You tweeted earlier this week about social media influencers being paid by some producers to write glowing reviews of their films at the time of release. But the trade gets to know very fast which review is bought and which is impartial. Then what is the sense in paying influencers to write positive reviews?

– It is not just social media influencers but also critics and trade analysts who are involved in this racket of writing/posting/broadcasting reviews for money. This is telling upon the credibility of not just the community of journalists but also of producers, which is bad because the public already has a very negative image of the industry people, and this kind of practice doesn’t help in salvaging the image. What is even worse is that such paid tamasha stretches even beyond the reviews and manipulates the reporting of actual box-office collections. The two purposes such reviews and comments serve are: to massage the egos of the producers, directors and actors of those films; and to misguide the public which, in the first place, is not concerned with the box-office collections as much as it is concerned about the entertainment quotient in films. I tweeted because some such paid trade analysts, critics and social media influencers kept on running down those who had written/posted/broadcast genuine reviews of the recently released big-budget films while falsely announcing how those films had proven to be blockbusters at the box-office. I was targeted too. And one of the persons targeting me on Twitter was the content head of the production house which had produced the film so being glorified as a blockbuster rather than the box-office success which it actually was and which I had rightly predicted, it would be!! Can you believe this? Of course, the mischief-makers ran for cover (along with the producers, I’m sure) once GADAR 2 turned out to be the real blockbuster — without the support of those paid social media influencers, trade analysts and critics who sell their souls and their reviews. The unfortunate part for these liars was that GADAR 2 came in quick succession of the films which were being touted as blockbusters. Someone had to take a stand and expose such practices. I decided to do it. And I must add, the response of the Twitterati to my exposing tweets was phenomenal.

Why did R. Balki not postpone his Ghoomer instead of releasing it this week, in spite of the tough opposition of Gadar 2 which is still going great guns at the box-office?

– The all-India distributors of the film, PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment, felt, there was no opportune date for releasing GHOOMER in the near future even if it were to be postponed. PEN Marudhar itself has DREAM GIRL 2 and THE VACCINE WAR for releasing in the forthcoming few weeks. But yes, I agree with you. A film like GHOOMER needed to be handled with kid gloves and needed to be released with a lot of planning, love and care. It deserved special attention.

What was the reason for the previous week being so bountiful for the box-office?

– It was an extraordinary week with a national holiday on 15th for Independence Day, and a festive holiday on 16th for Parsi New Year. Also, three big films — GADAR 2, OMG 2 and RAJINI THE JAILER — released last week and they were appreciated by the paying public, and hence the audience showered all their love on the three films!

Did you expect this kind of initial for Gadar 2?

– What do you mean by asking whether we expected this kind of initial for GADAR 2. In our article dated August 5, we had predicted that the GADAR EK PREM KATHA sequel would take a flying start. Here’s the link to that article.

‘GADAR 2’ SET FOR A FLYING START! | 5 August, 2023

Have the producers of OMG 2 made a mistake by releasing the film on the same day as Gadar 2?

– The producers of OMG 2 must’ve been eyeing the Independence Day holiday on Tuesday in the first week. As far as the first day’s (today, 11th August) collections are concerned, OMG 2 seems to have been badly hit by the opposition (GADAR 2). Let’s wait and watch for what happens on Independence Day. If the collections of OMG 2 on 15th August are extraordinary, its producers may have reason to not call their release strategy a mistake.

Why do producers not make more action films like Gadar 2? I am asking this question because I own a single-screen cinema, and the initial of Gadar 2 at my cinema is historic. It is after a long time that I have seen such huge crowds at my cinema.

– What you are saying about GADAR 2 is true. And yes, it is indeed a tragedy that most of the producers are not catering to the masses which frequent single-screen cinemas. Perhaps, that will change soon. After all, RRR, K.G.F. CHAPTER 2, PATHAAN and now GADAR 2 do tell a story — that masses cannot and should not be ignored!

If lack of hit music was the reason for last week’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani not taking a flying start, what was the reason for the increase in collections on Saturday and Sunday?

– Mouth publicity. Since people coming out of the cinemas spoke well about the film, collections picked up during the weekend.

Between Gadar 2 and OMG 2, which, according to you, will take a better initial on 11th August?

– I think, GADAR 2 will open bigger than OMG 2, at least in the North Indian circuits like Delhi-U.P., East Punjab and Rajasthan.

Can’t a programme be devised for the fair allotment of shows to new and already-running films in multiplexes every week?

– That’s a very tough call because one would not know what the public response to a new film would be.

Why was a film like Barbie not dubbed in Hindi and South Indian languages, like other Hollywood films are?

– The studio never expected BARBIE to fare so well in India in direct opposition of OPPENHEIMER. The collections of the original English version of BARBIE must’ve come as a pleasant surprise to the studio itself.

Can you explain the below-the-mark opening of this week’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani?

– I can think of the lack of popularity of its music as the main reason for the slow start of the film. Other reasons like the general reluctance of people to go to the cinemas to watch Bollywood films also contributed, but the absence of super-hit songs in the film was the chief reason.

