Bollywood Off To Low-key Start: Sholay 3D Gets The Better Of Mr Joe B. Carvalho

Bollywood can’t create a Dhoom every time – even when it is a ‘3D’ version of a timeless epic like Sholay. As for Arshad Warsi and Soha Ali Khan-starrer comedy flick Mr Joe B Carvalho, the box office response has been nothing less than disastrous – just Rs 2.25 crore nett at home after the first weekend, according to industry estimates. Its collections went further down to Rs 30-35 lakh on Day 4 (Monday, January 6).

In contrast, Sholay 3D has done much better and scooped up about Rs 5.6 crore in India after the 4th day. The new version has cost about Rs 22 crore, including restoration and conversion expenses, and hit 1,000 screens. Till date, the occupancy was 60-70% and Sholay 3D is expected to keep up the tempo in the next few weeks. Not bad for a movie that is 38-year-old and can only rekindle nostalgia.

But it’s a different story when you watch Carvalho. Directed by Samir Tewari, the flick also stars Jaaved Jaffrey and Vijay Raaj, and has reportedly opened in 1,100 screens across the country. Moreover, it has all the regular dose of masala – Arshad plays a detective for the first time in a Hindi movie (a small-time private eye from Bengaluru); police officer Shantipriya Phadnis (Soha) appears in her first-ever bikini shot and does some cabaret; and Jaaved or ‘Carlos’ enacts a number of quirky characters whenever he comes on screen. But in spite of their best efforts (at least Arshad has been pretty smooth throughout), the plot lacks thrill; the gags are stale and comedy has taken flight – leaving behind some skeletal, cartoonish shells.

Interestingly, this is Tewari’s directorial debut and one really wonders if he is in the industry to stay. As for Arshad, one only hopes this lacklustre flick won’t affect his upcoming movie Dedh Ishqiya, releasing on January 10.

But before we conclude, here’s a piece of BO news that will cheer up all. Aamir Khan’s Dhoom 3 has vroomed past all limits and grossed Rs 501.35 crore ($83.56 million) worldwide (India & overseas business) since its release on December 20 last year. Producers Yash Raj Films (YRF) has also issued a statement confirming the news.

“Dhoom 3 continues to create history at both the Indian and overseas box office. It is now officially the first Indian film to cross Rs 500 crore worldwide,” the statement said. Now that the box office landmark has been set, will it be the new Bollywood reality for the rest of the year? Maybe the release of Dedh Ishqiya can help us get over a dismal beginning.

Image: Indiatimes