Q. Which system is used in the industry for verdicts, the return on investment or per print?
A. Slowly the industry is seeing the theatrical way is the way forward as you can't bring in satellite, music and video prices to judge a film at the box office, it must be theatrical collections. Some in the trade do stick to ROI but don't stick to it for every film.
Q. Why did Yamla Pagla Deewana take a big opening despite the cast not being hot today and lack of hit music?
A. It took a big single screen opening as Sunny Deol is still a force in single screens if presented in the right way. In the North, the Dharmendra factor helped as it brings a non regular film going older generation to the theatres so multiplexes also scored as families came out.
A. It took a big single screen opening as Sunny Deol is still a force in single screens if presented in the right way. In the North, the Dharmendra factor helped as it brings a non regular film going older generation to the theatres so multiplexes also scored as families came out.
Q. Can Dhobi Ghat beat the business of Peepli Live as it stars Aamir Khan while Peepli Live was only produced by him and he was not actually there in the film?
A. It will be a huge surprise if Dhobi Ghat comes anywhere close to Peepli [Live]. Dhobi Ghat seems to be lacking in entertainment so opening will be low, it could pick up at select metro multiplexes. On the other hand Peeple [Live] offered some entertainment through its promos which gave it a chance at the box office.
A. It will be a huge surprise if Dhobi Ghat comes anywhere close to Peepli [Live]. Dhobi Ghat seems to be lacking in entertainment so opening will be low, it could pick up at select metro multiplexes. On the other hand Peeple [Live] offered some entertainment through its promos which gave it a chance at the box office.
Q. Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji and Dhobi Ghat made no looses for and money for everyone, so shouldn't the verdict be more than Below Average?
A. When films don't perform at the box office there are always losses for someone. Dil Toh Baccha Hai lost money for some distributors while Dhobi Ghat was a loser for many exhibitors as it had to be pulled out some theatres after ten days as it was probably no collecting enough to cover the show costs
Q. Can any heroine today carry a film at the box office?
A. Today its very difficult as business is mainly about getting that opening weekend in and heroine oriented subjects don't open well.
Q. Can you tell me the biggest hits of Shashi Kapoor?
A. The biggest were the Manoj Kumar directed multistarrers Kranti and Roti Kapada Makaan but as solo lead they were Jab Jab Phool Khile, Chor Machaye Shor and Fakira.
A. The biggest were the Manoj Kumar directed multistarrers Kranti and Roti Kapada Makaan but as solo lead they were Jab Jab Phool Khile, Chor Machaye Shor and Fakira.
Q. Why has business become so low in UK and US?
A. Its not just for Hindi films, even Hollywood film's have not been doing great over last year. Its more of a case of consumer spending down on leisure activities in the country with Hindi films also facing rampant piracy with films available on day of release to download. Hopefully Ra1 and Don 2 will get the big numbers overseas.
Q. What are the expectations for Ajay Devgan's Singham?
A. Huge, the way distributors are very confident of this film, it could do business of over 100 crore nett. The promo out this week is being compared to Dabangg promo by those who have seen it.
Q. Imran Khan has had two hits recently, is he now ahead of Ranbir Kapoor out of the younger heroes?
A. Ranbir Kapoor is in a one horse race as far as the young heroes are concerned at the box office. Imran Khan is yet to put up good numbers outside the urban centres, even a mass film like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan does well in the same places as Delhi Belly does well.
A. Ranbir Kapoor is in a one horse race as far as the young heroes are concerned at the box office. Imran Khan is yet to put up good numbers outside the urban centres, even a mass film like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan does well in the same places as Delhi Belly does well.
Q. Do you think that films like London Dreams and Veer would have been big hits now as Salman Khan is just unstoppable at the box office?
A. Content still matters. Even if released today, Veer would only be a hit in places like Rajasthan and CI while London Dreams would flop as it did in 2009.
A. Content still matters. Even if released today, Veer would only be a hit in places like Rajasthan and CI while London Dreams would flop as it did in 2009.
Q. How has the music of Ra.One and Rockstar fared.
A. Chammak Challo is a hit song from Ra.One but the music as a whole is fair. Rockstar music is going up every week.
A. Chammak Challo is a hit song from Ra.One but the music as a whole is fair. Rockstar music is going up every week.
Q. There are foreign artists like Akon singing in Ra.One, Ludacris for Speedy Singhs, Kylie Minogue in Blue, is this a big boost to the box office potential of films?
A. It is all irrelevant as these people are are not popular in India and not even known as far as 95% of the audience is concerned. If what ever they do in Hindi films is very good then it will appreciated, otherwise there names makes no difference
Q. Which film has the best word of mouth in 2011?
A. Probably Ready followed Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Singham on an all India basis.
A. Probably Ready followed Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Singham on an all India basis.
Q. Can Ra.One Do a 20 crore day one?
A. With the mega release it has the potential but first day is Diwali Puja and business is hit by 35%. The second day should be the biggest day in history. If first day is anywhere near 20 crore then the film is likely to smash all weekend and first week records by a disatnce.
