<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35077673.cms" /> It never rains but it pours, at least in <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>, and this time, you get to see half-a-dozen low-budget flicks vying for visibility and struggling for a successful <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> run. Mind you, when we say half-a-dozen, we are not exaggerating – here is the complete list of six – <keyword id="6375259" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manjunath">Manjunath</keyword>, <keyword id="2178404" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Koyelaanchal">Koyelaanchal</keyword>, <keyword id="1835898" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hawaa-Hawaai">Hawaa Hawaai</keyword>, <keyword id="2069848" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mastram">Mastram</keyword>, <keyword id="2093570" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yeh-Hai-Bakrapur">Yeh Hai Bakrapur</keyword> and finally, <keyword id="1276718" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Khwaabb">Khwaabb</keyword>. So catch your breath as we run you through them quickly. There is just one common factor here – all of them turn out to be pretty intriguing, irrespective of the sluggish response at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword>. 
 
Manjunath: Bitter to the end 
Our first choice is Manjunath, a biopic directed and co-produced by <keyword id="2239399" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sandeep-A-Varma">Sandeep A. Varma</keyword>, which tells the true story of the <keyword id="6354412" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="indian-oil">Indian Oil</keyword> <keyword id="6420527" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="executive">executive</keyword> <keyword id="479971" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manjunath-Shanmugam">Manjunath Shanmugam</keyword> and his fight against the <keyword id="425101" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="oil-mafia">oil mafia</keyword> of Uttar Pradesh. The murder of this IIM braveheart for his whistleblowing act is still considered a national tragedy, but Varma’s kind of docu-drama unfolds a dark reality that’s too chilling and too gut-wrenching to give way to tears. The movie meanders at times, but the protagonist, brilliantly played by newcomer <keyword id="2239401" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sasho-Satish-Saarthy">Sasho Satish Saarthy</keyword>, takes you to a world where <keyword id="46183" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Corruption">corruption</keyword> is a way of life. However, the verdict at the domestic box office has been harsh and Manjunath only managed to nett around Rs 1 crore after Day 4 while debut day earnings were a paltry Rs 15-20 lakh. 
 
Koyelaanchal: Look what’s unearthed 
The second flick under scanner is Koyelaanchal, produced and directed by <keyword id="1235537" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ashu-Trikha">Ashu Trikha</keyword>. After <keyword id="486655" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gangs-of-Wasseypur">Gangs of Wasseypur</keyword> and <keyword id="6427325" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gunday">Gunday</keyword>, it is the latest from Bollywood on the exploits of the <keyword id="85025" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="coal-mafia">coal mafia</keyword> and had a huge release, especially in single screens. But the film tripped at the box office and collected about Rs 45 lakh on the opening day. Although official numbers are yet to come in, total earnings spanning the first three days are a little below Rs 2 crore, as per industry estimates. 
 
In Koyelaanchal, we again come face to face with all-pervading corruption and criminal use of natural resources. This time, it is the coal <keyword id="2239403" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mafioso-Saryubhan-Singh">Mafioso Saryubhan Singh</keyword> aka Maalik (<keyword id="6430614" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vinod-Khanna">Vinod Khanna</keyword>), who rules the mines of the <keyword id="2239414" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bihar-Jharkhand-belt">Bihar-Jharkhand belt</keyword> and locks horns with <keyword id="6359011" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="District-Collector">district collector</keyword> <keyword id="2239402" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nisheeth-Kumar">Nisheeth Kumar</keyword> (<keyword id="7646" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="suniel-shetty">Suniel Shetty</keyword>) when he raises troublesome questions. <keyword id="819709" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="the-script">The script</keyword> goes haywire at times, but the USP here happen to be the thorough research and the realistic take at a time when a multi-billion-dollar Coalgate scam has deeply shaken the nation. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35077716.cms" /> 
 
Mastram: Morality decoded 
Next comes Mastram, again an offbeat movie that deals with a sexually repressed society and its ingrained hypocrisy. A <keyword id="41623" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Directorial-debut">directorial debut</keyword> by <keyword id="1628796" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Akhilesh-Jaiswal">Akhilesh Jaiswal</keyword>, it is the story of the <keyword id="2239404" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="failed-author">failed author</keyword> <keyword id="201974" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajaram">Rajaram</keyword> (<keyword id="2102195" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Bagga">Rahul Bagga</keyword>) whose work gets rejected because they lack masala. But the man finally excels as he starts writing erotica and along with that, begins a painful <keyword id="6374782" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="journey">journey</keyword> of self-realisation. Made on a budget of around Rs 2 crore, this ‘fictional biography’ had collected around Rs 75 lakh on the opening day at the domestic box office and its earnings stood at a little over Rs 3 crore after the first Monday. 
 
Hawaa Hawaai: Breezy &amp; smooth-flowing 
Back again after <keyword id="63220" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Stanley-Ka-Dabba">Stanley Ka Dabba</keyword> (well, that one grossed a little over Rs 5 crore), director-writer <keyword id="91815" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amol-Gupte">Amol Gupte</keyword>’s <keyword id="2239418" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Commercial-entertainer">commercial entertainer</keyword> Hawaa Hawaai has been produced by <keyword id="106474" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fox-Star-Studios">Fox Star Studios</keyword> and hopes to do better this time. The movie netted around Rs 4.25 crore in the first three days and had an estimated budget of Rs 6 crore. 
 True to his pet genre, Gupte is still catering to the young audience and telling a simple tale with a touching innocence that will win every heart. But the emotional outing and catch-my-dream theme are fraught with grim realities as well. <keyword id="2234714" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arjun-Harishchandra-Waghmare">Arjun Harishchandra Waghmare</keyword> (Amol’s son <keyword id="678010" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Partho-Gupte">Partho Gupte</keyword>) is a migrant <keyword id="6377229" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Child-labour">child labour</keyword> who toils hard at a roadside restaurant in Mumbai but wants to become a <keyword id="2239398" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="champion-roller-skater">champion roller-skater</keyword>. That’s not too difficult when the <keyword id="2239405" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="kind-hearted-coach">kind-hearted coach</keyword> <keyword id="6369280" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lucky">Lucky</keyword> (<keyword id="684700" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saqib-Saleem">Saqib Saleem</keyword>) is willing to help and his poor but large-hearted peers are keen to support him as much as they can. Overall, a thought-provoking movie that flows smoothly without too many hitches. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35077736.cms" /> 
 
Endnote 
The other two releases of the week are Yeh Hai Bakrapur and Khwaabb. The former is a many-layered socio-political satire, starring <keyword id="124285" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anshuman-Jha">Anshuman Jha</keyword> and <keyword id="1810577" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Asif-Basra">Asif Basra</keyword> (plus, <keyword id="2239416" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh-the-goat">Shah Rukh the Goat</keyword>) and directed by <keyword id="468251" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Janaki-Vishwanathan">Janaki Vishwanathan</keyword>. The scathing attack on blind faith, punctuated with sharp wit, makes it an amply watchable movie. Khwaabb (directed by <keyword id="537936" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zaid-Ali-Khan">Zaid Ali Khan</keyword>), on the other hand, is a sports-based romance-drama starring <keyword id="1280175" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navdip-Singh">Navdip Singh</keyword> and <keyword id="708963" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Simer-Motiani">Simer Motiani</keyword>. In spite of some interesting scripts, both movies failed to impact the domestic box office – each collecting a little over Rs 1 crore after the third day. 
 But don’t worry too much even if there has been a box office debacle for some time now. <keyword id="14509" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rajinikanth">Rajinikanth</keyword>’s <keyword id="1849408" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kochadaiiyaan">Kochadaiiyaan</keyword> is due to be released in a couple of weeks and that will surely set the box office ringing while <keyword id="2239419" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mainstream-movie-fans">mainstream movie fans</keyword> go crazy about thalaiva. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office Falters But
Tales Of Corruption, Turbulence Make Their Mark In Bollywood

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/56182320.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 
 Setting the cash counters ringing at the box office, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/3rd-of-its-day-1-box-office-collections-from-bookmyshow/articleshow/56155827.cms">Aamir Khan’s</a> latest wrestling biopic <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/dangal-review-heres-what-bollywoods-celebrities-tweeted-about-aamir-khans-film/articleshow/56138637.cms">Dangal</a> has grossed an impressive Rs 106.95 crore in its first weekend. Trade analyst <keyword id="107593" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Taran-Adarsh">Taran Adarsh</keyword> tweeted the movie’s latest box-office figures, labeling the film’s India business ‘outstanding’. 
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dangal?src=hash">#Dangal</a> Fri 29.78 cr, Sat 34.82 cr, Sun 42.35 cr. Total: ₹ 106.95 cr [incl Tamil and Telugu]. India biz. FANTABULOUS!
	— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/813265874668789760">December 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> While <keyword id="6358210" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dangal">Dangal</keyword> has already become one of the top earning films of 2016, it is <keyword id="6355923" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aamir-Khan">Aamir Khan</keyword>’s fifth entrant to the famed Rs 100 crore club in <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>. His earlier films which earned over Rs 100 crores include <keyword id="17231" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ghajini">Ghajini</keyword>, <keyword id="6373971" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="3-idiots">3 Idiots</keyword>, <keyword id="24705" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dhoom-3">Dhoom 3</keyword> and P.K. Interestingly, Aamir Khan was the one who heralded this coveted Rs 100 crore club with his 2008 hit Ghajini. 
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		Aamir Khan and ₹ 100 cr Club... 
		1. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ghajini?src=hash">#Ghajini</a> - 2008 
		2. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/3Idiots?src=hash">#3Idiots</a> - 2009 
		3. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhoom3?src=hash">#Dhoom3</a> - 2013 
		4. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PK?src=hash">#PK</a> - 2014 
		5. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dangal?src=hash">#Dangal</a> - 2016 
		India biz.
	— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/813266442216869888">December 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> This feat also ensured that Dangal is now second only to <keyword id="1671" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh-Khan">Shah Rukh Khan</keyword>’s 2014 film Happy New Year in a day’s collections. Happy New Year which released on October 24, 2014, raked in Rs 44.97 crore on its opening day. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/aamir-khans-dangal-opens-to-packed-houses-earns-over-rs-30-crores-on-day-1/articleshow/56152363.cms">With a first day collection of Rs 29.78 crore, Dangal </a>also has the second highest opening day collection of this year after Salman Khan's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/bi-year-ender-here-are-2016s-top-grossing-bollywood-movies/articleshow/56116526.cms">Sultan</a>.

Aamir Khan's Dangal wrestles its way to the box office; earns Rs 106.95 crores in three days

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/56155838.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/aamir-khans-dangal-opens-to-packed-houses-earns-over-rs-30-crores-on-day-1/articleshow/56152363.cms">Aamir Khan’s</a> highly anticipated <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/dangal-review-heres-what-bollywoods-celebrities-tweeted-about-aamir-khans-film/articleshow/56138637.cms">Dangal </a>opened to packed houses yesterday, earning rave reviews from critics and moviegoers alike ans going by its stupendous box-office collections, it seems that <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> has managed to keep its best for the last. 
 Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, <keyword id="6358210" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dangal">Dangal</keyword> released in 4,300 screens and reportedly made over Rs 30 crores on Day 1. It’s interesting to note that online ticketing website <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=bookmyshow&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bookmyshow </a>contributed 1/3rd to the film’s total Day 1 India box office collections. 
 At the end of Day 1, <keyword id="600792" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="BookMyShow">BookMyShow</keyword> contributed as high as 33% to the film’s overall India business and expects the movie to continue to do extremely well over the weekend. 
 
Dangal has also received the highest-ever advance opening on BookMyShow. The movie witnessed approximately 40% more advance bookings on the platform for the opening week as compared to other blockbusters that entertained movie buffs in 2016. BookMyShow also hit its fastest 1 million ticket milestone for an individual movie with Dangal.

Aamir Khan's Dangal gets 1/3rd of its Day 1 box office collections from Bookmyshow

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/34077450.cms" /> <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> has finally come up with a fun-filled, breezy rom-com that features the Gen Y with a genuine frankness and without the traditional trappings of a boy-meets-girl story. But this time, the man is from the North, the woman is from the South and the cultural clashes, strongly upheld by the two pairs of in-laws, nearly ruin the relationship. Inspired by <keyword id="6390428" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chetan-Bhagat">Chetan Bhagat</keyword>’s best-selling novel, <keyword id="694041" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="2-States-The-Story-of-My-Marriage">2 States: The Story of My Marriage</keyword>, the Arjun Kapoor-Alia Bhatt-starrer <keyword id="72970" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="2-States">2 States</keyword> sparkles on-screen (at least during the first half) and has made a big bang at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword>, collecting around Rs 38 crore nett over its debut weekend. The first Monday (Day 4, April 21) did not disappoint either and earnings stood at around Rs 6 crore, as per Koimoi. Total <keyword id="1996079" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Overseas-collections">overseas collections</keyword> during the first weekend amounted to an estimated Rs 13.66 crore. 
 
