Mumbai:
Keeping its conventional date with Diwali, the festival of lights, Bollywood is banking on the weekend release of three films, including Shahrukh Khan's much-awaited magnum opus RA.One, to rake in the moolah.
It is conventional wisdom in Bollywood to release movies during Diwali in a bid to set the box office register ringing.
And this Diwali too is no exception. Setting the tone is Shahrukh's most ambitious projectRA.One which is releasing tomorrow followed by Hema Malini's Tell Me OKkhuda and Himesh Reshammiya's Damadamm.
Trade analysts feel 'Ra.One', with its innovative and aggressive marketing, coupled with planned promotional drive will take the shine off the two other films.
"People not only in India but also abroad are looking forward to RA.One. The other two films--Tell Me OKkhuda and Damadamm--will be affected due to RA.One," trade analyst Taran Adarsh told PTI.
Diwali is a big gamble for the tinsel town managers. Last year, Golmaal 3 and Action Replayy, directed by Rohit Shetty and Vipul Shah respectively vied for the box office pie.
While the former managed to cut across the audiences, Action Replayy failed to make much impact even after having stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Akshay Kumar.
In the 1990's and early 2000's, too, movies released during the festival of lights had boosted the prospects of many films--prominent among them being Yash Chopra's Veer Zaara, Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein (2000), Yash Chopra's Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Aditya Chopra's Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Karan Johar's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Sooraj Barjatiya's Hum Saath Saath Hainamong others.
Trade pundits are almost unanimous in their prediction that RA.One with the kind of hype it has generated besides unique genre will steal the show.
"Today, there is a space for every film. Having two-three releases during the festive season is not a bad deal...as people have options. But looking at RA.One promotions...the hype that is created around the film it is obvious that it will fare well at the box office," Manoj Desai, owner of Gaiety and Galaxy Cinema, said.
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, RA.One casts Shahrukh, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal in lead roles besides superstars Rajnikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt andPriyanka Chopra making guest appearance.
Bollywood's tryst with festive season is not new rather is an established trend.
"Usually, the industry gets its biggest blockbusters during festive season. For big banners, October is a very crucial month. It is an important period for filmmakers toearn money as the collection goes up considerably.
"This year RA.One will emerge as the winner," observed director Anees Bazmee whose film 'Ready' was one of the biggest hits this year.
Another trade analyst Komal Nahta said, "Diwali is an important time for filmmakers to release movies as the business shoots upto 15 to 20 per cent more. Looking at thepromotions of RA.One and the curiosity generated around the movie it will do well at the box office. I expect the movie will make business of Rs 85 to 100 crore in the firstweekend."
Besides RA.One, Hema Malini's Tell Me OKkhuda, viewed as comeback vehicle for daughter Esha Deol, is talk of the town. Esha will be seen sharing screen space with father Dharmendra for the first time in the flick.
Besides Esha's film, Himesh Reshammiya's comedy flick Damadamm, too, is releasing on Thursday.
This year's biggest hits so far are Salman Khan starrers Ready and Bodyguard, Ajay Devgn's Singham and Aamir Khan's Delhi Belly.
Obviously, all eyes are now set on RA.One.
It is conventional wisdom in Bollywood to release movies during Diwali in a bid to set the box office register ringing.
And this Diwali too is no exception. Setting the tone is Shahrukh's most ambitious projectRA.One which is releasing tomorrow followed by Hema Malini's Tell Me OKkhuda and Himesh Reshammiya's Damadamm.
Trade analysts feel 'Ra.One', with its innovative and aggressive marketing, coupled with planned promotional drive will take the shine off the two other films.
"People not only in India but also abroad are looking forward to RA.One. The other two films--Tell Me OKkhuda and Damadamm--will be affected due to RA.One," trade analyst Taran Adarsh told PTI.
Diwali is a big gamble for the tinsel town managers. Last year, Golmaal 3 and Action Replayy, directed by Rohit Shetty and Vipul Shah respectively vied for the box office pie.
While the former managed to cut across the audiences, Action Replayy failed to make much impact even after having stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Akshay Kumar.
In the 1990's and early 2000's, too, movies released during the festival of lights had boosted the prospects of many films--prominent among them being Yash Chopra's Veer Zaara, Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein (2000), Yash Chopra's Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Aditya Chopra's Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Karan Johar's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Sooraj Barjatiya's Hum Saath Saath Hainamong others.
Trade pundits are almost unanimous in their prediction that RA.One with the kind of hype it has generated besides unique genre will steal the show.
"Today, there is a space for every film. Having two-three releases during the festive season is not a bad deal...as people have options. But looking at RA.One promotions...the hype that is created around the film it is obvious that it will fare well at the box office," Manoj Desai, owner of Gaiety and Galaxy Cinema, said.
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, RA.One casts Shahrukh, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal in lead roles besides superstars Rajnikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt andPriyanka Chopra making guest appearance.
Bollywood's tryst with festive season is not new rather is an established trend.
"Usually, the industry gets its biggest blockbusters during festive season. For big banners, October is a very crucial month. It is an important period for filmmakers toearn money as the collection goes up considerably.
"This year RA.One will emerge as the winner," observed director Anees Bazmee whose film 'Ready' was one of the biggest hits this year.
Another trade analyst Komal Nahta said, "Diwali is an important time for filmmakers to release movies as the business shoots upto 15 to 20 per cent more. Looking at thepromotions of RA.One and the curiosity generated around the movie it will do well at the box office. I expect the movie will make business of Rs 85 to 100 crore in the firstweekend."
Besides RA.One, Hema Malini's Tell Me OKkhuda, viewed as comeback vehicle for daughter Esha Deol, is talk of the town. Esha will be seen sharing screen space with father Dharmendra for the first time in the flick.
Besides Esha's film, Himesh Reshammiya's comedy flick Damadamm, too, is releasing on Thursday.
This year's biggest hits so far are Salman Khan starrers Ready and Bodyguard, Ajay Devgn's Singham and Aamir Khan's Delhi Belly.
Obviously, all eyes are now set on RA.One.
Topstories, Shah Rukh Khan, RA.One, Ra One, Tamil, Telugu, Bollywood, SRK, Kareena Kapoor, Chammak Challo, Bhare Naina, Vishal Shekhar, 3D, G.One, Karan Johar, Tarun Mansukhani, Expensive, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Cameo, Voiceover, Game, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Advance Booking, INOX, Golcha, Jaipur, Akshay Kumar, Blue, Aamir Khan, Ghajini, Hrithik Roshan, Krrish, Kambakkht Ishq, Tell Me O Khuda, Bodyguard, Ready, Anees Bazmee, Komal Nahta, Taran Adarsh, Review, Eros International
