What is this brouhaha about incorrect box-office figures doled out by the producers of Housefull 4?

– It’s much ado about something that’s been prevalent since years. Many producers do give out inflated box-office collections of their films but it is up to those reporting to correct them and put out the genuine figures. Frankly, not many so-called trade analysts and, of course, the self-styled trade analysts have the werewithal to get their hands on the genuine box-office collections and, therefore, either depend upon the producers for the same or randomly reduce the figures to appear unbiased. Both are dangerous moves. Film Information has a network of more than 200 representatives across India, to not just source the collections but also to verify those provided by the producers.

Will the fate of next week’s Bala be adversely affected because the other film on premature balding — Ujda Chaman — has released a week earlier?

– It’s the other way around. Perhaps, the fate of UJDA CHAMAN is going to be adversely affected as members of the public know that BALA is due next week and they may want to wait for that film.

What’s the whole purpose of bringing Radhe to the cinemas on Eid next year? Don’t you think, the film, which is still to roll, will have to be made in a tearing hurry?

– If Salman Khan is particular about releasing RADHE on Eid 2020, who is anybody to object? He feels, he can make the film and release it in six months, so that’s it.

Why has this week’s Saaho taken an initial which is so phenomenal? After all, hero Prabhas is not a Hindi film hero.

– Prabhas may not be a Hindi film hero but his fan following after BAHUBALI and BAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION is immense. Girls and youngsters are crazy about him.

Do you think, Chhichhore will open well next week?

– Yes, the opening of CHHICHHORE will be very good next week as its trailers and songs have been loved by the public.

Will there be a tough fight between War and Syeraa Narasimha Reddy (dubbed) on 2nd October as far as screens are concerned?

– Yes, there will be a fight for screens between the two films. If WAR has two young heroes, a big canvas, and breathtaking action as also dances (hopefully), SYERAA… also has a big canvas, expectional action and is a historical.

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and Chhapaak will release on the same day, 10th January, 2020. Likewise, Street Dancer 3D and Panga will hit the screens together on 24th January, 2020. Can’t these four films come on four different dates?

– There are 52 weeks in a year but the number of films made every year is far more than that. So this kind of a clash is inevitable.

Now that the year is coming to an end, how would you describe 2019?

– It’s been a great year for content-driven cinema. But that doesn’t mean, stars have had it tough. Even star-studded films have worked at the turnstiles. But only star power, without content did not work!

Who is the actor who has contributed the maximum to the box-office in 2019?

– Undoubtedly, Akshay Kumar who had four successful releases — KESARI, MISSION MANGAL, HOUSEFULL 4 and GOOD NEWWZ.

If an action film like Satyameva Jayate can open very well, why did Marjaavaan, also an action fare and directed by the same person as Satyameva Jayate, not open as well?

– SATYAMEVA JAYATE had John Abraham, who has an action image, while MARJAAVAAN stars Sidharth Malhotra and Ritesh Deshmukh, both of who are not action heroes.

Does a hero select a script or does a script select a hero?

– It works both ways if a hero is talented. Like a talented hero is in search of a good script, a well-written script is also in search of a hero who would be able to deliver.

With some films now being made devoid of lip-synch songs, is music really important for a film’s success?

– Important?! It is supremely important – especially in a commercial entertainer. Some films can do without lip-synch songs or without any songs but commercial potboilers need to have songs because songs are integral to our culture.

There’s no major opposition for Super 30 next week. Does that mean that it will rule the box-office next week too?

– Hollywood’s THE LION KING (animation) will be a formidable opposition to SUPER 30 next week. It is also being released in Hindi (dubbed).

Do you have any pre-release re­ports of Sajid Nadiadwala’s Chhi­chhore?

– The title may be CHHICHHORE but insiders reveal that the film is not just an entertainer; it is also a super tear-jerker. Director Nitesh Tiwari seems to have done it once again.

How can three films release on 20th September when there’s no special holiday in that week?

– As of now, PRASTHANAM, PAL PAL DIL KE PAAS and THE ZOYA FACTOR are slated for relea­se on 20th September. All three may finally not hit the screens on the same day, and the release schedules of at least one or two may possibly change. That’s be­cause all are important films in their own way. PRASTHANAM is Sanjay Dutt’s film; PAL PAL DIL KE PAAS is Sunny Deol’s film which will launch his son, Karan Deol; THE ZOYA FACTOR stars Sonam Kapoor.

Now that Sooryavanshi has been postponed due to the coronavirus scare, when will it hit the screens?
– The producers of SOORYAVANSHI might not have postponed the film just because of the coronavirus scare. The collections of BAAGHI 3 in the first week suggest that the scare has impacted the box-office only marginally, not dramatically. Hence, it may not have made sense for the producers of SOORYAVANSHI to postpone its release. After all, the postponement comes with a host of other problems like additional budget for promotion, keeping the audience interest alive for so much longer, the uncertainty about the future of the virus etc. But once the Delhi government announced on 12th March that all cinemas in Delhi will remain closed from 13th March till the month-end, it would be foolish to release the film on 24th March. The film, therefore, stands postponed because of the cinema closure in Delhi. Other state governments are likely to announce similar closure of cinemas. As for the new date of the film’s release, no decision has been taken so far. After all, what can one predict about the future in such a scenario?

Since the producers of ’83 did not release the film’s first trailer on 8th March, does it imply that the film will not hit the screens in April due to the fear of the coronavirus outbreak in India?
– Like all other producers who have big-budget films releasing in March, April and May, the producers of ’83 were also sitting on the fence about their film’s release date. There was so much uncertainty that it was difficult to take a decision this way or that. But after the Delhi government’s declaration that cinemas in the capital city will remain closed from 13th to 31st March, no big film will be released till the position is clearer. Obviously, the producers of ’83 have also now postponed the release of their film. In fact, they abstained from releasing their first trailer on 8th March because of the uncertainty factor.

What is the controversy about Rohit Shetty’s comment to Katrina Kaif that she would not be noticed by the public in a scene in which she shares screen space with Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan and Ranveer Singh in Sooryavanshi?
– Obviously, Rohit Shetty’s comment has been twisted and quoted out of context. He must’ve said whatever he said in a very practical way rather than in a derogatory manner. Why would any filmmaker pay an A-list heroine and then say something to the effect that she wouldn’t be noticed in a scene or shot or even frame of the film, that too derogatorily?