“2 States has a FANTABULOUS weekend. Friday Rs 12.42 crore, Saturday 12.13 crore, Sunday 13.51 crore. Total: Rs 38.06 crore nett. SUPER HIT,” tweeted trade analyst Taran Adarsh. According to <keyword id="255727" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-Office-India">Box Office India</keyword>, the film has emerged as the biggest hit of 2014 and has the potential to be the first Super Hit film of the year, depending on how well it can sustain over the next 10 days or so. 
 
Other two releases of the week include <keyword id="1135108" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dekh-Tamasha-Dekh">Dekh Tamasha Dekh</keyword>, a brutally honest and vitriolic political <keyword id="1462374" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satire">satire</keyword> directed by theatre icon Feroz Abbas Khan (of Tumhari Amrita fame), and <keyword id="1167288" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lucky-Kabootar">Lucky Kabootar</keyword>, a <keyword id="24069" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="romantic-comedy">romantic comedy</keyword> starring <keyword id="1364986" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Eijaaz-Khan">Eijaaz Khan</keyword> and <keyword id="3212" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kulraj-Randhawa">Kulraj Randhawa</keyword>. The latter, directed by <keyword id="1660883" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shammi-Chhabra">Shammi Chhabra</keyword>, has been released after too many delays and depicts how <keyword id="6369280" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lucky">Lucky</keyword> (Eijaaz) ends up marrying the Plain Jane <keyword id="1734" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Laxmi">Laxmi</keyword> (Kulraj), instead of the glam babe <keyword id="190428" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kammo">Kammo</keyword> (<keyword id="33221" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shraddha-Das">Shraddha Das</keyword>). But for both the movies, the collections are hardly notable, thanks to very little promotion and near-zero hype. While Lucky Kabootar collected a little over Rs 1 crore in the first two days (Sunday and Monday numbers are still <keyword id="6357415" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="missing">missing</keyword>), Dekh Tamasha Dekh garnered around Rs 4.7 crore during the same time span. But we will take a closer look at these two after decoding the tremendous <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> success of 2 States. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/34077499.cms" /> 
 With the <keyword id="6364416" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Good-Friday">Good Friday</keyword> fervour adding to its charm, <keyword id="2208706" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Abhishek-Varman-directed">Abhishek Varman-directed</keyword> 2 States saw 50-60% occupancy at multiplexes on the first day and also did well in the mass belt. Till date, the best performers are Mumbai and Mysore, with Mumbai amassing over Rs 13 crore nett and Mysore collecting around Rs 3 crore nett. The movie’s opening is the second biggest ever for a non-star-cast film after <keyword id="6621270" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Grand-Masti">Grand Masti</keyword> (2013). <keyword id="127336" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhaag-Milkha-Bhaag">Bhaag Milkha Bhaag</keyword> (2013), <keyword id="549195" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Student-of-the-Year">Student Of The Year</keyword> (2012) and <keyword id="1710502" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shuddh-Desi-Romance">Shuddh Desi Romance</keyword> (2013) are the next in order after 2 States. 2 States is also one of the highest grossers of 2014 and has already surpassed the lifetime collections of some noted <keyword id="569603" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood-flicks">Bollywood flicks</keyword> including <keyword id="1520199" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hasee-Toh-Phasee">Hasee Toh Phasee</keyword>, <keyword id="853887" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shaadi-Ke-Side-Effects">Shaadi Ke Side Effects</keyword>, <keyword id="6354768" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Highway">Highway</keyword> and <keyword id="1434830" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yaariyan">Yaariyan</keyword>. That is definitely good news for producers <keyword id="27326" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sajid-Nadiadwala">Sajid Nadiadwala</keyword> and <keyword id="3778" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Karan-Johar">Karan Johar</keyword>. 
 Going by its <keyword id="1996031" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-performance">box office performance</keyword>, 2 States seems to have done a commendable job, with <keyword id="6354526" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Alia-Bhatt">Alia Bhatt</keyword> (<keyword id="2204646" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ananya-Swaminathan">Ananya Swaminathan</keyword>) and <keyword id="114453" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arjun-Kapoor">Arjun Kapoor</keyword> (<keyword id="2204645" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Krish-Malhotra">Krish Malhotra</keyword>) showing a rare on-screen chemistry that rocks and sizzles. The young people meet at the <keyword id="6429635" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="IIM-Ahmedabad">IIM-Ahmedabad</keyword> campus and fall in love, but it is, by no means, a campus romance as harsh social realities await them outside. And the movie, too, stumbles at that point as we are led to <keyword id="122267" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="orthodox">orthodox</keyword> households (Krish is a <keyword id="5105" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjabi">Punjabi</keyword> lad and Ananya is a <keyword id="6356629" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="tamil">Tamil</keyword> lass from Chennai as all of you must know by now), instead of modern abodes housing millennial open culture, and two pairs of stereotype Bollywood parents. The rest of the struggles and tribulations faced by the young lovers follow the beaten path until the final-and-inevitable reconciliation that makes everyone happy. 
 
Interestingly, Bhagat’s work has managed to ward off the cliché that lies inherent in cultural clashes and generation gaps. However, the movie has an overdose of everything although it manages to retain some kind of charm that will keep you hooked. As Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV so rightly pointed out, “2 States is a <keyword id="2208734" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cross-culture-love-story">cross-culture love story</keyword> that strives to be sweet, funny and emotionally wrenching all at once. It is occasionally funny and sweet in parts all right, but the <keyword id="1204454" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="family-drama">family drama</keyword> at the film’s core has a severely stultified feel… It sets out to be a slice-of-life drama about a real couple grappling with the politics of <keyword id="2208729" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Inter-community-marriage">inter-community marriage</keyword>, but it fails to generate enough energy and warmth to draw the audience into a tight clinch.” 
 
In stark contrast to 2 States, Dekh Tamasha Dekh (starring <keyword id="317266" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vinay-Jain">Vinay Jain</keyword>, <keyword id="2218" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satish-Kaushik">Satish Kaushik</keyword> and <keyword id="1559" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="tanvi-azmi">Tanvi Azmi</keyword>) is based on a true story and ruthlessly reveals a nation’s <keyword id="2208740" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Political-hypocrisy">political hypocrisy</keyword> and <keyword id="877158" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Communal-Disharmony">communal disharmony</keyword> with the help of its twin tools – satire and <keyword id="424300" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Irony">irony</keyword>. Too many human elements are woven here in a complex tapestry, but the very core of <keyword id="6355987" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="violence">violence</keyword>, <keyword id="6388475" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="tragedy">tragedy</keyword> and hopelessness would hit us hard and keep us wondering about the multi-layered reality we are compelled to confront every day. Although not a typical art house film, this movie is meant for a niche audience and offers a <keyword id="2208742" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gripping-tale">gripping tale</keyword> of the <keyword id="911828" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="dark-forces">dark forces</keyword> that we are not likely to forget in a hurry. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office: 2 States Raking
In Big Bucks; Dekh Tamasha Dekh Offers A Gripping Tale

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/37631979.cms" /> 
After the blockbuster beginning of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Humshakals-Strikes-Gold-But-Theres-No-Method-In-ThisMadness/articleshow/37123366.cms">Humshakals</a>, <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> has witnessed yet another runaway success in the <keyword id="1250908" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="romantic-thriller">romantic thriller</keyword> <keyword id="2177024" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ek-Villain">Ek Villain</keyword>, directed by <keyword id="23758" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="mohit-suri">Mohit Suri</keyword> (of Murder 2 and Aashiqui 2 fame) and starring <keyword id="1420" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Riteish-Deshmukh">Riteish Deshmukh</keyword>, <keyword id="1320874" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sidharth-Malhotra">Sidharth Malhotra</keyword> and <keyword id="89958" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shraddha-Kapoor">Shraddha Kapoor</keyword>. And this time, we have an interesting plot, some brilliant acting and an overflowing <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> – all in perfect sync. Released on June 27 in more than 2,500 screens in India, the flick has netted Rs 50.70 crore at home in the first three days (Friday Rs 16.72 crore, Saturday Rs 16.54 crore and Sunday Rs 17.44 crore; however, trade figure stood at Rs 49.28 crore) – the second highest weekend collection in 2014, behind Salman Khan-starrer <keyword id="6593120" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Jai-Ho">Jai Ho</keyword>. 
 Compared to debut day, earnings dropped 55% on the first Monday but the medium-budget (it cost around Rs 40 crore) movie managed to nett Rs 8.10 crore at home. Tuesday collections also dipped (Rs 6.80 crore) but the movie amassed a total of Rs 65.60 crore from <keyword id="54324" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="india-business">India business</keyword> after Day 5, crossing <keyword id="1718975" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Humshakals">Humshakals</keyword>’ earnings (Rs 61.05 crore). Ek Villain has now become the fifth <keyword id="2385280" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="highest-grosser">highest grosser</keyword> of 2014, surpassing the lifetime collections of <keyword id="6377522" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="queen">Queen</keyword> (Rs 61 crore), Main Tera Hero (Rs 55 crore), Heropanti (Rs 53.40 crore) and Ragini MMS 2 (Rs 47 crore). Going by the trend, it may soon enter Rs <keyword id="6567206" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="100-crore-club">100 crore club</keyword>. The movie was produced by <keyword id="6354597" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ekta-Kapoor">Ekta Kapoor</keyword> and <keyword id="154993" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Shobha-Kapoor">Shobha Kapoor</keyword> under Balaji Motion Pictures and ALT Entertainment. 
 
“Ek Villain passes ‘Monday test’ with flying colours. Weekend 50.70 cr, Mon 8.10 cr. Total: Rs 58.8 cr nett. India biz. MONSTROUS HIT,” tweeted trade analyst and film critic Taran Adarsh. “Overseas weekend total is approx $2.2 million [Rs 13.24 crore]. EXCELLENT,” he added. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/37632061.cms" /> 
 
Although some movie buffs may notice a marked resemblance between Ek Villain and the Korean movie <keyword id="2258746" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="I-Saw-The-Devil">I Saw the Devil</keyword>, director Suri had earlier told the media that it was not so. “That’s just one dialogue that I have taken from the <keyword id="700143" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Korean-film">Korean film</keyword>’s promo, just like I have taken another dialogue from the film <keyword id="796794" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Jack-Reacher">Jack Reacher</keyword>,” Suri had told a daily. 
 Coming back to the movie itself, we must say that the ‘chill and thrill’ factor could have been more intense, especially when you have a <keyword id="1261139" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="psychopathic-killer">psychopathic killer</keyword> running loose, while the romantic part of the plot (gangster falling for the good girl) has been done to death by now and meanders a lot. In Ek Villain, all the key characters seem helplessly trapped in their own prisons and cannot get away. <keyword id="6410325" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="guru">Guru</keyword> (Sidharth Malhotra), a former hitman, only undergoes a temporary change when <keyword id="2396273" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aisha-Verma">Aisha Verma</keyword> (Shraddha Kapoor) walks into his life. But he goes back to his original vengeful self when Aisha dies, not of terminal illness but murdered by a serial killer. However, it is Riteish Deshmukh (<keyword id="2396274" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rakesh-Mahadkar">Rakesh Mahadkar</keyword>) who walks away with the honours. He is the perfect psychopath – an oppressed individual, a henpecked husband, a desperate lover and a ruthless killer all rolled in one. 
 Overall, the concoction of drama and <keyword id="1278055" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="melodrama">melodrama</keyword>, romance and terror has diluted the plot. But one still gets to see some fine performance and the flick is certainly a lot different from the routine Bollywood themes. And the best part of it all? Ek Villain has won hearts and set the cash register ringing. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box
Office: Ek Villain A Runaway Success, May Soon Enter Rs 100 Crore Club

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/45954871.cms" /> <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> is known for sticking to and banking on reliable formulas. One such formula that has been working well for the past few years is that of Horrex movies—offering Horror and Sex (much like the term Rom-Com). 
 
Last Friday’s release <keyword id="6613249" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="alone">Alone</keyword> falls in the Horrex category. With the movie Alone, television heartthrob Karan Singh Grover made his debut in Bollywood. He is paired opposite Bengali bombshell <keyword id="8112" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bipasha-Basu">Bipasha Basu</keyword>. 
 
Directed by Bhushan Patel, who has given supernatural hits like 1920: Evil Returns and Ragini MMS 2, Alone was an ambitious project. 
The movie has been much talked about off-screen intimacy between the leading pair, which is also touted to be the reason of Karan Singh Grover’s split with wife Jennifer Winget, whom he had married after his first marriage with actress Shraddha Nigam ended. 
 
Made on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alone_%282015_film%29">budget of Rs 18 crores</a>, Alone has managed to have an average opening at the Indian <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> and <a href="http://www.koimoi.com/box-office/alone-does-decent-business-in-the-opening-weekend-at-the-box-office/">as per Koimoi.com</a> it managed to collect Rs 14 crore in its first weekend. On Monday, the movie managed to <a href="http://www.koimoi.com/box-office/alone-1st-monday-box-office-collections/">pocket another</a> Rs 2.1 crore taking its total collections to Rs 16.1 crore. 
 
