#Vishek Chauhan

[bolllywoodhungama]

Trade experts discuss why Animal star Ranbir Kapoor is leaps and bounds ahead of his contemporaries: “You can add him to the league of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan”

Animal has become the fifth blockbuster of 2023 and the second blockbuster for Ranbir Kapoor after Sanju (2018). The actor is in a unique position – he has delivered 6 flops and a few underperforming films. But he has compensated for it with big hits.

Since his debut film Saawariya (2007), Ranbir has made a place in the hearts of the audience. His charming looks and acting talent made him a performer to watch out for. Off-screen, he has an adorable-yet-badass image, which connected well with the audience. He’s absent from social media and keeps away from media when he doesn’t have a film to promote. But when he appears at events and interviews, he’ll make sure he becomes the talking point before disappearing into his cocoon or work. In today’s times, when actors are all over the place, it’s amazing how Ranbir Kapoor has managed to keep the intrigue alive.

All these factors would not have worked if he wasn’t a talented actor. As trade veteran Taran Adarsh rightly said a few weeks ago in an article for Bollywood Hungama, “You can find fault in his films. But you cannot find fault in Ranbir Kapoor’s performance.”

Ranbir Kapoor has dabbled in various genres and has always come out with flying colours. One can see that he has worked hard to get the character alive. Yet, it looks natural and this balance is hard to achieve. In Animal, he plays a ferocious character, making one forget about his acts in light-hearted films like Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009), Wake Up Sid (2009), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) etc. With this film, his stardom has got a boost and it’s clear that he’s now a bona fide superstar. The usage of the prefix ‘Superstar Ranbir Kapoor’ in the posters of Animal did raise some eyebrows. But all these cynics had to eat their words once Animal became a typhoon at the ticket window.

Animal is the second film of Ranbir Kapoor to cross the Rs. 300 crores mark and it’ll be Ranbir’s first film to cross the Rs. 500 crores mark, if all goes well. Besides Shah Rukh Khan and Sunny Deol, he’ll be the third actor to enter the coveted club. Even Overseas, he has a loyal audience. Animal, in fact, was the number one film last weekend, surpassing Hollywood biggies like Napoleon and The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes with a worldwide gross of USD 42.17 million [Rs. 351.38 cr.]. If that’s not all, a viral story in Bollywood Hungama revealed that Ranbir Kapoor has collected Rs. 2018.02 crores from his 21 releases (and counting). He’ll soon surpass Aamir Khan’s cumulative figure of Rs. 2146.94 crores from 30 releases.

The newer lot of actors, interestingly, are far behind Ranbir Kapoor in terms of popularity and box-office record. Hence, is it fair to say that Ranbir Kapoor is leaps and bounds ahead of his contemporaries?

We asked trade experts to comment. Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar said, “Ranbir Kapoor is a special talent. The world knew it from his debut film, Saawariya. He was inconsistent in his choice of films. In my opinion, he tasted superstardom with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. That film was released on a non-holiday and managed to collect close to Rs. 180 crores. It speaks volumes about an actor to achieve this feat in his sixth year as an actor. His next film, Besharam (2013), also opened at Rs. 20-21 crores. Hence, he was already a star then.”

Vishek Chauhan added, “A lot of people might not agree but Barfi (2012) spoiled things for him. It took him on a different tangent. Had he stayed on the commercial tangent, he would have tasted this kind of success much earlier. He deserves every bit of it. He should be doing more of such films. Post-Covid, his choice of films has become more universal. They have become palatable to the common man. Even with Shamshera (2022), the intent was to make a commercially pleasing flick. He wants to play larger-than-life characters, which is very endearing be it Shamshera or Brahmastra or Animal. Even with Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (2023), he carried the film on his shoulders.” The exhibitor said that he didn’t quite enjoy the film and added, “Had it starred Ranveer Singh instead of Ranbir, the film would not have even collected Rs. 50 crores.”

Trade guru Komal Nahta said, “100% he’s ahead by leaps and bounds because he has now got mass patronage. Earlier, youngsters loved him. Now, the masses have embraced him with open arms and they’ll not let go of him. He has got a new fan following of unimaginable proportions because of Animal.”

Raj Bansal, the owner of Entertainment Paradise in Jaipur, stated, “He’s the next superstar of Indian cinema. I always used to feel that agar Ranbir ko lambi race ka ghoda banna hai, then he should do action films. He was never convinced about it. He did action for the first time and look at the result.”