A. With the mega release it has the potential but first day is Diwali Puja and business is hit by 35%. The second day should be the biggest day in history. If first day is anywhere near 20 crore then the film is likely to smash all weekend and first week records by a disatnce.
Q. There are super successful heroines in the film industry like Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif but do they make a difference to the saleability film as everyone calls it a hero dominated industry ?
A. See this depends on the film, if Kareena or Katrina are in a film which features one of the 5 or 6 biggest superstars then there is no difference from the saleability point of view but if its not a film of these big stars then they make a big difference and could he even be biggest selling point.
A. See this depends on the film, if Kareena or Katrina are in a film which features one of the 5 or 6 biggest superstars then there is no difference from the saleability point of view but if its not a film of these big stars then they make a big difference and could he even be biggest selling point.
Q. What will be the final investment of Ra.One?
A. The landing cost will probably be around the 125 crore plus by the time it is releases everywhere.
A. The landing cost will probably be around the 125 crore plus by the time it is releases everywhere.
Q. Which is the biggest grosser more overseas, Zindagi Na mMilegi Dobara or Bodyguard?
A. Bodyguard but Ra.One will beat all by a disatnce.
A. Bodyguard but Ra.One will beat all by a disatnce.
Q. Will Agneepath and Tezz release on the same day in January?
A. Agneepath is a certainty for that date and it is unlikely the makers of Tezz would risk the clash as Agneepath is a very big film.
A. Agneepath is a certainty for that date and it is unlikely the makers of Tezz would risk the clash as Agneepath is a very big film.
Q. Do you think Ra.One can beat the business of films like Dabangg and Bodyguard at single screens?
A. Opening is possible but lifetime may be tough as Dabangg and Bodyguard type of action fares tend to have a bigger market with the single screen audience.
Q. Will the huge opening of Ra.One mean Shahrukh Khanis top again and ahead of Salman Khan?
A. Unlikely, he will have to get same opening with Don then maybe. Basically the Khans can all get the openings with the big commercial ventures but the biggest star will be the one who has the most volume of films and that is likely to be Salman Khan.
A. Unlikely, he will have to get same opening with Don then maybe. Basically the Khans can all get the openings with the big commercial ventures but the biggest star will be the one who has the most volume of films and that is likely to be Salman Khan.
Q. Can Ra.One become a blockbuster and the biggest hit of the year?
A. Chances are practically zero, probably hit due to opening and star power.
A. Chances are practically zero, probably hit due to opening and star power.
Q. Who are the greatest directors of Hindi cinema of all time?
A. Raj Kapoor and Manmohan Desai stand well ahead of the others. Raj Kapoor directed the biggest hit in 1949 and the biggest hit in 1985 a gap of 36 years and many biggest hits of the year in between those years. The legend directed ten films and seven of them were the biggest hits of the year when released. Normally a big director may get the biggest hit of the year once in a career and that would be great. Manmohan Desai had umpteen mega hits between 1970 and 1985 and no director did or is ever likely again to see such mega success on such volume of films.
Q. Ra.One was expected to do 175 crore before release but it will just do 120 crore so it has fallen well short of expectations?
A. You can only have expectations of an opening before release not the final lifetime as that is totally dependent on how public reacts to the film. The opening probably fell 20% short, 10% if we allow for Diwali Puja. 175 crore would have been excellent, but 120 may not be a great but is still a good number. The final figure will be just 17-18% lower than Bodyguard which is the highest grosser of the year.
A. You can only have expectations of an opening before release not the final lifetime as that is totally dependent on how public reacts to the film. The opening probably fell 20% short, 10% if we allow for Diwali Puja. 175 crore would have been excellent, but 120 may not be a great but is still a good number. The final figure will be just 17-18% lower than Bodyguard which is the highest grosser of the year.
Q. In the 70's and 80's almost all directors made big budget commercial Hindi masala films with universal appeal and today a lot make big budget dark and off beat films like Rockstar, Kites, Guzaarish etc. Is it because today there are no directors left who make Hindi commercial cinema or because masala cinema is not as strong at the box office today
A. There are directors like Anees Bazmee, Farah Khan, Sajid Khan and Rohit Shetty who make full out big budget commercial masala films and its nothing to do with box office as these directors all have excellent box office track records. The scarcity of directors who believe in commercial masala cinema today is probably why the break-even ratio is down to 15% from 50% in the early 80's as its commercial masala films that have universal appeal and bigger box office returns.
A. There are directors like Anees Bazmee, Farah Khan, Sajid Khan and Rohit Shetty who make full out big budget commercial masala films and its nothing to do with box office as these directors all have excellent box office track records. The scarcity of directors who believe in commercial masala cinema today is probably why the break-even ratio is down to 15% from 50% in the early 80's as its commercial masala films that have universal appeal and bigger box office returns.