While Alone’s business had been better than the other recent Horrex movies starring Bipasha Basu, it still has a long way to go to reach the break even mark. What makes the matters worse is that next week Akshay Kumar starrer Baby and Sonam Kapoor’s Dolly Ki Doli will hit the cinema screens. 
 
Last week, also saw the release of the movie, MSG: Messenger of God. After all the controversy regarding clearing of the movie by the censor board, there are no reports suggesting the collections of this movie. 
 
The other two movies released last week, Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene as well as Crazy Cukkad Family did not manage to draw viewer, hence were a compete washout at the Box Office.

Box Office Collections Of Alone And Party

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/33454039.cms" /> <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> produced a mixed bag on April 4, including <keyword id="28781" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="jal">Jal</keyword>, a quasi-art house movie directed by debutant <keyword id="1019055" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Girish-Malik">Girish Malik</keyword>, <keyword id="2188072" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="David-Dhawan-directed">David Dhawan-directed</keyword> <keyword id="2188086" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rom-com-action-flick">rom-com-action flick</keyword> <keyword id="1622982" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Main-Tera-Hero">Main Tera Hero</keyword> and <keyword id="2179609" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ebn-E-Batuta">Ebn-E-Batuta</keyword>, a sci-fi overloaded with various issues and laced with humour. But true to the <keyword id="1282628" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood-tradition">Bollywood tradition</keyword>, the madcap entertainer <keyword id="57035" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="MTH">MTH</keyword>, starring David’s son <keyword id="4928" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Varun">Varun</keyword> and the sizzling female leads <keyword id="88540" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ileana-DCruz">Ileana D’Cruz</keyword> and <keyword id="611054" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nargis-Fakri">Nargis Fakri</keyword>, has topped the <keyword id="1812427" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office-chart">box office chart</keyword> this time. 
 
Main Tera Hero had an average start though, netting just Rs 6.6 crore at home on the opening Friday and recording 35-40% occupancy rate. But in spite of the cricket fever built around the India-Sri Lanka T20 World Cup final on Sunday, business picked up exceedingly well for the wild and whacky comedy flick and it netted a little over Rs 22 crore during the first weekend, as per industry estimates. It did moderately well on the crucial Day 4 (Monday, April 7) and collections at <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword> amounted to nearly Rs 4 crore, as per industry estimates. Although MTH is a <keyword id="87291" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="big-budget-movie">big budget movie</keyword> and cost around Rs 40 crore, the money would be recovered soon, going by <keyword id="112481" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="ticket-sales">ticket sales</keyword>. The movie is produced by Shobha Kapoor and <keyword id="6354597" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ekta-Kapoor">Ekta Kapoor</keyword> for Balaji Motion Pictures. 
 
MTH is <keyword id="383666" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Varun-Dhawan">Varun Dhawan</keyword>’s second appearance in Bollywood – after <keyword id="2188068" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Karan-Johar-directed">Karan Johar-directed</keyword> commercial success <keyword id="549195" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Student-of-the-Year">Student of the Year</keyword>, which also starred <keyword id="1320874" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sidharth-Malhotra">Sidharth Malhotra</keyword> and <keyword id="6354526" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Alia-Bhatt">Alia Bhatt</keyword>. The movie raked in Rs 28-29 crore nett in the first weekend, considerably higher than what Main Tera Hero did in spite of some extensive <keyword id="2188097" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pre-release-hype">pre-release hype</keyword>. 
 Before we tell you what worked and didn’t work for this <keyword id="2188113" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="David-Dhawan-comedy">David Dhawan comedy</keyword>, let’s take a look at the <keyword id="2188098" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-performances">box office performances</keyword> of the other two releases. Purab Kohli-Tannishtha Chatterjee-Kirti Kulhari starrer Jal has a pertinent theme – it portrays the wild and water-starved <keyword id="80682" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rann-of-Kutch">Rann of Kutch</keyword> and its people locked in an eternal battle with their hostile surroundings. The movie has been criticised by many as a ‘festival’ flick while others vouch it is as commercial as can be. But either way, it has cut no ice with the domestic audience and reportedly grossed less than Rs 3 crore at home after the first weekend while fourth day collections stood at Rs 40-50 lakh. <keyword id="357845" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dar-Motion-Pictures">DAR Motion Pictures</keyword>, in collaboration with <keyword id="2188071" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="One-World-Films">One World Films</keyword>, released the movie across 385 screens, which means it is targeting a <keyword id="2188107" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Niche-audience">niche audience</keyword>. 
 
Ebn-E-Batuta, the third release of the week, also bombed the <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword>. The movie grossed some Rs 40-50 lakh on the first day, but the opening weekend numbers are yet to come in. Directed by <keyword id="2188109" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Varun-Middha">Varun Middha</keyword>, this one had an estimated budget of Rs 5 crore, but may follow the same fate as Jal. 
 
Coming back to Main Tera Hero, it is not difficult to understand what makes this movie so popular. This one provides a laughter riot – a mad concoction of romance, action and <keyword id="3769" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="David-Dhawan">David Dhawan</keyword>’s brand of none-too-subtle comedy. But the best thing to happen to us is the star son Varun Dhawan, lauded by most critics as the <keyword id="2188114" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Young-Govinda">Young Govinda</keyword>. It is a remake of the Telugu blockbuster <keyword id="471189" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kandireega">Kandireega</keyword> – telling the story of <keyword id="2180043" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sreenath-Prasad">Sreenath Prasad</keyword> or <keyword id="761791" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Seenu">Seenu</keyword> (Varun Dhawan). The problem kid comes to the big city to put his life in order, carries out his romantic escapades with two babes, <keyword id="2647" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sunaina">Sunaina</keyword> (Ileana D’Cruz) and <keyword id="173" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ayesha">Ayesha</keyword> (<keyword id="37518" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nargis-Fakhri">Nargis Fakhri</keyword>), gets into fisticuffs with Sunaina’s cop beau <keyword id="11572" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Angad">Angad</keyword> (<keyword id="34751" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arunoday-Singh">Arunoday Singh</keyword>) and gets entangled with Ayesha’s mafia dad <keyword id="19147" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="vikrant">Vikrant</keyword> (<keyword id="6533" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anupam-Kher">Anupam Kher</keyword>) and his gang. What follows is pure mayhem, but all things are sorted out well in the traditional Bollywood style and true lovers unite at the journey’s end. Quite a hilarious flick if you are ready to put logic away for some time and go with the Bollywood flow. 
 
 <img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/33454223.cms" /> 
 
In stark contrast, Jal portrays a reality as harsh as the arid land of Kutch. Here we have <keyword id="2188122" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bakka">Bakka</keyword> (<keyword id="26929" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="purab-kohli">Purab Kohli</keyword>), who has the power of divining water spots (does it remind you of <keyword id="6361516" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Nana-Patekar">Nana Patekar</keyword> in Thodasa Roomani Ho Jaayen?), his sweetheart <keyword id="32289" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="kesar">Kesar</keyword> (<keyword id="2349" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="kirti">Kirti</keyword>) hailing from a rival village and <keyword id="719919" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="animal-activist">animal activist</keyword> <keyword id="1158" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kim">Kim</keyword> (Saidah Jules). Kim is out to save the <keyword id="2188125" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Water-starved-flamingos">water-starved flamingos</keyword>, but not too interested to help the clan living there. Set against a stark yet magnificent backdrop, Jal had all the elements to become an epic tale of love and treachery, hope and hopelessness, apathy and ardour. Instead, viewers are handed out a simplistic story that fails to follow the stream of life (in other words, water) from the past into the future, the way it goes with human history. But the movie is worth the watch because of its <keyword id="2188126" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Offbeat-theme">offbeat theme</keyword> while Purab Kohli literally sets the screen on fire. 
 
Ebn-E-Batuta may remind you of <keyword id="47027" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="James-Cameron">James Cameron</keyword>’s <keyword id="44111" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Avatar">Avatar</keyword>, but there the similarities end. In this <keyword id="2188127" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="India-made-sci-fi-flick">India-made sci-fi flick</keyword>, the <keyword id="77929" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="aliens">aliens</keyword> have invaded <keyword id="976816" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Planet-Earth">Planet Earth</keyword> to conquer it, but three <keyword id="343" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Friends">friends</keyword> (<keyword id="389953" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Omkar-Das-Manikpuri">Omkar Das Manikpuri</keyword>, <keyword id="2188128" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dev-Gohar">Dev Gohar</keyword> and <keyword id="2188131" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satyendra-Khare">Satyendra Khare</keyword>) try and <keyword id="382268" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="leverage">leverage</keyword> the power of the <keyword id="2151868" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="extra-terrestrials">extra-terrestrials</keyword> for their own advancement. Some social issues and fun moments are also there, but this one hardly matches the Hollywood flicks in terms of special effects. Kids may still enjoy the movie but with <keyword id="1906261" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhoothnath-Returns">Bhoothnath Returns</keyword> (starring <keyword id="6357912" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="amitabh-bachchan">Amitabh Bachchan</keyword>) hitting the theatres on April 11, Ebn-E-Batuta is not likely to enjoy much exposure at the box office during the second weekend. 
 
Images: Wikipedia

Box Office: Main Tera
Hero Tops The Chart But Jal Is Worth The Watch

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/33127696.cms" /> When election fever hits India, <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>, too, must have its say. Even before the horrex thrill of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/movies/Box-Office-RaginiMMS-2-Thrills-All-Gang-Of-Ghosts-Lacks-Finesse/articleshow/32673836.cms">Ragini MMS 2</a> could be well purged out of our system, cine-goers had to face a ‘thoughtful’ <keyword id="2179860" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Political-movie">political movie</keyword> in the form of <keyword id="499327" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="youngistaan">Youngistaan</keyword>, starring <keyword id="37379" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jackky-Bhagnani">Jackky Bhagnani</keyword>, <keyword id="21114" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neha-Sharma">Neha Sharma</keyword> and the late <keyword id="27989" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Farooque-Sheikh">Farooque Sheikh</keyword>. The other two releases on Friday the 28th included <keyword id="2179863" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Underworld-action-flick">underworld action flick</keyword> <keyword id="2025912" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dishkiyaoon">Dishkiyaoon</keyword> and the comedy movie <keyword id="1669247" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="O-Teri">O Teri</keyword>. Although the themes and the genres vary widely, there’s one thing in common about these Bollywood flicks – all three had a <keyword id="2179866" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Poor-opening-day">poor opening day</keyword> at home, with low occupancies ranging from 5-10%. And the <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> numbers did not look up even after Day 5. 
 Directed by debutant <keyword id="2071198" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Syed-Ahmad-Afzal">Syed Ahmad Afzal</keyword>, Youngistaan is still the best as far as content and <keyword id="1996031" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-performance">box office performance</keyword> go. The movie netted Rs 3.79 crore at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword> during the opening weekend while Dishkiyaoon netted Rs 3.45 crore in the first three days and O Teri just managed to nett Rs 2.45 crore, according to trade figures. 
 
Youngistaan, however, saw a sharp fall in revenues on the crucial Day 4 (Monday, March 31), netting around Rs 75 lakh, while Day 5 (April 1) collections were estimated to be a little over Rs 50 lakh, according to some industry sources. Going by the current trend, the movie may turn out to be a huge flop as it has been made on a budget of Rs 22-23 crore and opened across 1,000 theatres in India. 
 
The storyline of Youngistaan is intriguing enough, though. Here, you have a young <keyword id="1043723" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Game-developer">game developer</keyword> <keyword id="2179870" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Abhimanyu-Kaul">Abhimanyu Kaul</keyword> (Jackky Bhagnani) living in <keyword id="6355311" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Japan">Japan</keyword> with his girlfriend <keyword id="2179850" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anwita-Chauhan">Anwita Chauhan</keyword> (Neha Sharma). But things turn topsy-turvy when Dad <keyword id="2179873" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dashrath-Kaul">Dashrath Kaul</keyword> (he is also the <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">prime minister</keyword> of India) suddenly dies and Abhimanyu is forced to step into his shoes. The rest could have been mayhem, but the <keyword id="2179851" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="young-PM">young PM</keyword> seems to be handling it all (except his love life) with incredible efficiency. We do believe that is the weakest part of the movie – the incredible ease of things. However, one can’t help admiring Farooque Sheikh who handholds the <keyword id="2179854" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="novice-politician">novice politician</keyword> throughout the twists and turns. It is definitely worth a watch but tends to get too predictable at the end. As Shubha Shetty-Saha of Mid-Day says, “While the film has a very interesting premise, it is totally diluted by lazy scriptwriting and sketchy direction.” 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/33127734.cms" /> 
 
As for Dishkiyaoon, starring the likes of <keyword id="9271" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sunny-Deol">Sunny Deol</keyword>, <keyword id="13128" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Harman-Baweja">Harman Baweja</keyword> and newcomer <keyword id="322563" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ayesha-Khanna">Ayesha Khanna</keyword>, the first Monday collections were equally dismal and stood in the range of Rs 70 lakh, according to Koimoi (Day 5 collections are not available yet). Directed by Sanamjit Singh Talwar, this one was made on an all-inclusive budget of Rs 35 crore and released across 1,500 screens all over India. Interestingly, <keyword id="6358615" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shilpa-Shetty">Shilpa Shetty</keyword> Kundra and <keyword id="217320" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sunil-Lulla">Sunil Lulla</keyword> are the producers here but in spite of the big names all around, the action flick has failed to gain much traction. And not without reasons. The movie could have portrayed the rise of the young aspirant, <keyword id="2179853" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Viki-Kartoos">Viki Kartoos</keyword> (Harman Baweja), to ‘gangsterhood’ with a lot more depth and understanding. Instead, we simply get some stereotype script, some superb action scenes and nothing more. 
 
