Over Rs.300 crore ride on six films lined up for release in November making it the busiest month for Bollywood this year.
Bollywood frenzy awaits movie buffs in November. Spread over four Fridays of the month are six hyped releases, at least two of which are serious contenders for biggest hit of the year. Krrish 3 on November 1 and Ramleela on November 15 are already vying for a blockbuster tag while Rajjo , Gori Tere Pyaar Mein , Singh Saab The Great and Bullett Raja are also lined up next month.
Multiple releases in consecutive weeks are common in this era of multiplexes. What makes November special is the sheer magnitude of money at stake. In all, approximately Rs.310 crore rides on the half a dozen releases.
“November looks like a huge month. Over Rs.300 crore are at stake and we expect good returns overall because all the films belong to varied genres,” says Girish Wankhede, head of marketing, Cinemax.
A section of the trade, though, is wary. A similar situation happened in August when four films released back to back – Chennai Express, Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobara, Madras Cafe and Satyagraha . Chennai Express was the first release of the month and eventually emerged the biggest hit of all time.
The film’s overwhelming box- office response clearly dented prospects of the subsequent August releases. None of the other films managed to create an impact. I N November, Krrish 3, releasing during the Diwali weekend on the first Friday, should have that advantage.
Realising the power of Hrithik Roshan’s superhero franchise, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has decided to release Ramleela a full fortnight later.
“Krrish 3 has a huge advantage because of its release date, because it is a sequel to a major franchise and because it is a Hrithik Roshan film. The film could break records,” adds Girish.
The relatively smaller Rajjo clashes with Ramleela . However trade analyst Taran Adarsh opines: ” A good film knows no competition or clash. Different genres can always coexist.” ( Release dates are subject to change; all figures according to trade estimates)
Rajjo , November 15
Vishwas Patil directs Kangna Ranaut and Paras Arora
The film explores the dying kotha culture of India. Kangna plays a Muslim nautch girl in love with a Brahmin boy played by debutant Paras Arora.
The buzz: The lavish look of the film evident in its first- look posters has garnered a buzz for the film, as well as the fact that the makers have shown guts to release their small film on the same day as Ramleela . FINAL WORD: The box office numbers of Rajjo might get affected because it releases on the same day as Ramleela .
Bullett Raja, November 29
Tigmanshu Dhulia directs Saif Ali Khan & Sonakshi Sinha.
Dhulia gives a masala edge to his gritty cinematic idiom with the film, which casts Saif as a gangster.
The buzz: Saif’s macho look and his first- time pairing with Sonakshi Sinha has created a buzz. Also, Dhulia has a loyal fan base.
Final word: With Dhulia’s name in the credits, the film should naturally find takers in the multiplexes, while the stars and the strong violence should help woo the single screens.
Ramleela, November 15
Sanjay Leela Bhansali directs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh
Ramleela is Bhansali’s version of Romeo And Juliet . It narrates the romance of its protagonists Ram and Leela amidst violence.
The buzz: The trademark Bhansali thrust on a majestic look has attracted attention, besides the hype over a rumoured affair between Deepika and Ranveer.
Deepika’s winning streak at the box- office lately should also works as a lucky charm.
Final word: Bhansali hasn’t had a hit since Black in 2005 and this film could be the 100- crore blockbuster that sets the record right.
Krrish 3 November 1
Rakesh Roshan directs Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Kangna Ranaut and Vivek Oberoi
Click to read Hrithik Roshan unveils Krrish 3 merchandise
The film sees Hrithik’s Krrish thwarting the evil designs of the villain Kaal, played by Vivek Oberoi. Kangna Ranaut is cast as an evil mutant.
The buzz: Krrish 3 comes seven years after the last film and the hype is immense. Hrithik, too, returns after nearly 19 months, his last release being Agneepath in January 2012. Krrish being the only Bollywood superhero to have succeeded, expectations are high.
Final word: The trade feels Krrish 3 could break a few records. Opening on the Diwali weekend, ` 100 crore looks like a done deal.
Singh Saab The Great, November 22
Anil Sharma directs Sunny Deol and Amrita Rao
The Gadar team of Sunny and Anil Sharma return, with Sunny in a fullfledged action role as a turbaned crusader fighting corruption and injustice.
The buzz: Sunny’s return in a hardcore action role has made his fans eager. However, the film’s promotion so far has been low- key. Also, the brand of action Sunny seems to be hawking in the film has become commonplace now.
Final word: Releasing the film in a crowded market could backfire if the makers don’t promote it more aggressively.
Gori Tere Pyaar Mein November 22
Punit Malhotra directs Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan
Imran plays a city guy who forsakes his urban lifestyle to woo the rustic heroine played by Kareena. She is a patriot who wants to do something for her country.
The buzz: Imran and Kareena’s last film together, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu , saw an average run and the first look of Gori Tere Pyaar Mein has not created much impact. However the rom- com is a popular genre, which should be an advantage for the film.
Final word: Hype so far has been low, and releasing a week after Ramleela and along with Singh Saab The Great could affect the film’s box- office numbers.
Other biggies this year
Besharam October 2
Ranbir Kapoor’s latest opened this week to good response at the box- office riding the hype around the budding superstar. The romcom directed by Abhinav Singh Kashyap was made on a budget of approximately ` 60 crore. Ranbir fans have loved his image makeover as a tapori in the film.
Boss October 16
Akshay Kumar would want to leave behind the debacle of Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara with his new film, a remake of the Malayalam hit Pokkiri Raja . The film is typically all about larger- thanlife stunts, loud melodrama, slapstick and item numbers featuring Sonakshi Sinha and Prabhu Deva.
Dhoom:3 December 20
Touted by many in the trade as possibly the biggest hit of 2013, Dhoom 3 casts Aamir Khan as the antihero opposite Katrina Kaif. Both stars have action roles. The Christmas release has been smartly promoted over the past few months, with hype growing every passing day. No other biggie has been announced within a month of the film.
