The math is still being worked out. Reliance Big Pictures claims that Raavan's opening day collections worked out to Rs. 20 crore. Naysayers shrug it off as inflated figures. Twenty crores or not, it's no news that Raavan fell short of expectations, with the Tamil version Raavanan faring better. Just week ago the industry saw another cold turkey called Kites .
The balm to the trade is Rajneeti , Prakash Jha's modern-day take on the Mahabharata. It has earned more than 50 crore and is still running to packed houses. Now, the trade figures may not mean anything ( Kites , branded a disaster, earned more than Rs. 30 crore in its first week) unless one factors in the costs incurred. By that standard, this year, Rajneeti and Housefull are the only true blue hits. My Name is Khan got in the moolah but not enough to make distributors and exhibitors smile. There were other multiplex-friendly, smaller films that fared well — Ishqiya, Athidi Tum Kab Jaoge and Karthik Calling Karthik .
In the next three months, Bollywood's hopes lie on some of its small and medium budget films. Here's a sneak peek at some of them:
I Hate Luv Storys: We're seeing enough promos and know that Sonam Kapoor loves Bollywood mush while Imran loathes them. This Punit Malhotra-directed and Karan Johar-produced movie is hot among trade pundits. Imraan would hope it recreates the magic of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Sonam would count on it for her first hit. We hope the film isn't inspired by the Hollywood flick I Hate Valentine's Day.
Long awaited: July will also see the long-in-the-making Milenge Milenge , with Shahid and Kareena, seeing the light of the day. Multiplex moviegoers can expect some serious food for thought from Anant Mahadevan's Red Alert , which has won a host of awards for the film and Suniel Shetty at international film festivals. As the title suggests, the film is a fresh take on Maoists.
Tere Bin Laden: Produced by Manmohan Shetty's daughters Pooja Shetty and Aarti Shetty's production house Walkwater Films, Tere Bin Laden shows the ramifications when a journalist uses an Osama look alike to produce Osama-like video tapes.
Once Upon a Time in Mumbai: Kangna Ranaut proves yet again that she can be a chameleon, slipping effortlessly into different roles. In Milan Luthria's film set in Bombay of 60s and 70s, she sports the bouffant and lives the life of an actress. The film is no retro tamasha like Om Shanti Om , but tells the story of two gangsters — characters said to be inspired by Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim.
Khatta Meetha: Akshay Kumar will return with his favourite director Priyadarshan and Trisha will make her Bollywood debut. Watch Akshay lampoon the political system.
Aisha: In this August release which is an adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma , Sonam Kapoor plays cupid. Paired with her is Abhay Deol, riding high after movies like Dev D and Road .
Paan Singh Tomar : Tigmanshu Dhulia's film starring Irrfan Khan is a hard-hitting sports film that encapsulates the true story —Paan Singh Tomar, the soldier-turned-athlete-turned-dacoit, highlighting the plight of athletes.
Rakta Charitra-1 : Actor Suriya will make his Bollywood debut in September with the first of Ram Gopal Varma's two-part movie. He brings to life the role of Suri, who killed Paritala Ravi, played by Viveik Oberoi.
Anjaana Anjaani: Ranbir Kapoor has emerged a box office favourite. In this Siddharth Anand film, he shares space with Priyanka Chopra. Expect to see them on screens in September.
In October, Karan Johar will present the Indian take on Julia Roberts' Stepmom with We Are Family, starring Kajol and Kareena Kapoor. Finally, Farah Khan will take a bow in December with Tees Maar Khan . The Khan here isn't her regular Shah Rukh but Akshay Kumar with Katrina Kaif.