Finally, there is the Umesh ​B​isht-directed comedy flick O Teri, narrated by <keyword id="6354583" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Salman-Khan">Salman Khan</keyword>. This one, too, has opened across 1,000 screens, but totally fails to impress (weekday numbers are yet to come in). Here are two <keyword id="69943" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="TV-journalists">TV journalists</keyword> – <keyword id="2179878" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Prantabh-Pratab">Prantabh Pratab</keyword> or <keyword id="2179879" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="P-P-">P.P.</keyword> (<keyword id="76825" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pulkit-Samrat">Pulkit Samrat</keyword>) and <keyword id="2179849" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anand-Ishwaram-Devdutt-Subramanium">Anand Ishwaram Devdutt Subramanium</keyword> or <keyword id="19472" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="aids">AIDS</keyword> (<keyword id="946726" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bilal-Amrohi">Bilal Amrohi</keyword>) – trying to unravel a <keyword id="41357" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Scam">scam</keyword> and going through many improbable adventures in the process. In a way, it would remind you of the dark, corrupt world of Youngistaan and Dishkiyaoon, but all three flicks fail to deliver the ruthless reality on paper. And consequently, they fail miserable at the box office. 
 
Image: Indiatimes, Wikipedia

Box Office: Youngistaan Falls Flat;
Dishkiyaoon, O Teri Are Clear Flops

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38475880.cms" /> After a dull week and indifferent performances, <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> is rocking once again as <keyword id="193380" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Debutant-director">debutant director</keyword> <keyword id="1801086" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shashank-Khaitan">Shashank Khaitan</keyword>’s <keyword id="1800884" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Humpty-Sharma-Ki-Dulhania">Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania</keyword> (<keyword id="2253052" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="HSKD">HSKD</keyword>) is grossing big moolah at home and abroad. But that’s not really surprising as the <keyword id="1636016" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="rom-com">rom-com</keyword> released on July 11 has all the right masala punched in, including the star cast. Yes, you have <keyword id="6354526" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Alia-Bhatt">Alia Bhatt</keyword> and <keyword id="383666" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Varun-Dhawan">Varun Dhawan</keyword> back here and the chemistry you saw in <keyword id="549195" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Student-of-the-Year">Student of the Year</keyword> is still sizzling. Riding on hits like 2 States, Highway and Student of the Year, Alia’s Midas touch makes this feisty flick quite adorable while the storyline, a new millennium version of <keyword id="88064" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dilwale-Dulhania-Le-Jayenge">Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge</keyword>, is another sure shot way to win hearts. So here’s another hit as HSKD, produced by <keyword id="3778" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Karan-Johar">Karan Johar</keyword>, netted Rs 33.74 crore at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword> in the first three days (trade figure stands at Rs 33.41 crore) and grossed around Rs 5.55 crore overseas in the first weekend. 
 
“HSKD surpasses ALL expectations and has a FANTABULOUS Sunday: Fri 9.02 cr, Sat 11.25 cr, Sun 13.46 cr. Total: Rs 33.74 cr nett. India biz,” tweeted film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh. 
 Monday and Tuesday collections were pegged at Rs 5.60 crore and Rs 5 crore, respectively, as per industry estimates, taking the five-day total at home to around Rs 44 crore. Released in about 2,200 screens, the movie had a comparatively low budget of Rs 29 crore (including cost of production and P&amp;A) and collections at the domestic <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> are way ahead of the amount. Going by the current trend, HSKD is bound to hit the <keyword id="2368887" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rs-50-crore-mark">Rs 50 crore mark</keyword> in this week, but whether it can enter the coveted Rs <keyword id="6567206" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="100-crore-club">100 crore club</keyword> is yet to be seen. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38475971.cms" /> 
 
But ask us the secret behind Humpty Sharma’s resounding success and we will falter after a couple of points. Yes, there is Alia Bhatt, aka <keyword id="2256596" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kavya-Pratap-Singh">Kavya Pratap Singh</keyword>, playing the spirited Ambala lass and getting her way in everything – be it buying an exuberantly priced <keyword id="170" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Designer">designer</keyword> lehenga for her upcoming shaadi with too-good-to-be-true NRI bridegroom <keyword id="26339" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Angad-Bedi">Angad Bedi</keyword> (<keyword id="31020" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Siddharth-Shukla">Siddharth Shukla</keyword>) or falling in love with the chance acquaintance Rakesh or Humpty (Varun Dhawan), a Delhi lad ready to go all out to claim his sweet<keyword id="24479" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="heart">heart</keyword>. While Alia charms all and looks like a modern-day Simran, Varun seems to be lacking Raj’s confidence and charisma. Still, pitted against the picture perfect Angad, Humpty’s vulnerability easily touches our heart. 
 However, there the pluses end. Rehashing an insanely popular <keyword id="2148473" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood-classic">Bollywood classic</keyword> is no easy task but a total lack of logic, shallow emotions, a ‘sudden’ change of heart and a make-believe climax can hardly support a great love story, even if it’s a millennial love story. It has its moments of warmth and sweetness, but the freshness wanes too soon and <keyword id="303" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Director">director</keyword> Shashank Khaitan leaves the story to meander through painful predictabilities. However, Bollywood buffs are still big-hearted enough to love a love story and that is one of the key reasons why Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania is rocking the box office. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office: Alia-Varun’s Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Nears Rs 50 Crore
Mark; Will It Be A Superhit?

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/39227456.cms" /> 
Get Your <keyword id="6362088" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="kick">Kick</keyword> This Eid, yells the movie poster and sure enough, it has never been this good for a <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> release in 2014. <keyword id="1470620" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="superstar-Salman-Khan">Superstar Salman Khan</keyword> is back with Kick, his second venture of the current year, and the action-drama raced past his earlier outing <keyword id="6593120" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Jai-Ho">Jai Ho</keyword> (opening weekend collection Rs 58.50 crore at home). Released on July 25, the Salman Khan-Jacqueline Fernandez-starrer netted a mammoth Rs 83.83 crore at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword> in the first three days (trade figure stood at Rs 82.01 crore) and is expected to hit the Rs 100 crore mark on Day 5 (July 29) at home. 
 
“Kick has a SPECTACULAR weekend. Fri 26.50 cr, Sat 27.15 cr, Sun 30.18 cr. Total: Rs 83.83 cr nett. India biz. REMARKABLE,” tweeted film critic and analyst Taran Adarsh. This is the highest opening day collection in 2014, but Kick failed to beat the debut day records of <keyword id="6355923" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Aamir-Khan">Aamir Khan</keyword>’s <keyword id="24705" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Dhoom-3">Dhoom 3</keyword> (Rs 36 crore), <keyword id="4546" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh">Shah Rukh</keyword>’s Chennai Express (Rs 33.10 crore) and Salman’s own <keyword id="638019" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ek-Tha-Tiger">Ek Tha Tiger</keyword> (Rs 32.92 crore). Neither could it beat Dhoom 3’s record of entering the Rs 100 crore club in just three days. Interestingly, Salman’s Ek Tha Tiger entered the 100 crore club in the first weekend. 
 Although first Monday collections saw a huge 50% drop in earnings (compared to Sunday) at the domestic <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword>, the movie collected around Rs 13.5 crore as per industry estimates, taking Kick’s four-day total to Rs 97.3 crore (approx.). The flick has also done some good business overseas and grossed around Rs 22 crore at the end of Day 4. “Kick is excellent in USA-Canada and has performed well elsewhere. The business will get a further boost once the Eid festivities begin,” said Adarsh in another tweet. 
 
With Kick hitting the 100 crore mark globally, Salman now has seven <keyword id="2448807" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="100-crore-grossers">100 crore grossers</keyword> to his credit. The earlier six include Ek Tha Tiger, <keyword id="35445" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="bodyguard">Bodyguard</keyword>, <keyword id="94964" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Dabangg">Dabangg</keyword> and Dabangg2, <keyword id="18142" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ready">Ready</keyword> and Jai Ho. As for the opening weekend, Kick is the fourth highest grosser of all time – after Dhoom 3 (Rs 107 crore), Chennai Express (100.35 crore) and Ek Tha Tiger (Rs 116.05 crore). Although <keyword id="95158" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="RA-One">Ra.One</keyword> (Rs 91.10 crore) and Bodyguard (Rs 86.10 crore) had earned more than Kick, both movies had a 5-day weekend. 
 
 <img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/39227597.cms" /> 
 
Kick is the <keyword id="41623" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Directorial-debut">directorial debut</keyword> of <keyword id="27326" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sajid-Nadiadwala">Sajid Nadiadwala</keyword>, known for producing big hits like Housefull, Heropanti, 2 States and Highway. This movie, too, has been produced by Nadiadwala and is marketed and distributed by <keyword id="61407" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="UTV-motion-pictures">UTV Motion Pictures</keyword>, a part of the <keyword id="473638" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Disney-Company">Disney Company</keyword> in India. Kick hit more than 5,000 screens in India and 42 other countries, and had a whopping budget of Rs 125 crore. For the uninitiated, this one is a remake of the 2009 Telugu action comedy Kick, directed by <keyword id="163370" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Surender-Reddy">Surender Reddy</keyword>. <keyword id="6390428" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chetan-Bhagat">Chetan Bhagat</keyword> has co-written <keyword id="819709" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="the-script">the script</keyword> for the Hindi version. 
 
Coming back to the movie itself, it is a typical masala entertainer where everything else departs and ‘<keyword id="2448805" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Salmania">Salmania</keyword>’ takes over. Here’s a <keyword id="18564" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="blockbuster">blockbuster</keyword> screening the superb exploits and high voltage action of a Robin Hood-like <keyword id="7436" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="superhero">superhero</keyword> who is forever seeking adrenaline rush. Devil, aka Devil Lal Singh (<keyword id="6354583" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Salman-Khan">Salman Khan</keyword>), is initially drawn to Shaina (<keyword id="6354417" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jacqueline-Fernandez">Jacqueline Fernandez</keyword>), a <keyword id="33876" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="psychiatrist">psychiatrist</keyword> living in <keyword id="47414" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Poland">Poland</keyword>, as she manages to give him enough kick on the love front. The chemistry between the two is quite enjoyable while you have a <keyword id="1476042" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="super-cop">super cop</keyword> in <keyword id="45913" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Himanshu">Himanshu</keyword> (<keyword id="16675" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Randeep-Hooda">Randeep Hooda</keyword>), trying to decode some challenging robberies masterminded by Devil (reminds you of Dhoom 3?), and a creepy villain in <keyword id="2448803" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shiv-Gazra">Shiv Gazra</keyword> (<keyword id="6359106" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nawazuddin-Siddiqui">Nawazuddin Siddiqui</keyword>). The rest is usual Bollywood histrionics – right from accident to memory loss to melodrama and finally, a predictable climax without an ounce of surprise. But you would better forget the logic and the coherence part. The best thing that happened to this movie is Salman Khan (and the supporting cast) who sizzled all the way with devilish humour, sleek action and smooth romance. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office: Salman’s Kick A Gold-spinner, Delivers Thrills Galore

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38018693.cms" /> After some great business for a couple of weeks, <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> is back to the ‘slump’ mode even as <keyword id="2409418" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vidya-Balan-Ali-Fazal-starrer">Vidya Balan-Ali Fazal-starrer</keyword> <keyword id="1876316" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bobby-Jasoos">Bobby Jasoos</keyword> hit the screen on July 4. The other release of the week was <keyword id="2409416" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arif-Ali-directed">Arif Ali-directed</keyword> <keyword id="2409419" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Romantic-drama">romantic drama</keyword> <keyword id="2232911" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lekar-Hum-Deewana-Dil">Lekar Hum Deewana Dil</keyword>, which could have gone deep into millennial psyche and become a successful coming-of-age movie with a strong romantic undertone. Instead, it turned out to be a not-so-original concoction of previous hits like <keyword id="14521" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Jab-We-Met">Jab We Met</keyword> and <keyword id="6354768" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Highway">Highway</keyword> (both directed by Arif’s brother <keyword id="14373" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Imtiaz">Imtiaz</keyword>) or the age-old youth-centric flicks of Bollywood. The outcome is quite predictable – a complete washout at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword>. 
 But first things first – let us come back to <keyword id="1997475" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Samar-Shaikh">Samar Shaikh</keyword>’s <keyword id="41623" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Directorial-debut">directorial debut</keyword> Bobby Jasoos, which was produced by <keyword id="981" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dia-Mirza">Dia Mirza</keyword> and <keyword id="440307" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sahil-Sangha">Sahil Sangha</keyword>. <keyword id="3844" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vidya-Balan">Vidya Balan</keyword> in a key role (remember <keyword id="6405846" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Dirty-Picture">Dirty Picture</keyword> or <keyword id="6358300" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Kahaani">Kahaani</keyword>?) has always been a treat to watch but this time, the clumsy sleuth <keyword id="2409413" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bilkis-Ahmed">Bilkis Ahmed</keyword> aka Bobby didn’t get the cash register ringing. Even after the resounding success of the <keyword id="1250908" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="romantic-thriller">romantic thriller</keyword> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/BoxOffice-Ek-Villain-A-Runaway-Success-May-Soon-Enter-Rs-100-Crore-Club/articleshow/37631847.cms">Ek Villain</a>, Vidya’s kind of seriocomic suspense went largely unappreciated. Although the movie hit nearly 1,350 screens across 39 countries including India and enjoyed considerable hype, occupancy was dismal on the debut day itself – just around 30%. The movie netted around Rs 7.5 crore at the domestic <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> in the first three days and business slumped further on the crucial first Monday as the flick netted around Rs 1.25 crore, according to industry estimates. Keeping in mind its whopping budget of Rs 28 crore (cost and P&amp;A), Bobby Jasoos could be in the red if business does not pick up quickly during the first week. 
 
