Will the debacle of Heropanti 2 put an end to the franchise?

– Probably so. The film has not found favour with the audience and, therefore, attempting a third part in the series would require nerves of steel.

What went wrong with Runway 34?

– The audience found the second half an exercise in futility. For the paying public, Ajay Devgan (Captain Vikrant Khanna) had already become a hero at interval point when he safely landed the aircraft in near-impossible conditions. Even if in saving the lives of the passengers and the aircraft, he broke some rules, it did not matter to the audience or make him any less a hero in their eyes. Hence the court case thereafter made little sense to the viewers. That’s how the public thinks. You may argue that the film is based on a real-life story. The counter-argument is: every real-life story may not be appreciated by the public, on the big screen. So one has to either tweak the real-life story, change the narration structure, or simply not make a film based on that story.

Why has no major Hindi film opened today?

– Because DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS (dubbed) has opened today. That’s such a formidable opposition that no Hindi film producer wanted to risk releasing his film alongside the Hollywood film.

What was the logic of releasing Hindi Liger in non-Southern circuits on Thursday in the night shows only? And the logic of releasing the Telugu or Tamil dubbed version of the film in the non-Southern circuits on Thursday from morning itself?

– None which comes to the mind. If anything, the poor attendance in cinemas screening the Telugu or Tamil dubbed version in the day-time shows on Thursday (August 25) only served to underline that the opening was terrible.

Why is there no major film releasing next week?

– Perhaps, because of the Ganesh festival which falls next week. Since Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Wednesday, 31st August, producers must’ve steered clear of the following Friday (2nd September).

What do you make out of the recent line of flops in Bollywood?

– It’s the period of churning. New talent will come in place of the old creators who refuse to pull up their socks.

How can three big films — Animal, Gadar 2: The Katha Continues and OMG 2 — release in the same (Independence Day) week? Isn’t that suicidal?

– The producers of each of the three films will release their film as they want their film to get the advantage of the Independence Day holiday.

After The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story, will Ajmer 92 also work magic at the box-office?

– One can’t tell till one has seen the film. People watch a film for what it is worth rather than because it is of a particular kind or because it is ‘similar in content’ to earlier hit films.

Are lesser number of films being made these days?

– Yes, it’s true that lesser number of films are being made these days because producers, writers, directors and stars are in a confused state of mind. They don’t know what will work at the ticket windows, and what won’t.   

Is it a sensible move to release Jersey just a week after 83? After all, both are cricket films.

– You are probably asking this question because both hold a lot of promise. While it is a fact that both are cricket films, JERSEY can be described more as a family drama set against the backdrop of cricket. Yet, it is not the wisest move to release JERSEY a week after 83, also because it may become difficult for JERSEY to get good single-screen cinemas at many places. This is because the best single-screen cinemas will be booked by 83 for a minimum of two weeks.

What’s your opinion on the trailer of S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR?

– In one word, it is mind-blowing!

Why would Ajay Devgan have made a film like Velle?

– Perhaps, to oblige friend Sunny Deol. The film stars Sunny’s son, Karan Deol.

What is so special in Gujarati film Laalo: Krishna Sada Sahaayate that its collections picked up by 50 times after 20 days? How much are its lifetime net collections expected to be?

 – For a film which started (on 10th October) with collections of a few lakh rupees, LAALO: KRISHNA SADA SAHAAYATE has already netted Rs. 13 crore in 4 weeks. This is the kind of jump in collections it has experienced. The film is expected to become the biggest blockbuster of Gujarati cinema ever! The film underlines the presence of God and the feeling that God helps people in need. This reaffirmation in the presence of God has connected so beautifully with the audience that it has become a cult film!   

What is likely to be the business of Assamese film Roi Roi Binale? Your article five days back mentioned that it would probably become the biggest Assamese blockbuster.

– It has already become the biggest ever Assamese blockbuster. For, the first week’s collections are more than the lifetime collections of the previous biggest blockbuster, SRI RAGHUPATI (2023)!        

Why has Yash Raj Films’ Alpha been postponed?

– According to the producers, the film’s visual effects work is taking longer than anticipated. Hence the film’s release has been postponed from 25th December to 17th April, 2026. According to industry know-alls, YRF did not want its film to be sandwiched between AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH (due for release on 19th December) and TU MERI MAIN TERA MAIN TERA TU MERI (slated for release on 2nd January, 2026).   

Why are producers, directors and music directors not working hard on their film’s music when it has been proven time and again that the business of Hindi films gets a boost — at times, a very big boost — if the songs are hit?

– A baffling reality for which nobody seems to have an answer. But it is true that except for Karan Johar and Dinesh Vijan, producers aren’t consistent in working hard on the music of their films. And whether one likes it or not, it must be said that lack of popular songs is telling on the performance of films at the box-office.

Has a date been finalised for the release of Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par?

– Although a date has not been finalised, it will see release in June this year. 

Will reduction in admission rates of cinemas result in increased footfalls for films?

– High admission rates are not the only reason for low footfalls. Poor content, substandard music, high prices of concessionaires in cinemas, small window between theatrical and OTT release… these and other causes have also resulted in dwindling footfalls for films. But any corrective action is a step in the right direction for increasing the flow of patrons in cinemas. 

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.