AskIndicine: Has ended

Q. Why Dangal is getting a solo release? When others are getting clashes like Diwali and Republic Day clash?

A. It depends on the current standing of actors i.e how their last couple of films have performed. Salman and Aamir are the Top 2 stars in the industry today, they have not only delivered 300 plus grossers, but have also dominated the Eid (Salman) and Christmas (Aamir) periods. For other producers, it becomes too big a risk to release another film on the same day, even if they are confident that the content will click. Even more so with Aamir, because the content of his films is almost always good.

If Salman had a release during Diwali this year, the other two films would immediately move, because he’s too big across the country. But with Shivaay and ADHM – Ajay’s core following is at smaller centres and Karan Johar films caters to the multiplex and overseas audience, so there is space for both to perform if they both turn out to be well-made films.

Q. Do you think, as with ADHM vs. Shivvay controversy, the dirty game may also have been played during MohenJo Daro & Rustom clash.

A. Not at all. The main men involved in the clash between Mohenjo Daro and Rustom, were two of the nicest people in the industry. It was a clean clash and both supported each other’s films. The media was negative against Mohenjo Daro, but the media alone cannot be blamed because the promos that the makers of the film put out, were sub-standard.

With ADHM vs Shivaay there was an attempt to try and destroy a film, to get it to move to a different date. Don’t think it’ll work.

Q. What you think of recent Ajay-KRK-KJo fiasco? Will it affect both film’s opening in any way?

A. The gap between the controversy and the release of the two films – which is nearly 50 days – is way too long for it to make any difference at the box office. The campaign is yet to begin, what’ll eventually make a difference is the kind of songs and promos both makers put out.

Q. Indicine, Which movie do you think is the biggest of 2017? I mean which movie looks the biggest as of now. Tubelight, Thug. Bahubaali 2, Raees, Robot 2, Kaabil, The Ring? Kindly answer this one and please have a poll.

A. Our pick, in order of preference – Baahubali 2, Raees, Robot 2, Tubelight, The Ring, Thug, Kaabil. Poll below.

Q. Why industry is fighting over a clash? Is this matter cannot sort out peacefully? Why Ajay is fighting again for a Diwali clash?

A. (Our opinion) Ideally, when there is a big film that has been made on a big budget (Mohenjo Daro / Shivaay) it should get a solo release – because it would give the film the best possible chance to recover costs. However, every filmmaker is free to announce / release his film on any given day of the year. There are only 52 weeks in a year and more than 200 film releases. It becomes even more difficult when every big filmmaker or star wants a solo release during one of the three major festive weekends every year.

Q. Don’t you think 2017 will be best year for Akshay Kumar?

A. He has an interesting line-up that’s for sure, but whether or not 2017 will be his best year cannot be predicted. On paper, 2015 looked way more promising for him than 2016. Also, Housefull 3 was expected to be his biggest grosser this year, but it turned out to be his lowest.

Q. We all say that word of mouth make a movie a true blockbuster. However, I don’t understand how did Dhoom 3 become such a huge hit. Nowadays, word of mouth comes in from the first day’s evening shows or the next day and back then in 2013 it was after the first weekend it came into affect. So how did it go on to score around 100 crs even after the first week.

A. Expectations from a Dhoom film, content-wise, isn’t sky high. The first Dhoom film was arguably the best in the franchise and since then each film has been weaker than the previous movie. People watch Dhoom films for action. songs, good looking girls and the lead villain is obviously the biggest attraction. The next Dhoom film, if it features someone like a Shah Rukh Khan, could do 350+ even if isn’t a great film. But if it turns out to be the best film in the franchise, then even 400 crore plus cannot be ruled out.

Q. MohenjoDaro is decent film with a superstar like HR. Why then was the box collection as low as 60 crore. In the past, we have seen many bad films had done good business due to presence of superstars.

A. The trailer was poor, the promos that followed weren’t appealing enough and when the audience had two choices – they decided to spend their hard-earned money on the better option (Rustom). Even FAN with a solo release did just 85 crore and Joker which was also rejected did less than 25 crore. Jai Ho and Talaash were a lot lower than most Salman – Aamir films too. So no star is bigger than the film, a superstar can add tremendous value to a well-made film, but can’t save a bad films from sinking at the box office. The ‘intellectuals’ and critics in our industry consider films like ‘Bodyguard’ and ‘Dabangg 2’ to be poor films, but they are not. A large section of the audience at B and C centres like those films more than a ‘Kapoor and Sons’ or Airlift’.