Interestingly, Mohit Suri-directed <keyword id="2177024" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ek-Villain">Ek Villain</keyword> is going great guns in spite of two new releases and already amassed Rs 92.90 crore at the domestic box office after the second Sunday. Thanks to 1,700 screens and 5,400 shows per day, the flick may enter the <keyword id="925977" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rs-100-crore-club">Rs 100 crore club</keyword> within the second week. 
 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38018760.cms" /> 
 
Lekar Hum Deewana Dil had a <keyword id="2277648" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="disastrous-start">disastrous start</keyword> at the domestic box office, collecting a little over Rs 40 lakh on the opening day and just about Rs 1.41 crore after the first three days. The Monday earnings are not confirmed yet, but are estimated to be Rs 50 lakh, according to industry insiders. Starring newcomers <keyword id="433654" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Armaan-Jain">Armaan Jain</keyword> (well, he is <keyword id="2409428" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Raj-Kapoors-grandson">Raj Kapoor’s grandson</keyword>) and <keyword id="97760" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Deeksha-Seth">Deeksha Seth</keyword>, Lekar Hum has turned out to be one of the lowest grossers with a fresh cast. The movie’s budget was Rs 16 crore (cost and P&amp;A) – a clear indication that it will have to struggle hard to break even. 
 
Critically speaking, Bobby Jasoos showcases quite a few novel features. Vidya in her multiple disguises is fun to watch; the cases she solves are from everyday life and hardly require Sherlock-like qualities, and throughout the story, we get to see a vulnerable middle-class girl from an <keyword id="122267" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="orthodox">orthodox</keyword> society and an old city, trying to establish a brand new identity. The theme is a laudable one and Vidya carries it out with great vigour, breathing life into this spicy mix of fun and mystery. But the plot tumbles towards the melodramatic all too soon, making things painfully predictable in spite of the great chemistry between Vidya and <keyword id="486750" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ali-Fazal">Ali Fazal</keyword> (<keyword id="2409430" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tassavur">Tassavur</keyword>). 
 
Armaan-Deeksha-starrer Lekar Hum Deewana Dil also had the potential to be different, but the <keyword id="1636016" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="rom-com">rom-com</keyword> fails to lift interpersonal relationship to a different level of conflict, confrontation and comprehension. So you get another mundane love story at the end. Maybe <keyword id="303" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Director">director</keyword> <keyword id="314242" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arif-Ali">Arif Ali</keyword> was trying to churn out a perfect Bollywood hit (no wonder there was a great combo of all the great rom-coms we can possibly remember). But the next time he does it, he must remember that famous quote by Anna Quindlen – The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is... beginning the work of becoming yourself. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office:
Bobby Jasoos No Match For Ek Villain, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil A Total Disaster

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/28176893.cms" /> Just a few hours from now and a brand new 2014 will be upon us with cheering, partying and celebrations taking place all over the world. But how was the <keyword id="17892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="bollywood-party">Bollywood party</keyword> in the year 2013? How did the <keyword id="1996024" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dream-merchants">dream merchants</keyword> fare, what about <keyword id="1996031" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-performance">box office performance</keyword> and most importantly, what was on the platter for the audience? <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> will never be the same again post 2013 – a year that has given the mainstream <keyword id="1996034" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-movie-industry">Indian movie industry</keyword> many reasons to rejoice. 
 
For one, Bollywood has gone big in every sense of the term. Unlike last year when small-budget films managed to make big bucks, 2013 was the year of the biggies and crores of rupees were spent on production and marketing. Movies like <keyword id="24705" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dhoom-3">Dhoom 3</keyword>, <keyword id="500441" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Krrish-3">Krrish 3</keyword> and <keyword id="227940" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chennai-Express">Chennai Express</keyword> top this trend but others are catching up fast. After all, the savvy audience of today wants big-time <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="entertainment">entertainment</keyword> that spells perfection and novelty – be it great <keyword id="5210" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Star-cast">star cast</keyword>, exotic <keyword id="6542811" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="locations">locations</keyword> or stunning <keyword id="648530" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Special-effects">special effects</keyword>. But all these require big money – a prerequisite for <keyword id="1996041" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-success">box office success</keyword>. Big-budget movies have not disappointed either and at least nine blockbusters have raced to the coveted <keyword id="925977" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rs-100-crore-club">Rs 100 crore club</keyword> in CY2013. 
 Also, in a bid to grab a bigger chunk of the <keyword id="182563" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="BO">BO</keyword> pie, Bollywood has pushed global distribution and aggressively targeted as many screens as possible, both in India and abroad. For instance, Dhoom 3 has reportedly grabbed the biggest number of screens this time – around 4,500 in India and 750 screens overseas. The previous record was held by Chennai Express (3,700 screens at home and 700 screens abroad). 
 Bollywood has also witnessed a spate of diverse themes – from <keyword id="6355304" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="action">action</keyword> thrillers like Dhoom 3 and <keyword id="115922" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Race-2">Race 2</keyword> to <keyword id="1996044" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Superhero-movies">superhero movies</keyword> like Krrish 3, from romance-dramas like Chennai Express, <keyword id="1886157" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ram-Leela">Ram-leela</keyword> and <keyword id="791377" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yeh-Jawaani-Hai-Deewani">Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani</keyword> to <keyword id="145976" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="adult-comedy">adult comedy</keyword> <keyword id="6621270" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Grand-Masti">Grand Masti</keyword> and the impressive <keyword id="394815" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="biopic">biopic</keyword> <keyword id="127336" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhaag-Milkha-Bhaag">Bhaag Milkha Bhaag</keyword>. Almost every theme found its niche audience and managed to do big business, which indicate we are maturing as movie-goers. Here’s a quick look at this year’s <keyword id="671120" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="bollywood-blockbusters">Bollywood blockbusters</keyword>, their financials and a brief recap of the movies. 
 
Images: Wikipedia, Indiatimes

9 Bollywood Blockbusters
That Entered Rs 100 Crore Club In 2013

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35391764.cms" /> Now that the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> polls are over, <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="entertainment">entertainment</keyword> may once again bag the limelight and <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> has already churned out a couple of interesting thriller-gangster movies last week. But most of them were eclipsed by the hot Hollywood release, <keyword id="154785" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Godzilla">Godzilla</keyword>. 
 
While Godzilla collected Rs 18 crore nett in <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> in just three days and another Rs 5 crore on the first Monday as per industry estimates, all five Bollywood movies released last Friday (May 16) had a slow start at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword> and understandably so. For one, the election euphoria is still running high but most importantly, three of the new releases – <keyword id="2218164" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="The-Xpos">The Xposé</keyword>, <keyword id="2248203" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="D-Gangs-of-Mumbai">D Gangs of Mumbai</keyword> and <keyword id="2248206" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="M3-Midsummer-Midnight-Mumbai">M3: Midsummer Midnight Mumbai</keyword> – come with an overdose of vintage masala. Other two of the lot are <keyword id="2248207" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Children-of-War-Nine-Months-to-Freedom">Children of War: Nine Months to Freedom</keyword>, set against the backdrop of <keyword id="73936" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bangladesh-liberation-war">Bangladesh Liberation War</keyword> of 1971, and an animation film for the kids, <keyword id="2248208" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mighty-Raju-Rio-Calling">Mighty Raju – Rio Calling</keyword>, directed by <keyword id="1093861" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rajiv-Chilaka">Rajiv Chilaka</keyword> (of Chhota Bheem fame) and <keyword id="2248210" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anirban-Majumdar">Anirban Majumdar</keyword>. 
 
We were particularly intrigued by The Xposé, a <keyword id="2144245" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Musical-thriller">musical thriller</keyword> directed by <keyword id="304212" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ananth-Narayan-Mahadevan">Ananth Narayan Mahadevan</keyword> and starring <keyword id="8539" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Himesh-Reshammiya">Himesh Reshammiya</keyword> and <keyword id="1089543" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yo-Yo-Honey-Singh">Yo Yo Honey Singh</keyword>, along with debutantes <keyword id="90343" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sonali-Raut">Sonali Raut</keyword> and <keyword id="1273210" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zoya-Afroz">Zoya Afroz</keyword> (<keyword id="2993" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Miss-India">Miss India</keyword> 2013 second runner-up). This one takes a pseudo-realistic peek at the glitzy <keyword id="2248216" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood-of-the-1960s">Bollywood of the 1960s</keyword> – the dazzling era of Hindi movies, glamorous stars and their not-so-well-kept dirty secrets. The fast-paced period drama revolves around the ugly fights between two rival actresses, the shocking murder of one and the subsequent probe carried out by the <keyword id="2248197" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="ex-cop-turned-actor">ex-cop-turned-actor</keyword> Reshammiya (<keyword id="6354422" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ravi-Kumar">Ravi Kumar</keyword>). Star <keyword id="271" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="actor">actor</keyword> <keyword id="16207" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Irrfan-Khan">Irrfan Khan</keyword> also makes a special appearance to assist Himesh Reshammiya in his probe. 
 Although the movie hit about 1,000-plus screens worldwide, business had been slow and debut day collections at the domestic <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> amounted to Rs 2.97 crore nett, as per industry estimates. But the masala entertainer witnessed a decent traction during the first weekend and picked up around Rs 10.97 crore after the first three days. “The Xpose Fri 2.97 cr, Sat 3.43 cr, Sun 4.57 cr. Total: Rs 10.97 cr nett. India biz,” trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted. 
 
Although trade figure puts it to Rs 8.22 crore nett over the first three days, Xposé is a middle-budget movie, costing around Rs 15 crore (production and promotion combined), and according to a statement by producers, they claim to have recovered close to Rs 12.5 crore from the sale of satellite, music, home and overseas video, and other rights, and are profitable post the weekend. This means most of the revenues earned from the theatrical releases will be add to the film’s profit. Collections on the crucial Monday did not disappoint either and stood at around Rs 3.5 crore, as per industry estimates. 
 
Xposé may do even better at the box office, thanks to the thrill factor, although there are too many things happening at the same time and the coherence gets lost, especially in the second half. “It’s a fascinating subject. Right from verbal duels between rivals, to hiring black marketeers to sabotage others’ films, everything has been depicted,” <keyword id="303" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Director">director</keyword> <keyword id="68758" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="ananth-mahadevan">Ananth Mahadevan</keyword> told the Times of India (he himself plays a director in the movie). “The audience will have fun guessing which stars have inspired the sequences.” 
 
D Gangs of Mumbai: Uncomfortable truths Directed by <keyword id="826189" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Wilfred-Lobo">Wilfred Lobo</keyword> and <keyword id="2248198" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajiv-Ranjan-Das">Rajiv Ranjan Das</keyword>, D Gangs of Mumbai is a low-budget crime-thriller that tells the story of two gangsters, <keyword id="169913" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="AVI">Avi</keyword> (<keyword id="3799" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sanjay-Kapoor">Sanjay Kapoor</keyword>) and <keyword id="33379" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shiva">Shiva</keyword> (<keyword id="131513" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aarya-Babbar">Aarya Babbar</keyword>), the chance they get to restart life and the final mess they have to face in order to survive. In other words, D Gangs reminds you of The Great Gatsby, but the box office reception has been extremely poor – around Rs 65 lakh on the opening day and a little over Rs 2 crore after the first three day. And fourth day collection dipped further to a paltry Rs 40 lakh. 
 