He continued, “I put him at par with Hrithik Roshan. But he has gone ahead of Hrithik. Hrithik has done 5-6 action films. Animal is perhaps Ranbir’s first action film and this is how it has performed. If he does 5-6 more action films, toh pata nahin yeh kahan se kahan nikal jaayega.”

Vishek Chauhan also stated on the same lines, “For the first time in his life, he has done this kind of action. And look how the masses have lapped it up. It shows that this man can do anything. He was just holding himself back. Isse better action Hindi cinema mein koi kya hi karega!”

Vishek also remarked, “Usually, actors begin their careers with commercial films, make their brand and then do unconventional films. With Ranbir, the process was in reverse. He proved his mettle as an actor and now he’s doing commercial films.”

He excitedly said, “It is so heartwarming to see a young actor rubbing shoulders with the big guns. You can add him to the league of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan.”

Kiritbhai T Vaghasia, who runs The Friday Cinema multiplex in Surat, revealed that Ranbir Kapoor has an insane fan following among the people in his region, “Brahmastra worked big time. Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar was a surprise. I ran that film for many weeks. I was surprised to see the audience turning up in huge numbers even on weekdays in the fifth and sixth weeks though it was not a typical family film. And Animal has also stunned us as it’s ‘A’ rated. Yet, it’s doing blockbuster business. In short, his films always do well here.”

What next? Trade experts advise Ranbir Kapoor to continue doing massy films. Vishek Chauhan opined, “I hope he doesn’t go back and sign a film with Imtiaz Ali. If his next film also has action and mass appeal, watch out for its opening! He should be careful that his next 2-3 films should appeal to both classes and the masses. If he takes care of this aspect, Ranbir can rewrite history!”

Raj Bansal said, “It’s upto him to take the call. He’ll never stick to doing only action films. He’ll keep experimenting like he’s been doing in the past. And that’s okay. If he does 1 or 2 action films out of 5, it’s fine. He has shown his range. If you get him the right script, he’ll deliver”

Komal Nahta agreed, “He should sign a couple of more such films.” He has high hopes for Animal’s sequel, Animal Park, “I can’t even imagine the earthquake Animal Park will cause. It will be huge.”

[freenewstoday]

New Post has been published on https://freenews.today/2021/01/31/indias-cinemas-get-greenlight-to-go-back-to-100-capacity-as-bollywood-reels-from-covid-19-restrictions/

India’s cinemas get greenlight to go back to 100% capacity as Bollywood reels from Covid-19 restrictions

New Delhi has allowed cinemas and theaters all over the country, except for Covid-19 containment zones, to increase seating from 50 percent to full capacity in a move welcomed by the battered movie industry.

The new guidelines, released by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday, pertain to “cinemas, theaters and multiplexes,” allowing them to operate at full capacity from Monday provided they abide by a set of rules aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.

These include physical distancing of “at least 6 feet” outside of cinema halls, common areas or waiting rooms. Visitors and staff must wear face coverings or masks “at all times,” as well as following basic hygiene rules such as covering their mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing and avoid spitting.

Theaters must continue to follow the precautionary measures already in place, such as having sanitizers readily available to guests, preventing overcrowding, and ensuring the auditoriums are sufficiently ventilated.  

The newly-released regulations also roll back restrictions that ravaged Bollywood, with the spate of suicides of actors over the past year sending shockwaves across the nation.

Movie production resumed in the fall with stringent social-distancing rules in place, but although they were allowed to reopen in October, cinemas and theaters had to operate at 50-percent capacity.

Industry professionals rejoiced over the development. The Producers Guild of India described the move as “an important step” in Bollywood’s “recovery” from the coronavirus-induced downfall.

Film exhibitor Vishek Chauhan celebrated the news as “another step towards normalcy.”

“We were down… We saw our obituaries written,” he said, apparently referring to the series of tragic deaths in Bollywood amid the pandemic.

Good news. Back to 100% capacity for cinemas soon. Contrary to perception, I don’t believe the theatrical medium will ever pass away in #India. Time for OTT and cinemas to co-exist peacefully.

— TANUJJ GARG (@tanuj_garg) January 31, 2021

While New Delhi formally removed the seating cap, it left it to the states to decide whether they are ready to ease the restrictions, noting that “states/union territories may consider proposing additional measures as per their field assessment.”

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[playermagic23]

Despite the Jigra hitch, trade experts support Alia Bhatt's STARDOM: "A Speed Breaker, Not a Stop Sign!"

