YEAR-END DHAMAKA AT THE BOX OFFICE?

With big releases lined up in the last quarter of 2015, trade experts have high expectations from Bollywood

This year, so far, Bollywood has witnessed more flops than hits. But, as we enter the last quarter of 2015, film trade experts are hopeful. “All is not lost,” says Taran Adarsh, trade analyst, adding, “We have two big festivals coming up — Diwali and Christmas.”

According to industry insiders, the upcoming festive period is expected to make up for all the duds that Bollywood has delivered in the last nine months. After all, the biggest stars are all set to hit the big screen. The films that will release this year include Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor), Dilwale (Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol), Bajirao Mastani (Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra), Tamasha (Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika) and Shandaar (Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt).

Also, exhibitor Akshaye Rathi reveals that even though the year didn’t start on an overtly enthusiastic note, there were a few big surprises in store for everyone, in the form of Baby, Badlapur and Dum Laga Ke Haisha. Things, however, changed for the better post May. “The industry picked up, and a good bunch of films — Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bahubali, Drishyam and Tanu Weds Manu Returns (TWMR) — raked in the moolah. “The last quarter of the year will possibly earn the highest amount for the film industry,” says Rathi.

Meanwhile, industry experts also feel that even when it comes to the content, things have changed for the better. “Compared to last year, the quality of our content has improved. For example, Bahubali, for me, was a game changer. Usually, we toss around only five-six stories. But things are changing… like Talvar has been doing very well,” says Adarsh.

L to R: Stills from Phantom, Singh is Bliing and Piku; Stills from Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (top) and Bajirao Mastani (above) are set to release