<keyword id="914784" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="M3">M3</keyword>: Whodunit with a twist <keyword id="16657" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="sara-khan">Sara Khan</keyword> and Paras Chhabra-starrer M3: Midsummer Midnight Mumbai is a romantic thriller directed by <keyword id="1182415" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Braj-Bhushan">Braj Bhushan</keyword>. But in spite of funny cops, paranormal touch, ‘hot’ love scenes and unpredictable twists and turns, this flick didn’t sizzle at the domestic box office and managed a paltry Rs 70 lakh on the opening day. Total collections after the first three days amounted to Rs 2.25 crore, again putting a big question mark as to the fate of the movie. First Monday collections were no better and amounted to just Rs 56 lakh. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35391850.cms" /> 
 
<keyword id="2225168" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Children-of-War">Children of War</keyword>: Grim reality 
Mrityunjay Devvrat-directed Children of War was released in India and <keyword id="6354759" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bangladesh">Bangladesh</keyword>, but here it had a problematic start as the censor board asked him to change the film’s original title – <keyword id="1967278" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="The-Bastard-Child">The Bastard Child</keyword> (the original title has been retained outside India). Starring <keyword id="14623" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Raima-Sen">Raima Sen</keyword>, <keyword id="6825" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indraneil-Sengupta">Indraneil Sengupta</keyword>, <keyword id="41577" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Victor-Banerjee">Victor Banerjee</keyword>, <keyword id="10655" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pawan-Malhotra">Pawan Malhotra</keyword> and the late <keyword id="78733" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Farooq-Sheikh">Farooq Sheikh</keyword>, this one is a gory tale of the Bangladesh (former East <keyword id="3001" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pakistan">Pakistan</keyword>) Genocide and the country’s <keyword id="140599" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="war-of-independence">War of Independence</keyword> against Pakistan. The brutality of war and the gruesome reality of the <keyword id="2248225" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rape-camps">rape camps</keyword> will leave one stunned, but what is <keyword id="6357415" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="missing">missing</keyword> is the bigger scenario. Official numbers are yet to turn up, but going by insider information, Children of War has been a <keyword id="2076872" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-bomb">box office bomb</keyword>. 
 In spite of the never-ending box office drought, we are now looking forward to superstar <keyword id="14509" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajinikanth">Rajinikanth</keyword>’s <keyword id="1849408" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kochadaiiyaan">Kochadaiiyaan</keyword> and debutant <keyword id="133664" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tiger-Shroff">Tiger Shroff</keyword>’s <keyword id="1184791" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Heropanti">Heropanti</keyword>, to be released on May 23. Both are blockbuster material – exactly the kind Bollywood now badly needs. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office: Godzilla
Overwhelms All But Xposé Off To A Decent Start

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/45374424.cms" /> This weekend, <keyword id="1862071" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Action-Jackson">Action Jackson</keyword> will try out its luck at the <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword>. The movie is directed by Prabhudeva, so you can expect it to be a pot-boiler with some good action sequences and dollops of masala. 
 Starring <keyword id="6354714" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajay-Devgn">Ajay Devgn</keyword>, <keyword id="62210" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sonakshi-Sinha">Sonakshi Sinha</keyword>, Yami Gautam, Manasvi Mamgai, and <keyword id="354735" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anand-Raj">Anand Raj</keyword>, the movie is buzzing and is expected to fare well at the BO. The year proved to be a good one for the hero, Ajay Devgn whose Singham Returns managed to do good business on the Box office. Also, Ajay Devgn and Sonakshi Sinha pair is a hit with the audiences, who loved them together in Son Of Sardar, which too managed to collect good earning despite being pitted against Jab Tak <keyword id="1521499" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hai-Jaan">Hai Jaan</keyword>. 
 
Action Jackson will be released on approximately 3,500 screens in India on December 5, 2014. As it is a working Friday, we are not expecting a spectacular start but the overall first weekend sales should be decent. As per our estimations, the movie should be able to collect at least Rs 30-35 crore in the coming weekend. 
 
Another major reason why we feel Action Jackson might be able to get a good opening is that BO didn’t see some great release in the last couple of weeks; Ungli, Happy Ending, Zid and Zed Plus were not able to get the viewers rushing to the movie halls. So, we wish Action Jackson luck!

Action Jackson Box Office Prediction

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/34381048.cms" /> Female protagonists are ruling <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> nowadays and we were definitely looking forward to some spectacular showing when Kangana Ranaut-Vir Das-starrer comedy-drama <keyword id="1132893" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Revolver-Rani">Revolver Rani</keyword> and Subhash Ghai-directed <keyword id="2214753" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kaanchi-The-Unbreakable">Kaanchi: The Unbreakable</keyword>, yet another <keyword id="2097207" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Woman-centric-movie">woman-centric movie</keyword>, were released on April 25. <keyword id="1718118" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Samrat-Co-">Samrat &amp; Co.</keyword>, a whodunit movie directed and co-written by <keyword id="1097593" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kaushik-Ghatak">Kaushik Ghatak</keyword>, was the third release of the week. 
 Going by the numbers, it was an extremely poor weekend at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword> and the Monday business did not look up either, predicting more gloom and doom. After her stellar performance in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Queen-OutshinesGulaab-Gang-Total-Siyapaa-Tanks/articleshow/31848837.cms">Queen</a> (it has netted around Rs 60 crore at home and grossed nearly Rs 93 crore worldwide), Kangana-led Revolver Rani has turned out to be a surprise slow-starter at the <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> in spite of an intriguing storyline. Sure, it had the best start among the three but netted around Rs 6 crore at home after the first three days in spite of hype and the positive word of mouth. Debut day occupancy was as low as 15% although the movie has hit around 1,500 screens, nearly double the number of <keyword id="6377522" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="queen">Queen</keyword>. 
 
Interestingly, Queen, too, picked up pace pretty late, but managed to nett around Rs 9 crore after the first three days. For Revolver Rani, the crucial Day 4 (Monday, April 28) business was equally dismal and the movie collected around Rs 1.4 crore at home. It has an estimated budget of Rs 24 crore. 
 
However, <keyword id="1417195" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kaanchi">Kaanchi</keyword>, directed by <keyword id="6354581" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Subhash-Ghai">Subhash Ghai</keyword>, suffered a worse fate. This one looks like a clear <keyword id="2076872" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-bomb">box office bomb</keyword> and collected a paltry Rs 75 lakh on the opening Friday. Weekend earnings remained extremely disappointing and the romance-cum-revenge drama could only manage Rs 3 crore in the first three days. Monday collections stood at an estimated Rs 1.1 crore. With the budget of the movie projected to be Rs 30 crore-plus, industry experts are already calling it another disastrous outing by Ghai. Kaanchi has opened in 1,150-1,200 theatres at home, but the occupancy was less than 15%, especially at single screens. In fact, Kaanchi is the lowest debut-day grosser among Ghai’s recent flops including Yaadein (Rs 1.6 crore on opening Friday), Kisna (Rs 1.5 crore) and Yuvraaj (Rs 2.9 crore). 
 <keyword id="2218677" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Samrat-and-Co-">Samrat and Co.</keyword>, a <keyword id="25276" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="detective">detective</keyword> thriller starring <keyword id="15130" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajeev-Khandelwal">Rajeev Khandelwal</keyword>, <keyword id="110704" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Madalasa-Sharma">Madalasa Sharma</keyword> and <keyword id="1600791" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gopal-Datt">Gopal Datt</keyword>, hit around 500 screens at home and was immediately declared a flop. First day collections at the domestic box office were an appalling Rs 25 lakh and total earnings in the first three days stood at Rs 1.45 crore, as per trade figures. Interestingly, first Monday (Day 4) collections were better than the opening day, amounting to Rs 60 lakh. But keeping the film’s budget in mind – in the zone of Rs 18 crore or so – this rahasya (mystery) ride won’t be going anywhere in terms of <keyword id="1996031" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-performance">box office performance</keyword>. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/34381138.cms" /> 
 If you are still wondering what has led to the wholesale box office debacle, a close look at all the three flicks may help decode the failures. Directed by <keyword id="2218682" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sai-Kabir-Shrivastav">Sai Kabir Shrivastav</keyword> (he also did the story and the screenplay) Revolver Rani narrates the story of <keyword id="315181" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Alka-Singh">Alka Singh</keyword> (<keyword id="2201" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kangana-Ranaut">Kangana Ranaut</keyword>), a dacoit-turned-politician in the thick of power game and in love with Bollywood aspirant <keyword id="1555785" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rohan-Mehra">Rohan Mehra</keyword> (<keyword id="671" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vir-das">Vir Das</keyword>). Kangana plays the <keyword id="2218683" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chambal-girl">Chambal girl</keyword> to perfection – raw, raunchy, power-loving and trigger-happy. But one must not write it off as another one of the Bandit Queen saga. The ground realities, the ingrained satire and the layers of turbulence unfold well in the movie, but the story fails at times – losing the smooth flow and meandering during the second half. Overall, it has loads of merit, but it’s hardly a feel-good movie and that could be one of the key reasons behind the slow business pick-up. As <keyword id="122490" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="film-critic">film critic</keyword> Anupama Chopra so rightly said, “If you can enjoy bad people doing bad things, then Revolver Rani will be fun.” 
 
Kaanchi, on the other hand, simply drags on and loses all the suspense of a revenge drama that it later turns out to be. The movie features two newcomers in lead roles, <keyword id="562167" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kartik-Tiwari">Kartik Tiwari</keyword> (aka <keyword id="2104801" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kartik-Aaryan">Kartik Aaryan</keyword>) and Hindi movie debutante Indrani Chakraborty (aka Mishti), while the ‘big baddies’ are played by <keyword id="6357910" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rishi-Kapoor">Rishi Kapoor</keyword> and <keyword id="14672" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mithun-Chakraborty">Mithun Chakraborty</keyword>. The naïve rural beauty Kaanchi fights against power and corruption as her love Binda, her land and her life are at stake. But as is the Bollywood norm, the twists and turns get too filmy to be convincing, the characters become stereotypes and the dialogues are mere lip service. At the end, we are looking at a mere shell instead of a strong script, powerful performances and the ‘gale’ of change. 
 Samrat and Co. does no better in terms of cinematic art. Rajeev Khandelwal (<keyword id="239627" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="private-investigator">private investigator</keyword> Samrat Tilakdhari) lacks the earlier sparkle of Table No. 21. And if you are expecting Rajeev and Gopal (Samrat’s <keyword id="6419345" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="assistant">assistant</keyword> and friend, <keyword id="2218675" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chakradhar-Pandey">Chakradhar Pandey</keyword>) do a Holmes-Watson act, you could be mightily disappointed. But currently you have a mystery to solve. Try and predict if these three would do well at the domestic box office over the first week. Your guess is as good as ours. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office: Kangana Fails To Lift Revolver Rani; Kaanchi Lacks Ghai’s Golden Touch

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/36357217.cms" />Now that the poll fever has waned and the <keyword id="6354312" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="IPL">IPL</keyword> is done with, <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> is back with a bang as the biggest entertainer of all. The first Friday of June has already witnessed a <keyword id="18564" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="blockbuster">blockbuster</keyword> in the making as Akshay Kumar-Sonakshi Sinha-starrer Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty has raked in the crores in the first four days and is fast nearing the Rs 50 crore mark. 
 The power-packed <keyword id="582722" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="action-thriller">action thriller</keyword>, written and directed by <keyword id="39359" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="a-r-murugadoss">A.R. Murugadoss</keyword> (he made his Hindi debut with Aamir Khan-starrer <keyword id="17231" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ghajini">Ghajini</keyword>), netted Rs 41.32 crore at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword> after the first three days (trade figure stands at 40.23 crore) while first Monday collections amounted to Rs 8.02 crore, as per <keyword id="6356809" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="producer">producer</keyword> figure. The film also had a decent collection abroad during the debut weekend, grossing around Rs 10.61 crore. Holiday was released in more than 41 countries and has already surpassed the lifetime collections of <keyword id="1020628" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ragini-MMS-2">Ragini MMS 2</keyword> (Rs 47 crore) and Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Bhoothnath Returns (Rs 39 crore). 
 
Holiday netted Rs 12.18 crore on the opening Friday, making it the fourth highest opening day grosser of 2014, behind <keyword id="6354583" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Salman-Khan">Salman Khan</keyword>’s <keyword id="6593120" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Jai-Ho">Jai Ho</keyword> (Rs 17.55 crore), Ranveer Singh-Arjun Kapoor starrer Gunday (Rs 16.12 crore) and <keyword id="114453" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Arjun-Kapoor">Arjun Kapoor</keyword>’s 2 States (Rs 12.42 crore). The movie also witnessed the third highest opening weekend of the current year – behind Jai Ho (Rs 58.07 crore) and Gunday (Rs 40.26 crore). 
 Other two releases of the week include <keyword id="1598621" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nitin-Kakkar">Nitin Kakkar</keyword>’s critically acclaimed movie <keyword id="1600793" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Filmistaan">Filmistaan</keyword> and <keyword id="2151778" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nisha-Pahuja">Nisha Pahuja</keyword>’s award-winning documentary <keyword id="2109617" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="The-World-Before-Her">The World Before Her</keyword>. In spite of good reviews, Filmistaan fared poorly due to lack of promotion and star value, netting Rs 3.19 crore at home after Day IV. However, the movie netted better on first Monday, earning around Rs 54 lakh, compared to Rs 51 lakh on the opening Friday. We don’t have the numbers yet for Pahuja’s documentary. 
 
