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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.