Q. If Baar Baar Dekho opens well at box office, then credit goes to Siddharth Malhotra or Katrina?

A. The biggest factors that are driving the film is music and marketing. Katrina is still one of the most popular female stars in the country and Sidharth has a following amongst the urban youth too. All these factors combined, should help the box office opening of the film.

Q. Big fan of your site. My question is may I know what is the reason behind the contradiction of star ranking between your site and another site? Because, the ranking is calculated on both domestic points based on number of 100 crore films and also gives 50 points for overseas Top 10 each for individual actors. So may I know which one should be considered true? The list of actors on the other site’s power index is slightly different than your site ranking. Please answer. Thanks.

A. Including names of other websites in the QnA or in the comments section is not allowed. How can we answer for other websites? They have their own system to rank stars and we have ours. We believe the method we use is simple enough to understand for our readers, as well as for people in the industry (actors included) and trade. We have only received positive feedback.

Ranking actors based on points for 100 crore films makes no sense whatsoever. Salman’s Ek Tha Tiger collected Rs 199 crore, so if we use the points system, Salman would miss out on a lot of points just because his films failed to add 1 crore. We also like to keep domestic box office rankings separate from overseas.

Q. If music of ADHM turn out to be as excellent as the title song, how much it will help in its opening?

A. Quite a lot, because Karan Johar films are known for its music and it did enhance the feel of some of his earlier films. We have also been informed that the trailer of ADHM will be out on September 29.

Q. Big fan of your site. My question is may I know what is the reason behind the contradiction of star ranking between your site and another site? Because, the ranking is calculated on both domestic points based on number of 100 crore films and also gives 50 points for overseas Top 10 each for individual actors. So may I know which one should be considered true? The list of actors on the other site’s power index is slightly different than your site ranking. Please reply me. Thanks.

A. Including names of other websites in the QnA or in the comments section is not allowed. We cannot answer for other sites either, they have their own way of ranking and we have ours. We believe the method we use is simple enough to understand for our readers and a lot of people in the industry (actors included) and trade like our system too.

Ranking actors based on points for 100 crore films makes no sense whatsoever. Salman’s Ek Tha Tiger collected Rs 199 crore, so if we use the points system, Salman would miss out on all the points just because his films failed to add 1 crore.

Q. Shivaay or Ae Dil Hai Mushkil? Which movie has better buzz and which one will take bigger opening?

A. If the two movies were to release today, both would probably open at around the same level – with Shivaay leading by around 1-2 crore due to a very well-received trailer. But the campaign of both films has only just begun. We currently have Shivaay at 14.6 crore and ADHM at 12.7 crore on our FBO. Keep following the FBO page for latest updates. It could change quite significantly when more promos are out.

[advert]

Q. Can Raees collects 50 cr plus on its opening day if he has solo released?

A. Highly unlikely. Anything above 30 crore will be a good total, 35 plus will be excellent.

Q. Toilet : Ek Prem Katha and Crack both are same film or different?

A. Different films.

Q. Is there any update on Hrithik next? Any suggestion from your side about what type of movies he should do to back on top. Can he afford another clash with Raees ?

A. He’s been in the industry for long enough to know what kind of films he should be doing. As for the clash, it should be averted. It does not matter which film releases on Republic Day, but there should only be one film. Both SRK and Hrithik have just delivered a box office flop (FAN and MJD), so a clash between two stars who aren’t at their best, isn’t ideal.

Q. What can be the reason of Akshay not doing Movies with bigger Heroines like Katrina, Deepika, Kareena etc.? Is it cost issue as he makes Movies in controlled Budget or is it that the pair might get too repetitive?

A. Akshay gives bulk dates and prefers completing his films in less than 2 months. The problem with working with top female stars is working out the dates. It’s easier to work with smaller stars. Their dates are available, the casting is fresh and it also keeps the budget in control.

Q. One underperformer movie of Rohit Shetty & everyone is underestimating him. Before Dilwale release every actor wanted to work with him. After the success of Chennai Express SRK was very fond of Rohit but when Dilwale underperformed its all the fault of Rohit. Can u explain this hypocrisy of Bollywood People?

A. That’s how the industry has always been. Every new film is a test and if you fail, the perception changes and questions will be asked. Rohit Shetty is still one of the top directors in the industry today and it’s a wise decision on his part to direct Golmaal 4 next.

Q. How are the internal reports for Raees?

A. The reports are very good and Excel is confident the film will do well.

Q. Is SRK doing a cameo in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil?

A. Yes, Shah Rukh Khan will be seen in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. His role should be liked too.

We are ending today’s QnA session due to internet connectivity issues. The remaining questions will be answered next week. Apologies for today and thank you for joining us.