Coming back to <keyword id="2113212" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holiday-A-Soldier-Is-Never-Off-Duty">Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty</keyword>, the Akshay-Sonakshi starrer has many a surprise in store, thanks to the twists and turns of a complex plot that interweaves some slick action and offbeat romance with serious issues like brutal terrorism and deep-rooted corruption. This one is a remake of the <keyword id="2317374" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamil-action-thriller">Tamil action thriller</keyword> <keyword id="916764" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Thuppakki">Thuppakki</keyword> (starring Vijay and <keyword id="38180" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Kajal-Aggarwal">Kajal Aggarwal</keyword>) that won both critical acclaim and <keyword id="1996041" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-success">box office success</keyword>. The Hindi remake is equally enthralling, if not more, and Akki (<keyword id="2317380" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Captain-Virat-Bakshy">Captain Virat Bakshy</keyword>) rules the flick till the end. While the soldier on leave springs into action to save Mumbai from the clutches of the terrorists, his lady love <keyword id="1579477" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saiba">Saiba</keyword> (<keyword id="62210" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sonakshi-Sinha">Sonakshi Sinha</keyword>) turns out to be a <keyword id="340167" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="professional-boxer">professional boxer</keyword> and not the traditional Indian girl he has assumed her to be. Overall, an enjoyable movie in spite of some logical fault lines in the story. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/36357288.cms" /> 
 
In sharp contrast, Nitin Kakkar’s directorial debut Filmistaan once again harks back to the untold realities of <keyword id="136188" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indo-Pak-relations">Indo-Pak relations</keyword>, seen through the eyes of <keyword id="609" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sunny">Sunny</keyword> (<keyword id="1600789" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sharib-Hashmi">Sharib Hashmi</keyword>), a <keyword id="2317356" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="small-time-actor-turned-documentary-director">small-time-actor-turned-documentary-director</keyword>. His <keyword id="6374782" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="journey">journey</keyword> through ‘enemy’ territory and the days spent there in captivity gradually unveil the human and cultural bonding that never fails to exist in spite of the political divide. 
 
Finally, we come to Nisha Pahuja’s The World Before Her – a 90-minute documentary that follows the contrasting lifestyles of two <keyword id="624" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Women">women</keyword> in search of empowerment. And in doing so, Pahuja reveals some disturbing questions that are bound to haunt today’s women. As <keyword id="210839" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Critic">critic</keyword> Shubhra Gupta so rightly points out: There are not just two Indias... There are many more. What choices do the girls who live in those other Indias have? Do they have any at all? 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office: Akki’s Holiday A Blockbuster; Filmistaan Falters In Spite Of
Accolades

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/36005359.cms" /> After a week of great <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> action, mainly due to the runaway success of Rajinikanth-starrer <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Kochadaiiyaan-Thrives-On-Rajini-Power-Heropanti-Soaring-High/articleshow/35710189.cms">Kochadaiiyaan</a>, <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> is back to a dismal crawl. Last Friday (May 30) saw the release of just two flicks – Hansal Mehta-directed <keyword id="502037" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Citylights">Citylights</keyword> and newbie film-maker <keyword id="1307809" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aman-Sachdeva">Aman Sachdeva</keyword>’s <keyword id="1444695" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kuku-Mathur-Ki-Jhand-Ho-Gayi">Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi</keyword> (well, this one is produced by <keyword id="6354597" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ekta-Kapoor">Ekta Kapoor</keyword>, <keyword id="154993" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Shobha-Kapoor">Shobha Kapoor</keyword> and Bejoy Nambiar). Although both are hatke movies in a way and the former has earned enough critical accolades, none could manage an impressive showing at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword> and recorded only 5-10% occupancy on debut day. 
 
Citylights, however, did considerably well after collecting just Rs 70 lakh on the opening Friday. The movie hit 500 screens and went on to earn Rs 3.57 crore at home in the first three days, according to <keyword id="6356809" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="producer">producer</keyword> figure (trade figure puts it at Rs 3.18 crore). But the crucial first Monday collections dipped again to Rs 60 lakh (approx). However, keeping in mind it is a <keyword id="2289947" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Low-budget-movie">low-budget movie</keyword> and cost around Rs 7 crore including P&amp;A, Citylights may just avoid losses. 
 
On the other hand, <keyword id="2289921" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kuku-Mathur">Kuku Mathur</keyword> Ki Jhand Ho Gayi, a rom-com drama with a <keyword id="2289946" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="quirky-title">quirky title</keyword> and an unmistakable <keyword id="2289944" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Delhi-flavour">Delhi flavour</keyword>, has garnered a paltry Rs 1.60 crore over the first weekend, against an estimated budget of Rs 6 crore. In addition, it has landed into further trouble as a resident of <keyword id="6355556" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="bhopal">Bhopal</keyword> has reportedly filed a Public Interest Litigation (<keyword id="6355791" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="PIL">PIL</keyword>) against <keyword id="766823" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Balaji-Motion-Pictures">Balaji Motion Pictures</keyword>, claiming that the film’s title has hurt the sentiments of the Kayastha community. Kuku Mathur was released across 700 screens but going by its performance, it can be a clean washout at the box office. 
 
But what has gone wrong with Citylights? For one, the movie gives you a taste of unsavoury reality that is bound to jolt viewers. Inspired by the British film <keyword id="467511" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Metro-Manila">Metro Manila</keyword>, Citylights by <keyword id="303" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Director">director</keyword> <keyword id="4684" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hansal-Mehta">Hansal Mehta</keyword> (of Shahid fame) pieces together the gripping tale of an <keyword id="2289953" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Uprooted-family">uprooted family</keyword> and their desperate struggle to survive in the ruthless city of Mumbai. The <keyword id="1097560" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="storyline">storyline</keyword> unveils a touching human document, superbly portrayed by the lead couple – <keyword id="1946388" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajkummar-Rao">Rajkummar Rao</keyword> (<keyword id="6357110" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="deepak">Deepak</keyword>) and debutante <keyword id="2222926" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Patralekha">Patralekha</keyword>. Even the crime drama blends well with the colourful kaleidoscope – gentle, sombre, harsh and tragic at times. The ending is undoubtedly filmy, but the rest shines with a rare sensitivity that saves Citylights from being a cliché. 
 
 <img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/36005438.cms" /> 
 
In contrast, Kuku Mathur is a <keyword id="2289956" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Light-comedy">light comedy</keyword>, telling the story of two fast <keyword id="343" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Friends">friends</keyword> – Kuku Mathur (<keyword id="803840" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Siddharth-Gupta">Siddharth Gupta</keyword>) and <keyword id="2289924" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ronnie-Gulati">Ronnie Gulati</keyword> (<keyword id="2222736" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ashish-Juneja">Ashish Juneja</keyword>) – and their coming of age. This one is Sachdeva’s debut film and there are the usual hiccups in terms of plot and characters. But the lead duo and <keyword id="38050" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amit-Sial">Amit Sial</keyword> (<keyword id="2289962" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Prabhakar-Bhaiya">Prabhakar Bhaiya</keyword>, the baddie uncle trying to influence Kuku) have put in some fantastic acting; the humour is quite <keyword id="678332" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Subtle">subtle</keyword> at times and the <keyword id="2289967" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Delhi-backdrop">Delhi backdrop</keyword> adds some endearing local colours. Kuku’s culinary aspirations bring in a fresh <keyword id="30450" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Touch">touch</keyword>, but a crisper storyline and engaging <keyword id="42057" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Screenplay">screenplay</keyword> could have improved the film vastly. Overall, an average movie with a few ‘wow’ moments and that partly explains the poor box office response. 
 But in case you are longing for another <keyword id="654103" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="smash">smash</keyword> hit like <keyword id="1849408" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kochadaiiyaan">Kochadaiiyaan</keyword> or even <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Kochadaiiyaan-Thrives-On-Rajini-Power-Heropanti-Soaring-High/articleshow/35710189.cms">Heropanti</a>, wait till you get to watch Akshay Kumar-starrer <keyword id="2113212" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holiday-A-Soldier-Is-Never-Off-Duty">Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty</keyword>, to be released on June 6. It is a remake of the Tamil hit <keyword id="2289970" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tuppaki">Tuppaki</keyword> and also stars <keyword id="62210" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sonakshi-Sinha">Sonakshi Sinha</keyword>. Let us wait and see if ‘Akki’ can break the box office jinx. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Citylights
Impressive But Tanks At Box Office; Kuku Mathur Doesn’t Take Off

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38878069.cms" /> <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> gets a mixed bag this week, but none too palatable and the majority flopped at the <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword>. A total of four movies were released on July 18 – <keyword id="1458485" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hate-Story-2">Hate Story 2</keyword>, <keyword id="1812799" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amit-Sahni-Ki-List">Amit Sahni Ki List</keyword>, <keyword id="2364604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pizza-3D">Pizza 3D</keyword> and finally, <keyword id="20397" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajesh-Khanna">Rajesh Khanna</keyword> tribute film <keyword id="1152105" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Riyasat">Riyasat</keyword>, released on his 2nd death anniversary. But those who expected to find a superb <keyword id="2437016" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Thriller-erotica">thriller-erotica</keyword> in <keyword id="2296101" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vishal-Pandya">Vishal Pandya</keyword>’s <keyword id="753788" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hate-Story">Hate Story</keyword> 2 could be disappointed – neither the sizzle, nor the thrill matched the earlier Hate Story (a 2012 film directed by <keyword id="30014" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Vivek-Agnihotri">Vivek Agnihotri</keyword> and starring <keyword id="455333" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Paoli-Dam">Paoli Dam</keyword>, Gulshan Devaiah and <keyword id="8255" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Nikhil-Dwivedi">Nikhil Dwivedi</keyword>). In spite of some spirited acting by <keyword id="22533" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Surveen-Chawla">Surveen Chawla</keyword> and <keyword id="21678" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="sushant-singh">Sushant Singh</keyword>, the current movie turned out to be a mediocre <keyword id="1321184" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="revenge-drama">revenge drama</keyword> with lots of skin show, but still managed to do amazingly well at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword>. Produced by <keyword id="24468" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhushan-Kumar">Bhushan Kumar</keyword> and <keyword id="15260" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="vikram-bhatt">Vikram Bhatt</keyword>, Hate Story 2 netted Rs 5.46 crore on the opening Friday (trade figure stood at Rs 4.61 crore) and went on to collect Rs 15.85 crore nett in the first three days (trade figure was Rs 14.30 crore). But there was the usual Monday drop and the movie collected around Rs 2.68 crore on the fourth day (trade figure was Rs 2.11 crore), thus netting a total of Rs 18.53 crore after Day 4. 
 
Hate Story 2 hit 600 screens across the country but thanks to the fantastic business it is doing, the distributors now want it to be released in 1,200 screens pan-India, as per media reports. The opening weekend collections of Hate Story 2 were bigger than some A-list movies, including <keyword id="6377522" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="queen">Queen</keyword>, Highway and Dedh Ishqiya, and the 15th highest in 2014. It had a budget of Rs 14 crore (cost and P&amp;A), which means the flick is making profits. Interestingly, the official trailer of Hate Story 2 crossed over 4 million views on <keyword id="10879" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="YouTube">YouTube</keyword> within four days of its launch, but if you ask us, it’s a total put-off in many ways in spite of earning more than the other three releases. 
 
In stark contrast, Vir Das-Vega Tamotia-Anindita Nayar-starrer <keyword id="2336494" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amit-Sahni">Amit Sahni</keyword> Ki List turns out to be a refreshing <keyword id="1636016" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="rom-com">rom-com</keyword> with loads of laughter and some pertinent points about relationships. But <keyword id="664154" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ajay-Bhuyan">Ajay Bhuyan</keyword>’s directorial endeavour failed to win hearts, netting a little over Rs 3.1 crore at home after the first Monday. Pizza 3D, a remake of the 2012 Tamil <keyword id="828468" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Supernatural">supernatural</keyword> thriller, came loaded with terror bytes but earned around Rs 2.87 crore nett in the first three days. Incidentally, the Tamil version of this movie was a sleeper hit. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38878118.cms" /> 
 
However, the worst is Ashok Tyagi-directed Riyasat, yet another version of Mario Puzo’s Godfather and <keyword id="1076" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="superstar">superstar</keyword> Rajesh Khanna’s (<keyword id="4753" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saheb">Saheb</keyword>) last outing. First day collections stood at a paltry Rs 36 lakh and the rest of the numbers are yet to come in. But industry insiders expect it to be a box office bomb and Khanna’s listless presence is not likely to help it. Although Aryan Vaid (Shakti), the elder son and heir, and <keyword id="15984" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aryeman-Ramsay">Aryeman Ramsay</keyword> (his younger son <keyword id="3037" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Vijay">Vijay</keyword>) performed well, India’s first-ever superstar was completely off-colour and looked totally under the weather – hardly a fitting tribute to an <keyword id="271" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="actor">actor</keyword> of his stature. 
 
