How important is Jab Tak Hai Jaan for SRK? Joginder answers

In Part 2 of ‘Joginder answers’, film critic and trade analyst Joginder Tuteja answers a few more questions.

1. How important is ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ for Shahrukh Khan’s career as his last 3 films have not done too well at the box office (although MNIK, Ra.One and Don 2 are blockbusters overseas) whereas Salman Khan is ruling today? – Gaurav Handa

• Yes, Salman Khan is ruling today but that has no bearing on Shahrukh Khan or for that matter Akshay Kumar or Aamir Khan, all of whom can deliver a humungous opening for their films consistently. Coming to your main question, ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ is as important for Shahrukh Khan as a biggie would be for any other superstar. However, the film has to do quite well critically as well as commercially for him; not from the perspective of him maintaining his superstar status but getting an entire perception shift that seems to have crept in during last year or so. Otherwise the three films that you mention have all seen very good initial footfalls (while Don 2 and My Name Is Khan hung on as well) that are a clear indication of audience still rooting for him. Still, the perception game has to definitely change.

2. What are the box office prospects of Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Shootout At Wadala’ and ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2’? – Saurabh Mishra

• Both films are super-hot in trade, industry and of course audience. ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2’ is all set to get a very good head start due to the brand value as well as the fact that it is a much loved film amongst the masses. Moreover, Akshay Kumar’s presence adds further weight to the film due to which it should take a record opening for an Ekta Kapoor production. On the other hand ‘Shootout At Wadala’ is also gaining steam. As per insiders who have had a dekko at the film, Sanjay Gupta is all set for a stunning comeback. Both films would most definitely enable Ekta Kapoor’s entry into the 100 crore club.

3. What are your box office predictions for Emraan Hashmi’s ‘Rush’? Do you think it will make more than 50 crore? – Huzaifa Zafar

• 50 crore is quite tough and I am sure even the makers won’t be setting huge targets. The film is arriving one week after ‘Student of the Year’, facing some level of competition from ‘Ajab Gazabb Love’ and ‘Chakravyuh’ and post that would face immediate challenge from ‘Skyfall’ (at multiplexes) and ‘1920 – Evil Returns’ (at single screens). Anything above 30 crores should be a satisfying total for all involved.

4. What was the reason for failure of Salman Khan before ‘Wanted’? How could he come back strongly after that? – Prabesh Rai

• Watch Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Luck By Chance’ and you would get the answer. Superstars like Salman Khan don’t have continued failure for a long stretch, they just have bad phases and in Salman’s case, the biggest culprit was the ‘perception’ factor more than anything else. His personal issues were plaguing his fan following while health issues were not allowing him to ‘look’ like a superstar (the ‘Yuvvraaj’ phase). This is where the comeback came into picture which falls into a ‘luck by chance’ category. Remember that ‘Wanted’ was a delayed film and had its own challenges to be completed. Even Salman’s look had a continuity problem. However targeted marketing did the trick for him and once the film was accepted by masses, he grabbed the opportunity and went on to sign many films in the same genre.

5. According to you which movie will collect more at the box office Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Talaash or Dabangg 2? – Saddam

• While ‘Dabangg 2’ is all set to be the biggest of them all, as of now ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ is a better bet over ‘Talaash’. Reason being that Salman starrer is an accepted brand while Yash Chopra-Shahrukh Khan combination is huge. On the other hand ‘Talaash’ appears to be a good film though for a suspense thriller, it becomes tough to score as much as a family film or a ‘masala’ action affair. It would be huge though for sure and between the three of them, the trio of Khans would be delivering some solid money-spinners.

You can ask Joginder a question – just fill the form below. If your question is selected, it will be answered next Sunday by film critic and trade analyst Joginder Tuteja.

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