What’s the reason for the slow start of JUDGEMENTALL HAI KYA and ARJUN PATIALA this week? | 27 July, 2019

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July 27, 2019

What’s the reason for the slow start of Judgementall Hai Kya and Arjun Patiala this week?

– The trailers of both the films had not found universal acceptance. The trailer of JUDGEMENTALL HAI KYA was too bizarre for people’s liking. The public generally does not go to watch a bizarre film immediately; people wait for the reports to emerge. As for ARJUN PATIALA, the trailer gave away the fact that it was a spoof. People in India are not fans of spoofs.

Has the tax exemption of Super 30 in various states helped its box-office performance?

– Only marginally, because the tax exemption is only of SGST in each state, not the CGST component. Frankly, the central government should exempt CGST on the film all over India.

Why do we refer to cinema of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s as the golden era of cinema?

– It’s human nature to praise the past while looking down upon the present. That could be one reason. The other reason could be because some landmark films like MOTHER INDIA and MUGHAL-E-AZAM were made during this period.

YOU ASKED IT | 17 November, 2023

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November 17, 2023

Is the pro-Pakistan angle of Tiger 3 the only reason for the lack of approval by a section of the audience?

– Yes, it is one of the several reasons, and a major one at that! Even the pro-Pakistan angle may have worked had the writers and director made a strong foundation for the pro-Pakistan angle. But they seem to have simply assumed that the public would accept it because they (makers) want it that way. Obviously, that could never have happened… and it didn’t happen.

Between Salman Khan’s special appearance in Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, and Shah Rukh Khan’s special appearance in Salman Khan’s Tiger 3, which was the better one?

– Of course, Salman Khan’s special appearance in PATHAAN was far better than Shah Rukh’s special appearance in TIGER 3. That’s largely because the writing in PATHAAN was of a far superior quality. The two scenes of PATHAAN, in which Salman Khan made appearances, were so seamlessly written that they blended beautifully in the film’s drama. Also, the two scenes were outstanding otherwise too. However, the writing of TIGER 3, including that of the Shah Rukh Khan sequence, was half-baked.

What kind of opening do you expect Animal to take on 1st December?

– ANIMAL will, in all likelihood, take a fantastic initial on 1st December.

YOU ASKED IT | 31 March, 2023

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March 31, 2023

Would the initial of Bholaa have been better had many people not seen Kaithi, the Tamil film of which Bholaa is a remake?

– Yes, the fact that many people had already seen KAITHI definitely affected the opening of BHOLAA adversely to an extent. But there are other factors too, responsible for the below-the-mark initial: its trailer was not liked by the public as much as its teaser; its release on an odd day (Thursday) even though it was Ram Navmi (point to be noted is that Ram Navmi is a partial holiday, not a complete holiday); and the ongoing Ramzan period.

Is delaying the OTT release of films an answer to the dwindling box-office collections?

– Yes, producers should pass a resolution to not release films on OTT till at least six months from the date of their theatrical release. This might help to boost the box-office. Also, admission rates and prices of concessionaires need to be reduced, to bring the audience back to the cinemas. There are lakhs of people who have stopped going to the cinemas (except for a film that is carrying extraordinary reports) because of the huge expenditure involved in watching films in cinemas and also because OTT content now occupies the place (in people’s minds) which cinemas once occupied. Drastic measures need to be taken to return to the good old days when cinema was king.

Is there a golden rule to ensure a good opening to a star-cast film?

– I don’t know whether it’s a golden rule or not but it is tried and tested and has been working since years. A fantastic trailer and hit/superhit music can ensure a good opening to a star-cast film.

Your YouTube channel video mentions that Shah Rukh Khan’s next film will be directed by Raj-D.K. Is this the right choice for the actor, considering that he hasn’t done any film since a year? | 29 November, 2019

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November 29, 2019

Your YouTube channel video mentions that Shah Rukh Khan’s next film will be directed by Raj-D.K. Is this the right choice for the actor, considering that he hasn’t done any film since a year?

– Why not? That Raj-D.K. know their job as directors is proven. Now, it all depends on the script. If the content is good, the two directors will be able to pull off a hit.

What is Hrithik Roshan’s next?

– Perhaps, Farah Khan’s remake of SATTE PE SATTA. That’s the only film of his that’s been announced — unofficially, though.

How did Hotel Mumbai fare worldwide? When did it release abroad?

– It was released in March 2019 and it was critically acclaimed. It did well in financial terms too, grossing around Rs. 140 crore Overseas.

Is there any chance of SAAND KI AANKH being postponed? Or will it release on Diwali? I am a small-town exhibitor and am confused because there are rumours in the trade to that effect. | 19 October, 2019

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October 19, 2019

Is there any chance of Saand Ki Aankh being postponed? Or will it release on Diwali? I am a small-town exhibitor and am confused because there are rumours in the trade to that effect.

– No, the rumour is baseless. Diwali week will see three releases including SAAND KI AANKH.