Q. Which film has the biggest brand value Dhoom, Golmaal, Munnabhai or Dabangg?
A. On an all India level its Dhoom followed by Dabangg while big cities it will be Munnabhai.
A. On an all India level its Dhoom followed by Dabangg while big cities it will be Munnabhai.
Q. How much money will Eros/SRK and distributors make or lose with Ra.One ?
A. SRK/Eros will in the plus by around 20 crore or more. Most distributors are safe.
Q. Which are the films over the next months which have a chance to hit the 100 crore nett mark?
A. Don 2, Agneepath and Housefull 2.
A. Don 2, Agneepath and Housefull 2.
P Chohan
Q. Desi Boyz has good promotion and created a big buzz over last two weeks do you think it can take a 35 crore opening weekend?
A. On the ground level with exhibitors and distributors it is not too hot so it may have a buzz but there is not much actual enquiries from the public so a 35 crore opening looks near impossible task. A 25 crore nett weekend is probably more realistic number for the weekend. If word of mouth is good then a bit higher but 35 crore nett is very unlikely.
A. On the ground level with exhibitors and distributors it is not too hot so it may have a buzz but there is not much actual enquiries from the public so a 35 crore opening looks near impossible task. A 25 crore nett weekend is probably more realistic number for the weekend. If word of mouth is good then a bit higher but 35 crore nett is very unlikely.
Q. Shahrukh Khan has been undisputed number one in overseas for decades but don't you think he has been caught by the others like Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan today ?
A. If some markets others are closer but its like one guy is giving SRK a run for his money in one market, in another he is number 4 or 5. Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan are close today in North America but well behind in UK. Salman Khan is close in UAE and Pakistan but well short in North America. Shahrukh Khan is the only actor strong across all overseas markets as well as a following in places like Germany, France and Poland.
Q. Which films are the top musical hits of the year ?
A. Ready and Bodyguard.
A. Ready and Bodyguard.
Q. Your box office rankings put Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn out of the top five while there are rankings on TV and internet which have them on top five based on public voting and research so should they not be in your top five?
A. Only box office collections decides popularity not voting and research. The rankings you are talking about are probably not based on boxoffice so are sort of irrelevant.
A. Only box office collections decides popularity not voting and research. The rankings you are talking about are probably not based on boxoffice so are sort of irrelevant.
Q. Is it easier of big stars today to give blockbusters then say ten years ago?
A. Of course as business is becoming more and more about initial every week. Ten tears ago initial was also important but a film needed at least 100 days run at big centres to be a big hit, today you can score a blockbuster with a solo one week run.
A. Of course as business is becoming more and more about initial every week. Ten tears ago initial was also important but a film needed at least 100 days run at big centres to be a big hit, today you can score a blockbuster with a solo one week run.
Q. Who are the top five most popular heroines in the industry?
A. The top five are Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma. Now after The Dirty Picture Vidya Balan will also be somewhere amongst the top five.
Q. What are the expectations for the first weekend of Don 2?
A. It looks a 45 crore nett weekend at the moment. A couple of circuits could see new records for opening day.
A. It looks a 45 crore nett weekend at the moment. A couple of circuits could see new records for opening day.
Q. Does the UK government offer subsidy to Indian film makers and if so how much will have Ra.One and Desi Boyz got back.?
A. There is a subsidy sheme in UK for films shot there. RA.One would have got back around 15-17 crore while 6-7 crore for Desi Boyz.
Q. Will Don 2 beat the business of Ra.One?
A. Content will decide as opening week may not be as strong because Ra.One had a five day weekend. For Don 2 both Christmas and new year holidays are falling on the wrong days.
A. Content will decide as opening week may not be as strong because Ra.One had a five day weekend. For Don 2 both Christmas and new year holidays are falling on the wrong days.
Q. Will Don 2 be another blockbuster for the year making it four blockbusters 2011?
A. Unlikely probably hit film unless multiplexes get good number of shows for next week then chance of being Super Hit.
A. Unlikely probably hit film unless multiplexes get good number of shows for next week then chance of being Super Hit.
Q. Is Ra.One the biggest hit in Overseas for 2011?
A. At the moment it is but seems like Don 2 will probably beat it in the final count.
A. At the moment it is but seems like Don 2 will probably beat it in the final count.
Q. Can Don 2 become the biggest Worldwide grosser of 2011?
A. It will definitely be second and it has chances to be top as well but that will depend on what total it can get from Overseas. A $15 million total from Overseas will take it to the top and above Bodyguard.
A. It will definitely be second and it has chances to be top as well but that will depend on what total it can get from Overseas. A $15 million total from Overseas will take it to the top and above Bodyguard.
Q. Which are the biggest hit songs of 2011 on an all India level as every chart has a different five?
A. These things are hard to evaluate especially on an all India level unless you have clear cut sensations like Munni Badnam or Sheila Ki Jawaani. What can be said is that Ready is the biggest album of the year as that will earn the most money from its music.
Q. Will Don 2 and Ra.One not being the biggest grossers affect the star power of Shahrukh Khan?
A. Don 2 and Ra.One are the second and third biggest worldwide grossers of the year and both of them are in the top five of all time so if they are not big grossers then not many films are.
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YOU ASKED IT
A. Don 2 and Ra.One are the second and third biggest worldwide grossers of the year and both of them are in the top five of all time so if they are not big grossers then not many films are.
