for the box-office because of the Diwali festivities and celebrations in Hindu households due to which they don’t go to the cinemas that day, but people of other communities make the most of the Diwali holiday by frequenting cinemas. Besides, there are many Hindus too, who utilise the holiday for visiting a cinema after the festivities etc. are done with. 

Every filmmaker sets out to make a hit film, but hardly 4-5% succeed. Why is it so?

– Your question itself has the answer. Most filmmakers set out to make a hit, but only those filmmakers succeed who set out to make a film, not a hit. One has to try and make a good film in which he believes, not a commercially hit film in which he may not believe but in which he can see tons of money.

What about the South remake which Sunny Deol was acting in and was being produced by Kamal Mukut?

– After the stupendous success of his GADAR 2, Sunny Deol reportedly wants his character in the remake of Malayalam film JOSEPH to have some great action scenes. However, the original film does not have any action for that character. The film is, therefore, stuck midway because of the disagreement between the producer and the director (M. Padmakumar) on the one hand and the hero on the other.

What kind of opening do you expect Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video to take next week?

– It should open around Rs. 7-8 crore on Friday, and there will be a big jump the following day because of Dassera holiday. In fact, the increase could be almost 100% on the second day.

Will Jigra take a respectable opening? I’m asking this question as it is a woman-centric film.

– You bet, it will take a very good start. The teaser first and now the trailer have been loved by the public and so there is a lot of curiosity for the film. Please don’t forget that Alia Bhatt has earlier delivered hits in women-oriented films such as RAAZI and GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI.

With a naughty title like Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, how are the producers calling it a family film?

– They know the best because they have made the film. You and I can only hazard guesses, so it is best to wait for the film to hit the screens. Then, you shall have the answer to your question. Meanwhile, let me add here that the film’s promotion is working big time with the public which should, therefore, make a beeline for the cinemas on 11th October when the film releases.           

In Hollywood films, there is no separate credit for dialogue writer. But Indian films always have a dialogue writer. Why this difference?

– In Hollywood films, the screenplay writer also writes the dialogues, which is not the case as far as Indian films are concerned. The screenplay writer may or may not be the dialogue writer in the case of Indian films. Even if the screenplay and dialogue writer/s is/are the same, credit is always given for story, screenplay and dialogues.      

Why did Tumbbad do so well in its revived run?

– It was destined to do well. The very fact that its tickets sold in advance was an indication that there were people waiting for it. Generally, the advance booking of old films is not worth discussing when they are revived, but the case of TUMBBAD was different. If you remember, the film did not do great business when it was first released in 2018. However, the talk about the film even then was very encouraging. The classes, especially, had found the film very intriguing and entertaining. The positive word of mouth of so many years ago is standing the film in good stead now. Besides, the number of people in the category of class audience has grown over the years because the tastes of people evolve as time flies.

Which of the two films — Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 — will open better this Diwali?

– SINGHAM AGAIN has stars galore, besides brand SINGHAM, to attract the public. BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 has the brand value and the fun element to match the festive occasion. Let’s hope that both the third parts open extraordinarily well. After all, Diwali can accommodate two big films! Having said that, let us add that there are rumours that one of the two films has been postponed. Of course, the rumours are baseless.          

Who has done the humming sound in the O nigahein mastana / Dekh sama hai suhana song in Paying Guest? Kishore Kumar is the male voice but whose is the female voice which hums in the song and doesn’t have a single word to mouth?

– The female voice is that of Asha Bhosle. The song was offered by music composer S.D. Burman to Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle. The latter wondered what there was for her in the song which did not have a single line or even word in the female voice, but S.D. Burman is said to have told her that the song was extraordinary and that only she could bring out its essence with her humming.      

What did you think of the teaser of Alia Bhatt starrer Jigra?

– It’s a very impactful trailer. It arrests your attention and makes you want to watch the film. In other words, it serves its purpose.

Why do most of the South banners not promote their pan-India films in circuits other than the Southern ones?

– Those who are serious about the business from the rest of India, other than the Southern circuits, will invariably promote their films all over India. The others release their films pan-India but I don’t think, they expect much from the rest of India. Their attitude is: if it does business and gets money from the rest of India, great; if not, no problem. When the producers/stars of the films in question don’t take the business seriously, the people who contribute to that business cannot be expected to take them or their films seriously.         

Will Akshay Kumar strike back?

– Do you have any doubt? Of course, he will strike back. Please don’t underestimate the power of a super-successful actor-star even if time has not been favouring him for now.