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IT’S CRICKET WORLD CUP VS MOVIES
Experts give us their take on whether or not it is a good idea for filmmakers to release their films during the biggest event of the cricket world
One thing that you can’t expect a majority of Indians to do is choose between cricket and Bollywood — both enjoy equal fan base. And as the ICC World Cup fever readies to take over, starting May 30, filmmakers might be in a dilemma as to whether it’s the right time to release their films or not. However, going by the calendar, there are quite a few big-ticket films slated to release during the World Cup period that will continue till July 15.
Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif’s Bharat, Shahid Kapoor’s Kabir Singh, Ayushmann Khurrana’s Article 15, Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra’s Jabariya Jodi and Sushant Singh Rajput and Jacqueline Fernandez’s Drive are a few of them. However, The Zoya Factor that was to release in June has now been pushed to September. Yet, the big question remains: will their business get affected by the cricket fever or not?
Trade analyst Joginder Tuteja predicts “at least 10-20% hit in the business”, especially on the day when India is playing the match. “Since the matches are in England either at 3pm or 6pm IST, it may affect the prime time shows in theatres,” he elaborates.
Additionally, trade expert Taran Adarsh points out that business is likely to get impacted the most on the days
n India is playing. “So, films like Khamoshi (releasing on May 31), Kabir Singh, 99 Songs (both releasing on June 21), Drive, Article 15 (both releasing on June 28) won’t see much of a footfall in theatres. But, if India reaches the semi-finals and finals (which will be played on July 9 and 14 respectively), it might have a high impact, especially on Jabariya Jodi, which is releasing on July 12,” explains Adarsh, adding that “entertainment can coexist with cricket”.
IT’S NOT A CLASH
Anubhav Sinha, director of Article 15, refrains from using the term “clash” for films releasing during World Cup. “This is a movie, and that’s a match,” he says, adding, “I believe in the film and its audience. They have enough bandwidth for both. There are distractions every week, but a good film sails through.” Jabariya Jodi director Prashant Singh agrees with the viewpoint and calls it a “double treat” for the audience. But to pull in a lot of moviegoers to the theatre, Prashant shares, “We’re planning an extensive, atypical promotional campaign for the film. Audiences are receptive to fresh and entertaining content and we hope Jabariya Jodi will strike that connect, gain positive word of mouth resulting in greater footfalls. Also, in the past years, we have seen that content-driven films have stood their ground be it during World Cup or IPL.” Amidst all this, Bharat seems to be the first and only film that will face the maximum impact as it releases on June 5 — the same day when India will play their first match against South Africa.
BIG EVENTS DO AFFECT THE MOVIE BUSINESS
Bhushan Kumar, producer of Bharat, admits that a large number of audiences would get split between movie and cricket. “There will be an impact. Cricket does disturb the film business, especially big events like the World Cup. The IPL final on Sunday affected the business of movies running in theatres that weekend. But with Bharat, I hope we can take advantage of it being a Salman Khan-starrer and an Eid release.”
On a different note, Bharat’s director Ali Abbas Zafar feels, “Since its summer holidays and days are longer, the impact wouldn’t be much because if the audience can’t watch the movie on the first day, they can go on the second or third day.” As far as the general perception of TV is concerned, it is considered stepchild/ sibling of the film industry. The TV industry is booming and many film actors, including Amitabh Bachchanji have found success on it. The fact is a lot of TV actors are popular than film actors and I personally would rather do good television than films.
TV star Hina Khan walked the red carpet at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival for the first time and impressed many with her sartorial choices and attitude. While she made headlines for her gorgeous outfit, she was also in the news for an unpleasant comment made by a media personality on nstagram. In a freewheeling hat, the actor, who launched he poster of her first feature lm, Lines, at the festival, alks about moving on, being verwhelmed with the love he received and her xperience at Cannes.
What were you expecting from our debut visit at Cannes?
didn’t know what to expect. I m not a Bollywood celebrity; I m a TV celeb, so I was ervous and didn’t know if eople would even cknowledge me. I have been verwhelmed with the eactions. I have cried seeing l the love and support I got. hank you everyone. I know I ave to work even harder now.
ell us about your experience of alking the red carpet?
was nervous as I was at annes for a feature film and eople look up to me as a style on, so I kept wondering, ‘will be able to do it properly? Am I hoosing the right outfit?’ But e were preparing for Cannes nce a while. I got a great esponse from International esigners, who wanted me to ear their creations. I have more outfits than events to ear them at (laughs). At annes, I got the right piece of dvice that other than the mous Hollywood celebs, the nternational photographers on’t know most celebrities om other countries, so they ok for celebrities who resent themselves well and ave the right attitude. So, if hey like you, they will keep icking your photo. I thank he almighty that they loved me.
ther than appreciation and aise from peers and fans alike, ere was a unpleasant remark om a media personality, which aused uproar amongst the TV aternity. What was your action?
did feel disheartened to hear omething like that. Why ould someone look down pon TV? Give us the pportunity and we will shine. you can’t say anything good, on’t say this either. I have orked hard to be where I am. know how I managed to shoot he film and my TV show. But, can never play a victim as I ave confidence in myself and will prove my worth with me, with God’s grace. And I m grateful that so many eople stood by me.