AskIndicine: Live Question and Answers starts now!

We have been getting a lot of requests for the Live QnA session. So it’s going to be a quick one today. Shorter answers and we will try and take as many questions as possible.

Post your questions in the comments section below.

Q. Who has more star power between SRK and Aamir?

A. Debatable. SRK has a huge fan-following and is arguably the most loved actor along with Salman. Aamir’s following is very different, they come expecting to watch good films, not just Aamir Khan.

Q. Is it smart to release a film like Mohenjo Daro during Independence Weekend? Doesn’t it deserve a better release date?

A. Independence Day is one of the best days for film business in India. Next only to the day after Diwali puja. If the content is good, release date doesn’t matter. Dubbed version of Baahubali did Rs 115 crore even though it released just a week before Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Q. Can Dilwale take 25 crore plus opening due to presence of SRK despite clash? It will be test of SRK star power

A. Advance booking is excellent. SRK can only ensure high occupancy at theatres on Day 1.  Higher occupancy and good word-of-mouth is more important than opening day numbers, when two big films are releasing on the same day.

Q. After seeing the leaked pictures of Mohenjo Daro, What do you think, will it take 30 crore opening considering solo release and also Hrithik Roshan coming after almost 2 years?

A. Good trailer will be the key, the reach of leaked pictures is limited to social media. 30 crore opening is definitely a possibility, but if Akshay Kumar’s Rustom releases on the same day, it’ll be very difficult.

Q. Will both Shivaay and Mohenjo Daro be one of the all time most expensive projects Bollywood industry will witness? – Aisha Iqbal

A. Mohenjo Daro will be an expensive film. Shivaay will also be huge, but the costs won’t be too high because Ajay is producing, directing and acting in the film. All the money will be spent on production.

Q. Who is bigger star : Akshay Kumar or Ranbir Kapoor?

A. Right now, Akshay Kumar.  Footfalls have always been higher for Akshay, but have not been collecting a lot more is because the occupancy is low at metro cities. In today’s times a big star has to strike the right balance to attract audience both at city multiplexes and mass centres. Baby works to a certain extent at multiplexes, but is a washout at single-screens. Gabbar Is Back does well at mass centres, but underperforms at multiplexes. When both perform well, Akshay films will collect 125 crore plus.

Q. There has been news that FAN has shaped up really well.So what to expect from it. Is it a usual fan film as we have seen over many years? Jack

A. Fan will be a very different film. Everything related to it is a closely guarded secret. But yes, people associated with the film are extremely pleased with the way it has shaped up.

Q. Is it true that SRK has decided to donate 1st day collection of Dilwale to Chennai Flood Victims?

A. Not true.

Q. What is the screen distribution between Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani – single screens and multiplexes?

A. The combined screen count is likely to be around 5500 screens. But many of those screens will be shared by both Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani. For example, a multiplex that has 3 screens running 15 shows per day, might give 8/9 shows to Dilwale and 6/7 shows to Bajirao Mastani.

Q. Why are Ranbir and Emraan having a bad time at box office. Is this because of newcomers?

A. Ranbir and Emraan have been failing because they have been doing bad films. Besharam and Bombay Velvet were outright rejected, Tamasha only worked at select centres. Emraan’s move to work with bigger banners didn’t work, now even his films with Bhatt’s is failing. There is enough space for 10 more bankable actors, the more the better. It’s a myth that one actor affects the business of the other. As long as two films are not releasing on the same day, it doesn’t matter. And which newcomers are you talking about? The only new actor who has quickly climbed the Bollywood ladder is Varun Dhawan. The rest are inconsistent.

Q. SRK’s film with Aanand L. Rai & Imtiaz Ali confirmed?

A. He hasn’t signed those films. Still in talks.

Q. Will boycott protests against Dilwale affect it?

A. No signs of any major impact so far. Advance booking is excellent. SRK has clarified about the intolerance statement and has also donated 1 crore to Chennai Victims.

Q. How much Airlift can collect keeping in mind that it is clashing with Kya Kool Hai Hum 3 and if the trailer also gets same kind of response as the teaser had?

A. Day 1 should be around 10 crore. Lifetime will depend on how the film is liked. If it turns out to be an excellent film, then anything is possible. Even 150 crore, Indians love well-made patriotic films. Kya Kool Hain Hum 3 has a very different audience, but that audience is huge too. Grand Masti collected 100 crore. Families won’t watch it, but masses will.

Q. Has Hrithik Roshan been finalised for Dhoom 4?

A. No.

Q. Like Salman has ruled the industry for consecutively 5 years and still ruling and on top position. Any other star who ruled same or more?

A. In the last 5 years, Aamir Khan has been right up there with Salman. In fact, Salman is yet to deliver the highest grosser of all time in the last 5 years, he came close twice (Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Ek Tha Tiger). This is something that Aamir has done four times - Ghajini, 3 Idiots, Dhoom 3, PK. Having said that, Salman’s 7 blockbuster record is outstanding.

Q. When HAHK is a bigger HIT then why DDLJ is more famous?

A. There is no explanation for such questions. Andaz Apna Apna was a box office failure when it released theatrically. But today it’s the most loved Bollywood comedy. DDLJ was probably a more modern love story, something that even youngsters of today can watch and enjoy.

Q. I know Varun is no where near Shah Rukh in terms of Star Power but don’t you think at least 25-30% of Dilwale opening will be dedicated to Varun because of his massive fan youth followers/his 100% track record too, while 70-75% opening day collection is strictly because of SRK?

A. Doesn’t work that way. Fans are not always dedicated only to one actor and watch only his films. There might be a bunch of people who are die hard Varun Dhawan fans, but they would watch a Shah Rukh Khan film even if it didn’t feature Varun. It’s a combination of various factors that ensures a big initial, SRK’s presence is obviously the biggest factor.

Q. Will Dilwale get 3200 screens in India?

A. Yes, the screen count will be in that range.

End of the QnA session. Thank you for posting your questions.