Box Office Check: 2013 Still Seems Dull As Compared To 2012

While 2012 had some huge blockbusters, some massive hits and some brilliant surprise elements, 2013 has hardly a few to reckon with. Starting with the much talked about 100 crore club, one which has become the newest benchmark for Bollywoodised success, comparisons between the films in 2012 and 2013 mark a stark change from the usual dose of expectations. While 2012 had as many as nine films entering the coveted 100 crore brigade, 2013 could only register membership to four films till now. Be it an out an out mad cap comic caper like Housefull 2 or a Bol Bachchan, a stylish espionage spy thriller like Ek Tha Tiger, a critically acclaimed story of a deaf and mute Barfi, a classic romantic saga like Jab Tak Hai Jaan or the otherwise glittering action comedies like a Rowdy Rathore, Dabangg 2, Agneepath or Son of Sardaar, each genre had its own flavor as the audiences welcomed each film with its own varied hues.

Strike back to September 2013 and all we have is a remotely shortened list of about four films, two of which have somehow managed to score the dignified banter and the other two had been instrumental in saving the industry from a financial disgrace, so to say. Race 2, the sequel to suspense thriller Race was majorly criticized by critics for its otherwise bland sequences and gibberish intellect, but it did manage to carve in the way to the club. Following the Race 2 release in January, there was no entrant till a sudden Dharma storm hit theatres beating the lull during the IPL Season. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, KJo’s new age Kuch Kuch Hota Hai rocked the charts and went on to become the biggest hit for all the team members. Again a period of about two months passed by when a stellar classy act by Farhan Akhtar in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag earned him numerous accolades along with commercial fame as the film zoomed into the 100 crore league after all. But it was only Shah Rukh Khan-Rohit Shetty coalition Chennai Express that had a thunderous response at the box office. Crossing the 100 crore mark in a matter of three and half days, CE went onwards to shatter all other previous records, registered under the other contemporaries. Standing at a domestic total of about 226 crores now, Chennai Express expanded the market to a much more global platform raking in the highest moolah with a worldwide collection boasting of a whooping 400 crores, a feat that is a first in Hindi cinema.

While we talk about these heavyweight filmmakers and superstars basking in their shimmering glory, there were also films made on a stringent budget which somehow provided the profit fodder to the industry with huge returns on investment value. While it was an eight crore Kahaani raking in 60 crores at the box office marking the new age drive of cultivated films being on the cinegoer’s platter, Vicky Donor too followed suit. Whilst in 2012, films like Ishaqzaade, English Vinglish, 1920-Evil Returns, Gangs of Wasseypur had the advantage of the word of mouth and made its way to commercial success with much ease and comfort, the year also boasted of an iconic poorly budgeted biopic Paan Singh Tomar and an audaciously lewd and sleazy Jism 2 managing to grab a foothold somehow.

Nevertheless, 2013 had a host of surprises in store. The only department where we can call 2013 one step ahead of the year gone by, this year gasconaded with some really flourishing storylines as some filmy products marveled us with their truest essence of being hugely definitive. Bollywood’s answer to Step Up, Remo’s ABCD grabbed an instant furor and given the enigmatic dance stills and iconic moves and maneuvers, Any Body Can Dance instantly attracted masses, in turn becoming the year’s first superhit. Made on low budgets, films like Murder 3 and Jolly LLB also showed promising endeavours but it was Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che that we all lost our hearts to. Beautifully woven plot and the perfect zest, Bromance was the new in-thing. David Dhawan’s comeback in the form of Chashme Baddoor brought his lost sheen back in place while other films like Fukrey, Ranjhanaa, Shuddh Desi Romance charmed us with their uniqueness and propriety.

But when you talk of surprise-hits and ROI, one film that almost redefined new age romance was Aashiqui 2. Earning around 85 crores after being made at a budget of 12 crores, the film neither boasted of a starry face or a big-shot director. But it was definitely the Emotional Quotient that appealed to the audiences. And with a film as hard hitting and sparkling as Madras Café being being received well, the fact that India is booming towards a greater dimension was resonated.

Now that we spoke so highly about all the shimmering successes and glittering surprises, let’s get back to the shocks and bumps as well. Both years have been instrumental of proving that it just doesn’t take a heavyweight name or a brand to make a film run, when the content is relatively tampered with or isn’t worthy enough of a watch. 2012 had a series of films that could not work well, not what it set out to be, prior to its release. Players bombed at the box office and films like Shanghai and Tezz also could not find a footing, despite having the humungous Emraan Hashmi or an Ajay Devgn tag. Akshay Kumar’s biggest mistake, came in the form of Shirish Kunder’s Joker which was an absolute piece of shitty tomfoolery and gibberishness. Agent Vinod which was meant to be a slick action spy thriller turned out a dud from the first frame and hugely anticipated films like Heroine also found it difficult to rise upto the mark. But 2012’a biggest disappointment came in the form Talaash. Being an Aamir Khan film, the film underperformed to a huge extent as it could not even traverse the path of 100 crores and turned breathless inches away from the target.

Now while everyone will debate about Talaash being listed under the Below Expectations Category, it certainly doesn’t take away the Hit tag from the film. Similarly, although Shootout at Wadala might have done moderately well business this year, the John Abraham starrer gangster flick was expected to create ripples at the box office which it failed to. Ditto for Satyagraha, pinned as a social-political thriller, the film did manage to earn quite some moolah, but it definitely could not cash in on the huge names listed in its ensemble. Akshay Kumar’s Special 26 was considered an iconic take because of its lucidity but it fairly managed 70 crores although his non-sensical Rowdy Rathore last year fetched almost double the amount. Similarly some hugely deserving films received a commercial setback as they failed to strike a chord with the audience, much due to its lack luster treatment, low hype or sometimes huge intelligentsia involved. Such was the case with films like David, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, Bombay Talkies and Lootera. Having a magnanimous brand today doesn’t necessarily certify you of good films or successful films. For proof, just look up the terrible fate that hugely euphoric films like Himmatwala, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, Ghanchakkar, Zanjeer and obviously, Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbaai Dobaara had to face at the hands of the audience. Slashed to the extent of being critical, not even illustrious filmy surnames of a Deol or a Devgn or a Bombaat Balan, a Chopra or a Khiladi Kumar could save the day for the makers.

Nevertheless, 2012 had some major hurricanes shooting the year to an ultimate high with some huge films taking it up to the crescendo. But 2013 had some rising highs and some major lows that somehow have blown it up already. All that we await now are films like Besharam, Boss, Krissh 3 and the eagerly anticipated Dhoom 3 to take the 2013 banter flying high on the pinnacles of glory. Only if these films don’t disappoint like a Himmatwala! Fingers crossed.

India today, is definitely receptive to all kinds of films, from the films that strike your private organs to the one that triggers the intelligentsia, Bollywood has definitely become a happier place to live on.

India Box Office – Bollywood’s Fastest 100 Crore Grosser of All Times

(all-India net collections) (in Rs. crores)

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