Alia Bhatt is one of the few actresses who have a successful track record. Her last flop, Kalank (2019), was released more than 5 years ago, prior to the epidemic. Everything was going smoothly until Jigra appeared and harmed her box office position. However, trade experts are confident that Alia Bhatt's track record is entirely safe.

Taran Adarsh, a trade veteran, said, "Whatever Jigra has collected is because of Alia Bhatt."

Vishek Chauhan, the owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, stated, "I don't believe it impacts her. It has an impact on the filmmakers. It raises questions about their sensibility. People like her, and the audience never criticizes the performer. Otherwise, Sunny Deol's Gadar 2 (2023) would not have made Rs. 500 crores, and Shah Rukh Khan would not have followed up with two blockbusters. Similarly, if Alia comes with a great entertainer after 8-9 months, nobody can stop it from becoming a blockbuster.”

Amit Sharma, Managing Director of Miraj Entertainment Limited, remarked, "The film is good, yet there are instances when artists create experimental cinema. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. However, it has no bearing on Alia Bhatt's career as an actor.

Kiritbhai T Vaghasia, who manages The Friday Cinema multiplex in Surat, is similarly confident that Alia Bhatt would continue to be a big draw based on previous experiences. "All the earlier Alia Bhatt films like Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), Brahmastra (2022) and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) were super-hits in my theatre," he informed me.

Taran Adarsh exclaimed, "I think she is quite good in the film. She's an excellent actor. But the material must deliver. "What can an actor do after a point?"

He added, "Alia is not reliant on this picture. She has Alpha with Yash Raj, as well as Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love And War, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. I am sure she will have more ventures.

Atul Mohan, a trade analyst, believes Jigra's lifetime earnings will be about Rs. 25 crores and disagrees with the others, adding, "It does affect when an actor's solo lead film does not perform well."

However, he insisted that the widespread trolling for Alia on social media is unimportant. "Social media negativity doesn't affect at all," he told me. "Many of the tweets may possibly be generated by bots. Some of those tweeting are fokats who won't even have the 'jigra' to pay to see the movie! Many of them are anonymous, meaning they have no name or face. As a result, one should never allow so-called trolling to disrupt their personal lives. The expression goes, 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas'. Similarly, what happens on social media should remain on social media!”

Taran Adarsh signed off by saying, “Jigra is like a speed breaker for Alia Bhatt but the journey ahead will continue to be smooth.”

[bolllywoodhungama]

The Shah Rukh Khan film Jawan is a big hit in Tamil Nadu, where it is predicted to be the biggest Hindi film ever.

While most Bollywood actors choose remakes of South Indian films, Shah Rukh Khan made an exception. For Jawan, he hired a director from the Tamil film business, Atlee. Actors like as Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi, who are well-known in the South, have also joined the cast. In the Tamil market, Atlee is also a rising celebrity. As a result, Jawan has sparked a historic frenzy not only in Hindi-speaking areas but also in Tamil Nadu. This is evidenced by the fact that advance booking has opened to a brisk response.

"The advance booking is very good," said Ruban Mathivanan of GK Cinemas in Chennai. It's viewed as a Tamil film in this country. If the material is successful, Jawan will be unstoppable in Tamil Nadu. It could turn into another RRR or KGF."

"Jawan can emerge as the biggest Hindi film," he acknowledged, adding, "the buzz picked up after the event in Chennai and after the trailer was released." On August 30, the film's pre-release ceremony was held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu's capital. This much-anticipated event will take held at Chennai's Sri Sairam Engineering College, according to Bollywood Hungama.

Furthermore, Jawan will face no objection from local Tamil releases. "Some small films are releasing on September 8," Ruban Mathivanan added. It will not compete with Jawan." "The makers are targeting a huge number down South," said Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar. As you can see, Jawan is a Tamil film starring a North star. The director and key actors come from the South. I wouldn't be astonished if it grosses Rs. 10 crores on the first day in Tamil."

Jawan also stars Sanya Malhotra, Sunil Grover, Ridhi Dogra, and Yogi Babu in addition to Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, and Vijay Sethupathi.

Jawan is predicted to perform well in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. On Friday, September 1, Venkat Prasad, Senior Manager of Programming at Hyderabad's famed theatre, Prasads, was all grins as he informed us, "The advance is tremendous." We opened booking for a very restricted number of concerts. And all eight shows were sold out in record time."

"The advance booking is more than any Hindi film and also quite fast," he added. "Even the weekend shows are quickly filling," he noted. We'll gradually increase the number of shows now."