Will Gadar 2 open well on 11th August?

– There’s a lot of craze for the GADAR EK PREM KATHA sequel in North Indian circuits.

Will Jio Studios remake its Marathi blockbuster, Baipan Bhari Deva, in Hindi, as suggested by you?

– Jio Studios should remake BAIPAN BHARI DEVA not just in Hindi but in several other languages. This story has the potential to work wonders across languages. Remember the Gujarati super-hit, MAIHAR NI CHUNDADI? It was remade in several languages including in Marathi (as MAHERCHI SAADI) and in Rajasthani (BAI CHALI SASARIYE). It did roaring business in many of the languages. BAIPAN BHARI DEVA has the same magic in its subject.

How have today’s Hollywood releases, Oppenheimer and Barbie Doll, taken flying starts? I’m asking this question as many star-cast Bollywood films have been taking lukewarm initials these days.

– More than star names, it is promise of great content, which is selling nowadays. The craze for OPPENHEIMER and BARBIE DOLL had been growing in India since a fortnight. Believe it or not but tickets of Christopher Nolan’s OPPENHEIMER, priced at Rs. 2,500, in Bombay have sold like hotcakes. This means, if the public takes a fancy to a film, no admission rate is too high!!

Will Namit Malhotra be making one film on the Ramayan or will it be a series of films?

– Nobody can do justice to the epic Ramayan in one film. So, I’m sure, it will have to be a series of films.

What has been the public response to the prevue of Jawan, released earlier this week?

– Phenomenal! The opening of the film should be outstanding, going by the craze witnessed for the prevue. People are discussing the prevue, Shah Rukh Khan’s bald pate in it, and what not! After the tremendous response to The Kerala Story, I had expected 72 Hoorain to do well. But it neither took a good opening nor picked up later. Why?

– And just why did you think that 72 HOORAIN would do well? Just because it was about Muslim characters, like THE KERALA STORY was? Well, you probably love to jump to conclusions, that’s the problem. Film business is not mathematics that you can say 2 + 2 = 4.   

You mentioned in your review of Marathi film Baipan Bhari Deva two weeks back that it should be remade in Hindi to reach a larger audience. Will such a film work for the Hindi film-going audience?

– What do you mean by “such a film”? Every film which touches the heart, works for the audience. BAIPAN BHARI DEVA is doing wonders at the Marathi box-office for this very reason. It netted Rs. 12.50 crore in the first week while the second week’s total was Rs. 24.85 crore!! 

What has been the response to the trailer of Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani?

– Fantastic. The trailer has convinced the trade that the film will take a flying start on 28th July.

The entire world seems to be complaining about the high admission rates in multiplexes and the prohibitively high prices of food items and beverages. Are the multiplex owners not bothered?

– Strange as it may sound, the multiplex owners seem to be not bothered at all. They feel (wrongly, I think) that the high admission rates and the expensive food items cannot be the reason for the dwindling footfalls.   

With so much software being produced for the various OTT platforms, how do producers, directors, writers and actors ensure that what they are making is exclusive and that nobody else is making content similar to their own web series or film?

– There is no way one can be sure that nobody else is making similar stuff. One has to just forge ahead with his content and his vision, that’s all.  

Why did Satyaprem Ki Katha not take a very good start yesterday?

– It’s because the film is a love story and a family drama, the feel of which was evident from its trailer (which, incidentally, was loved by the public). It is common knowledge that family dramas and love stories usually don’t open big. Having said that, it must be added that the opening was a bit disappointing considering the fact that yesterday was a holiday for Eid. 

I am a wealthy businessman who now wants to turn a producer too. I’ve signed a National Award-winning director for my first film. Whom should I cast in my film?

– Firstly, your cast will depend upon the script. Secondly, the National Award-winning director may be more interested in making a film for critical acclaim than a box-office winner. That may not go well with your intent to make a commercially viable film. I am assuming that your intention is to make money in film production too, like you’ve made money in your other business/businesses.  

Why are stars paid such hefty fees whereas writers are paid pittance in comparison?

– Because stars are in short supply. Also, because films are sold on the strength of star names, not writers’ names. The public goes to watch films basis the stars in it, not because a particular writer has scripted it.  

Were the mistakes in the content of Adipurush errors in judgement or intentional?

– They were errors in judgement, which could’ve been avoided if the makers had exercised care. But the careless attitude was definitely intentional because they couldn’t have not been aware of them.

What would you term the Rs. 2 crore net collections of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha in the first week of its revival in 2023, two months prior to the release of its sequel?

– Fairly good. Having said that, it must be added that these collections are no indication to the kind of initial the sequel will take on 11th August, 2023. After all, GADAR 2 will come in direct opposition to ANIMAL and OMG 2. 

Will Adipurush ultimately turn out to be a loss-making enterprise?

– Yes, it will. It (all versions combined) may entail a loss of around Rs. 125 crore. For the Hindi version alone, the loss may be Rs. 75 crore. 

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.