MUMBAI
Indian film industry is gearing up for a slew of new releases over the Hindu festival of Diwali, with expectations high that they will provide some cheer after a lackluster year at the box office.
At least 10 big films are due to hit the screens in the coming weeks, with hopes of success pinned on the comedy “Golmaal 3” and the time-travel romance “Action Replayy” that will be released on Diwali itself on November 5.
Like the Christmas period for Hollywood, Diwali has traditionally been seen as a money-spinner for India’s Hindi-language film industry, as studios look to attract the holiday crowd with well-trailed movies featuring big stars.
Industry gurus estimate that Bollywood could make four billion rupees (90 million dollars) by the end of the year. “The year has not been so good,” said leading analyst Amod Mehra.
“The success ratio has been very low. The worst period for the industry was in May and June when two films, ‘Kites’ and ‘Raavan’ bombed badly. The loss from these two films was two billion rupees and it was a huge blow. A ray of hope has been provided by two films, ‘Dabaang’ and ‘Robot’. Things are looking very promising this festive season.”
“Dabaang”, starring Salman Khan, grossed 10.8 million dollars during its opening weekend last month, surpassing the record of Aamir Khan’s hit “3 Idiots”, which took nine million dollars earlier this year.
The sci-fi fantasy adventure “Robot”, made in three languages and starring the South Indian film legend Rajinikanth, opened two weeks ago and took more than double to that, according to industry figures.
Trailers for “Golmaal 3” have been well received, amid hopes it can repeat the success of previous editions of the comic capers of a group of young friends.
“Expectations are huge from ‘Golmaal 3’,” said critic Komal Nahta. “It’s a sure shot winner. It’s the same with ‘Action Replayy’.”
“Golmaal 3” stars Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor with a return to the screens for veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, “the Indian James Bond”, whose spy films from the 1980s have become cult hits.
“Action Replayy” sees Akshay Kumar go back in time to the 1970s to try to save his parents’ ailing marriage. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan — fresh from her success alongside Rajinikanth in “Robot” — also stars, with a supporting cast of huge flares, wing collars and platform shoes.
A successful Diwali would raise spirits in Bollywood, which was hit last year by a producers’ boycott of multiplex cinemas, swine flu fears and a string of big budget failures. The economic downturn also affected overseas takings.