What kind of an opening do you expect Housefull 4 to take, on 25th October?

– Since 25th October is a pre-Diwali day, the opening of HOUSEFULL 4 cannot and should not be expected to be earth-shattering. But despite the dull pre-Diwali day, the opening day’s figure could go up to Rs. 25-crore-plus.

When will Salman Khan begin shooting for Radhe? He has already announced its release on Eid next year?

– RADHE will roll in the first week of November, as soon as Salman and Prabhu Deva are free from DABANGG 3. Of course, they will have to divide their time between the shooting of RADHE and the post-production work of DABANGG 3.

Will SOORYAVANSHI release in April? | 20 March, 2020

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March 20, 2020

Will Sooryavanshi release in April?

– Will the coronavirus scare/outbreak get over in April? Till this question is not answered, it is impossible to answer your question.

Will Radhe and Laxmmi Bomb still clash on Eid (22nd May, 2020)?

– There are rumours in trade circles that Akshay Kumar’s SOORYAVANSHI might come on Eid instead of LAXMMI BOMB. But they are just rumours. There’s nothing that’s concrete because the situation is uncertain.

Shouldn’t an industry team sit across the table to sort out the likely chaotic fallout of the cinema lockdown on film releases when cinemas reopen?

– Yes, an industry team needs to discuss and arrive at a formula to reduce the heartburn that’s likely to arise once the cinemas reopen.

YOU ASKED IT | 23 August, 2024

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August 23, 2024

Will Stree 2 cross the Rs. 400-crore mark in India alone?

– It most definitely will! It will join the Rs. 400-crore club in the second week itself. The question now is whether it will touch Rs. 500 crore or not! In all likelihood, it will!!

What did you think of the teaser of Chhava?

– I found it extremely promising. The teaser is literally inviting people to watch the film. It has served its purpose.

South’s Maharaja, starring Vijay Sethupathi, is being praised to the skies on OTT. Then why did its Hindi dubbed version not do well in the cinemas?

– Two major reasons why the Hindi dubbed version of MAHARAJA underperformed in the cinemas: it was released with almost nil promotion, and so, people weren’t even aware that it had released; Vijay Sethupathi is a fantastic actor but he does not have a fan following in the Hindi film belt, which is so necessary to ensure that his starrers open decently.

First, ‘CHHICHHORE’. Now, ‘DREAM GIRL’. Does it mean that comedies are in? | 13 September, 2019

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September 13, 2019

First, Chhichhore. Now, Dream Girl. Does it mean that comedies are in?

– Before these two films, we had MISSION MANGAL which was not a comedy. Other recent successes like SUPER 30 and KABIR SINGH were also not comedies. So there!

Does Ayushmann Khurrana select his films or do the films select him?

– Before Ayushmann Khurrana signed his first film, VICKY DONOR, he rejected several films because they were the usual commercial potboilers. Right from the time he entered films, he had decided to carve his own niche by doing cinema which was content-driven. In fact, this week’s DREAM GIRL seems to be among the few regular commercial films he has worked in.

Will Kick 2 release on Eid next year?

– Far from it! KICK 2 might roll around Eid next year!!

YOU ASKED IT | 13 April, 2019

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April 13, 2019

Does it make equal sense to release PM Narendra Modi after elections as it would’ve, to release it this week?
– Obviously not! But one can never predict about films. If the BJP wins the general elections with a thumping majority, the biopic just might appeal more to the public.

Why are such few songs being recorded in Arijit Singh’s voice nowadays?
– Arijit Singh had himself cut down on his singing assignments as he was busy directing his own film, LALU. One hears, he wants to direct another film too.

If Brahmastra and Dabangg 3 release on the same day, as is being rumoured, will it be good or bad?
– The clashing of two huge films is not good, especially in today’s times when initial business is so important. BRAHNMASTRA and DABANGG 3 are both big-budget films. There are only three possibilities: both can work, both can flop, only one of the two can do well. If both flop, there is little to discuss. If both click, they will eat into each other’s collections if they release on the same day. If one of them clicks, the lesser film (success-wise) will stand to lose more, obviously, due to the other (successful) film’s opposition, but the successful film will also lose some revenue because of the less successful film’s opposition.

What kind of an initial do you expect SAAHO to take on 30th August? | 16 August, 2019

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August 16, 2019

What kind of an initial do you expect Saaho to take on 30th August?

– It should take a good start. The opening may not be outstanding.

If two big films can release in the Diwali, Independence Day, Christmas or Republic Day weekends, why can’t two films open in the Gandhi Jayanti weekend?

– While your logic is correct, it all depends on the two films in question. If one film is too big, and the other is relatively small, the second producer might not be willing to release his film in direct opposition of the first film.

What was the reason for such a phenomenal start to Mission Mangal?

– The trailers were excellent and gave a fantastic feeling to the public. Akshay Kumar starrers usually open well. And, of course, the benefit of holiday for Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan on the day of the film’s release also helped a great deal to make this the biggest opening for Akshay Kumar solo so far.

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