Mohit Suri’s Aashiqui 2 has managed a little miracle at the box office. Surpassing a Goliath big budget release, Shootout At Wadala at the box office in its third week, the film by the conclusion of its gone by week has managed to rake up an approximate of 64 crores so far, and eyeing for more. Bhushan Kumar (producer of Aashiqui 2)who succeeded his slain father, T Series honcho Gulshan Kumar, ventured into film production by choice. Though his succession into the business was by default; the man as a new age businessman experimented into risky realms of work rather than adhering to his father’s vision of music production obediently.
On the eve of the overpowering success of Aashiqui 2, Koimoi traces Bhushan Kumar’s journey as a film producer and how with a mixed bag record, he managed an enthralling super hit!
Bhushan Kumar
Tum Bin (2001)
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the film was a beautiful love story. Starring rather unknown faces like Priyanshu Chatterjee and Sandali Sinha, the film’s box office performance was almost average. With the most memorable soundtrack consisting of hit songs of Jagjit Singh and Sonu Nigam, the film was a huge success every time it premiered on television, impressing and overwhelming audiences every time with its strong melancholic factor. Not exactly a tremendous beginning to his career in films, he still ventured into it boldly with great confidence!
Lucky: No Time For Love (2005)
Introducing Aishwarya Rai look alike Sneha Ullal into Bollywood, the film was a romantic tale of two people lost in a war torn Russia. Salman Khan who plays the film male lead failed to manage a good performance in the film. With a bad spell on both Kumar and Khan, the film flopped miserably at the box office. The duo teamed back again six years later to make a super hit film Ready!
Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)
Remake of a popular Malyalam movie, this film is psychological comedy directed by Priyadarshan. Starring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan and Shiney Ahuja, the film became one of that year’s largest hits. Earning itself a total domestic income of 50 crores, the film ranks as one of the most intriguing comedies of recent times. Witty and intelligent, the film still scores as a must watch and paved path for Kumar’s success as a producer!
Ready (2011)
One of Salman Khan’s most profitable successes, Ready starring Asin and Khan in lead role, the film went on to become a super hit and joined the prestigious 100 crore club with a total domestic collections of 120 crores. Bhushan Kumar joined the distinguished league by smartly cashing in Salman’s raging popularity and solid fan base, which was an intelligent business move on his part.
Patiala House (2011)
Based loosely on the life of Monty Panesar, the film was conceived by scriptwriter Rahul Nanda. Bhushan Kumar lending his production banner to the film suffered heavy losses unfortunately. Despite a strong star cast of Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma, Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, the film failed to manage a positive response from the box office. Managing a limited sum of merely 32 crores, the film’s dismal failure was bizarre and unexpected for many.
Nautanki Saala (2013)
Based on a beautiful French film Apres Vous, Nautanki Saala was an adaptation of it, framing it in the Indian context. While most critics found the soul of the film missing, Nautanki Saala managed to rake up a plus income of 21 crores. Starring 2012’s most successful and energetic debutant, Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead role, along with Kunal Roy Kapur of Delhi Belly, the film was largely bland for most and failed to evoke a great response at the box office.
Aashiqui 2 (2013)
Mukesh Bhatt and Gulshan Kumar way back in 1990 had produced one of the year’s swiftest money spinners. In 2013 again, Vishesh Films and Bhushan Kumar collaborated for a sequel of the film. Made on a budget of 8 crores, the film raked up 64 crores approximately in three weeks flat leaving behind few of the year’s biggest and better hits. Romantic in flavor, Aashiqui 2 like its prequel was a fabulous venture that has made Bhushan Kumar a star in the producer circuits!
The man has a host of films lined up from his Production House, Bhushan Kumar is one producer who doesn’t mind risking his money in games of high stake! Following the legacy of his father, Bhushan Kumar is balancing music production and film production with unbeatable gusto!