Critically speaking, Amit Sahni Ki List still tops the list in spite of the box office debacle and the shoddy treatment of an intriguing script. Here we meet Amit Sahni (<keyword id="671" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vir-das">Vir Das</keyword>), an <keyword id="140092" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="investment-banker">investment banker</keyword> trying to find the perfect relationship and not get hurt in the process. His serio-comic vulnerability reminds one of the young gang from Dil Chahta Hai and the carefully made check list of partner’s qualities once again makes us realise life does not follow a perfect script in spite of all our efforts. But the movie loses pace in-between, loses coherence and a drab ending ultimately mars the freshness. 
 Directed by debutant <keyword id="2174779" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Akshay-Akkineni">Akshay Akkineni</keyword>, Pizza 3D captures the paranormal experiences of Kunal (<keyword id="480238" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Akshay-Oberoi">Akshay Oberoi</keyword>), a <keyword id="1079002" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="pizza-delivery-boy">pizza delivery boy</keyword> married to the <keyword id="2437008" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="horror-thriller-writer">horror thriller writer</keyword> <keyword id="741" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nikita">Nikita</keyword> (<keyword id="12341" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Parvathy-Omanakuttan">Parvathy Omanakuttan</keyword>). What follows is a terror fest, with loads of twists and turns, leading to a climax that is spooky enough to please horror fans. However, the 3D effects did not add much to the terror elements. 
 
Overall, an average week for Bollywood, but you are bound to experience some dhamaka when Salman Khan-Jacqueline Fernandez-starrer <keyword id="6362088" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="kick">Kick</keyword> is released on July 25. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office: Hate
Story 2 Steals The Show, But Don’t Miss Amit Sahni Ki List

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/32243274.cms" /> Here is one <keyword id="2045029" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood-rom-com">Bollywood rom-com</keyword> that could have raised some serious questions about recession and its backlash, hollow consumerism and Gen Y lifestyle, without losing its frothiness. But Nupur Asthana-directed <keyword id="2045255" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bewakoofiyaan">Bewakoofiyaan</keyword> (from the house of <keyword id="36603" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yash-Raj-Films">Yash Raj Films</keyword>) does not go beyond the first layer of the grim reality and tanks at the <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword>. The flick, starring <keyword id="6354535" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ayushmann-Khurrana">Ayushmann Khurrana</keyword>, <keyword id="710" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sonam-Kapoor">Sonam Kapoor</keyword> and <keyword id="6357910" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rishi-Kapoor">Rishi Kapoor</keyword>, was released on Friday the 14th, exactly a month after Valentine’s Day, and turned out to be a damp squib – netting around Rs 6.75 crore at home after the first weekend. That’s quite disappointing as business should have picked up during the <keyword id="2144242" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holi-weekend">Holi weekend</keyword>. Also, the crucial Day 4 figures are not available yet as movie theatres across Northern India did not open till 3 pm on Monday (March 17) on account of Holi. As per a report by Rentrak, the opening weekend collection stood at $46,888 (Rs 28.64 lakh) in the US where Bewakoofiyaan was released in 51 theatres. 
 
Interestingly, Kangna Ranaut-starrer <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Queen-OutshinesGulaab-Gang-Total-Siyapaa-Tanks/articleshow/31848837.cms">Queen</a>, released on March 7, continues to rule the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword> in the second week and has netted a little over Rs 31 crore after Day 10, according to trade estimates. The flick has grossed around Rs 5.3 crore overseas during this time span and could be well on its way to become another <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> top-grosser in 2014 after Salman’s Khan’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Sunny-Leone-SizzlesIn-Ragini-MMS-2-Jai-Ho-Finally-Enters-100-Crore-Club/articleshow/29870204.cms">Jai Ho</a>. On the other hand, the much-touted <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Queen-OutshinesGulaab-Gang-Total-Siyapaa-Tanks/articleshow/31848837.cms">Gulaab Gang</a>, starring <keyword id="289" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="madhuri-dixit-nene">Madhuri Dixit Nene</keyword> and <keyword id="6371319" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Juhi-Chawla">Juhi Chawla</keyword>, has considerably slowed down at the domestic box office, collecting around Rs 13 crore till date, as per Koimoi. 
 
The other release of the week is <keyword id="329977" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="W">W</keyword>, a <keyword id="2144245" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Musical-thriller">musical thriller</keyword> directed by <keyword id="2077464" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tarun-Madan-Chopra">Tarun Madan Chopra</keyword> and starring <keyword id="2144218" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Leeza-Mangaldas">Leeza Mangaldas</keyword> (Sandy), Leslie Tripathy (Ruhi), Sonal Giani (Manu) and others. This one is a movie with a message and deals with the trauma of three rape victims, seeking justice in a male-dominated society. But don’t try to compare it with the regional but hugely acclaimed Adalat o Ekti Meye, directed by Tapan Sinha. The emotional pain and conflict are <keyword id="6357415" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="missing">missing</keyword> here even though the movie is dealing with a sensitive issue like rape. Instead, we land up in a stereotype <keyword id="1321184" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="revenge-drama">revenge drama</keyword> that works out all too smoothly. The <keyword id="2034852" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-numbers">box office numbers</keyword> are yet to arrive and we will keep you updated. 
 
Coming back to the storyline of Bewakoofiyaan, it is not difficult to see how ‘grave’ issues like joblessness and the consequent loss of social status have been watered down till everything falls into place as per Bollywood tradition. Here, we have <keyword id="793543" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="mohit-chaddha">Mohit Chaddha</keyword> (Ayushmann Khurrana), an <keyword id="2144224" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="ambitious-airline-executive">ambitious airline executive</keyword> who has landed the infamous pink slip; his girlfriend <keyword id="2144220" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mayera-Sehgal">Mayera Sehgal</keyword> (Sonam Kapoor) – an upper class, brand-worshipping Delhiite, and her highly placed, ‘practical’ father VK Sehgal (Rishi Kapoor). While Ayushmann’s fall from grace, his anger and frustration at losing the top-end lifestyle look convincing enough, Sonam never walks the talk she hands out to cheer up a depressed Ayushmann. For her, there’s no maturing of role and she looks eminently confused – trying to cope with a dictatorial papa and a boyfriend in distress. As for Rishi Kapoor, there is no saving grace either. Once again, he is the quintessential Bollywood father, ruling his daughter’s life. 
 Overall, not an inspiring movie and fails to go beyond the obvious. <keyword id="210839" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Critic">Critic</keyword> Sanjukta Sharma sums it up well when she says the film is flat, monotonous and defying all manner of reason, and it is no better than ‘a soap opera.’ 
 
Image: Indiatimes

Box Office: Bewakoofiyaan Is Lacklustre, W Verges
On Stereotype

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/37123563.cms" /> <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> has produced plenty of crass slapstick comedies over the years, but <keyword id="1718975" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Humshakals">Humshakals</keyword> seems to beat them all. There’s no method in this madness as <keyword id="136180" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="director-Sajid-Khan">director Sajid Khan</keyword> attempted to create a <keyword id="2368861" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Multi-starrer-entertainer">multi-starrer entertainer</keyword> <keyword id="6485088" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="wit">wit</keyword>hout sparkling wit, intelligence and a tight <keyword id="6371619" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="plot">plot</keyword> that would have produced some rollicking fun and an intriguing escapade. But Humshakals never rose above <keyword id="2368891" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tiresome-gags">tiresome gags</keyword> and <keyword id="2368890" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Banal-humour">banal humour</keyword> in spite of some <keyword id="2368892" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Good-acting">good acting</keyword>. Still, here’s the surprise of surprise, the movie has hit <keyword id="18712" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Gold">gold</keyword> at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword>, raking in Rs 40.13 crore nett in the first three days (trade figure Rs 34.91 crore). It is the 4th biggest opening weekend this year after <keyword id="6593120" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Jai-Ho">Jai Ho</keyword> (Rs 60.68 crore), <keyword id="6427325" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gunday">Gunday</keyword> (Rs 43.93 crore) and Holiday (Rs 41.32 crore). 
 
“Humshakals Fri 12.50 cr, Sat 12.59 cr, Sun 15.04 cr. Total: Rs 40.13 cr nett India biz,” tweeted Bollywood trade analyst and film critic, Taran Adarsh. Overseas total is approximately $2.02 million or Rs 12.16 crore from 40 countries, according to Adarsh. However, Monday collections at home saw a sheer drop of more than 60%, reaching a little over Rs 5 crore as per industry estimates. Total <keyword id="1996076" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-collections">domestic collections</keyword> after Day IV stood at Rs 45.23 crore nett, which means the movie is all set to hit the <keyword id="2368887" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rs-50-crore-mark">Rs 50 crore mark</keyword> at home by Day V. Although it is a <keyword id="87291" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="big-budget-movie">big budget movie</keyword> and cost a whopping Rs 75 crore including P&amp;A, <keyword id="106474" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fox-Star-Studios">Fox Star Studios</keyword> and <keyword id="22777" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vashu-Bhagnani">Vashu Bhagnani</keyword>’s Humshakals has acted smart and already bagged Rs 45 crore by selling its satellite and music rights. 
 
Humshakals hit nearly 3,000 screens and it is the third <keyword id="2368881" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Widest-release">widest release</keyword> of 2014, behind Jai Ho and Holiday. Going by the <keyword id="2368884" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Opening-day-performance">opening day performance</keyword>, it ranks third this year – Rs 12.50 crore nett on Friday (June 20). Salman Khan-starrer Jai Ho tops the list with Rs 17.50 crore while Ranveer Singh-Arjun Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra-starrer Gunday amassed Rs 15.50 crore on <keyword id="2368879" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Debut-day">debut day</keyword>. 
 
 <img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/37123618.cms" /> 
 Coming back to the critical part of the movie, we were literally at a loss to track the <keyword id="1097560" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="storyline">storyline</keyword>. Here are three male stars – <keyword id="333" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saif-Ali-Khan">Saif Ali Khan</keyword> (<keyword id="2368848" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ashok-Singhania">Ashok Singhania</keyword>, the tycoon), his best friend <keyword id="1420" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Riteish-Deshmukh">Riteish Deshmukh</keyword> (<keyword id="6358442" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kumar">Kumar</keyword>) and <keyword id="17416" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ram-Kapoor">Ram Kapoor</keyword> (Ashok’s <keyword id="529153" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Wicked">wicked</keyword> <keyword id="2368847" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mamaji-Kunwar-Amarnath-Singh">Mamaji Kunwar Amarnath Singh</keyword> who is after his wealth) – but to complicate matters, you will find them all in triple roles. Also, true to Bollywood ishtyle, Ram Kapoor manages to pack off Ashok and Kumar to a <keyword id="495099" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="mental-asylum">mental asylum</keyword> where their <keyword id="2368862" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Doppelgangers">doppelgangers</keyword> are being treated. 
 What follows is pure mayhem, especially when a third set of Ashok and Kumar (this time created with the help of plastic surgery) comes on board to dupe the real duo. The baddie (Ram Kapoor) also gets his fair share of lookalikes and all three <keyword id="2368864" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Male-leads">male leads</keyword> caper around as females in various outfits and hair-dos. The climax at the <keyword id="118569" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="House-of-Commons">House of Commons</keyword> was as muddled and wobbly as the <keyword id="2368854" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Multi-layered-plot">multi-layered plot</keyword> and fails to tickle us. Sajid also got hold of three dazzling female leads – <keyword id="654350" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamannaah-Bhatia">Tamannaah Bhatia</keyword> (<keyword id="2425" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shanaya">Shanaya</keyword> who is Ashok’s lady love), <keyword id="8112" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bipasha-Basu">Bipasha Basu</keyword> (<keyword id="792912" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="mishti">Mishti</keyword>, Kumar’s love interest) and <keyword id="7427" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Esha-Gupta">Esha Gupta</keyword> (Dr <keyword id="1385858" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shivani-Gupta">Shivani Gupta</keyword> who was taking care of Ashok and Kumar in the asylum) – but they had little to do in this movie. 
 Going by its <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> performance, the audience must have given a thumbs-up to Humshakals. But even a commercially successful movie may have a great many pitfalls. As film critic Saibal Chatterjee so aptly says, “Humshakals is an execrable comedy of horrors that plumbs the depths of stupidity and crassness... Sorry, Mr Khan, no matter how much money your film ends up with at the box office, the joke is entirely on you!” 
 
Images: Indiatimes

You Searched For "Bollywood box office" and got 20 results

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