Update: The film has opened to good response despite poor reviews. It’s speaks volumes about credibility of Tiger Shroff because there is no one else in the film to rake in Rs 50 crore in two days. The numbers would have been better had it got a wider release. It is riding only and only Tiger Shroff’s goodwill and the action sequences which the audience seems to have loved. It’s good news for the Hindi film industry. Now all eyes on Akshay Kumar’s cop drama Sooryavnshi.
Hindi film industry is staring at what could be worst beginning for them. Already first two months of year 2020 has seen many big films expected to rake in the moolah not living upto the expectations. March has two big films lined up for release – the third installment of Tiger Shroff action franchise Baaghi and Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi starring Akshay Kumar. But the spread of coronavirus in India just before the release of Baaghi and days after the March 24 release of Sooryavanshi trailer is not the news Hindi film industry would be happy with.
Of all the films released in first two months of 2020 only Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior has got a nod from the audience and has managed to collect Rs 278 crore so far. None of the other films have been anywhere close to Rs 100 crore figure. Deepika Padukone’s Chhapak managed Rs 34 crore, Varun Dhawan’s Street Dancer 3D collected Rs 68 crore, Kangana Ranaut’s Panga made Rs 28.92 crore.
Saif Ali Khan and Aliya F’s Jawaani Jaaneman was the surprise hit collecting Rs 28.76 crore. Aditya Roy Kapur-Disha Patni’s Malang collected Rs 58 crore while Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal did not win hearts of the people and collected Rs 34.8 crore. Even the box office favourite child these days, Ayushman Khurrana failed to get the same love for his Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and the film on gay romance has so far collected Rs 57 crore.
| MOVIES | Box Office Collection |
| Chhapaak | 34.08 |
| Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior | 278.47 |
| Street Dancer 3D | 68.28 |
| Panga | 28.92 |
| Jawaani Jaaneman | 28.76 |
| Malang | 58.09 |
| Love Aaj Kal | 34.8 |
| Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan | 56.98 |
| Thappad (Till March 3) | 19.13 |
(Figures in crore. Source: Bollywood Hungama)
Taapsi Pannu starer Thappad though loved by critics has got a rather lukeworm response with Rs 19 crore collection in first five days. The numbers will not improve, if the initial collection is anything to go by.
Cut to 2019 when three films managed to strike gold in the first two months. Uri – The Surgical Strike managed life time collection of Rs 245 crore while February releases Gully Boy and Total Dhamaal crossed the Rs 100 crore mark and collected Rs 140 and Rs 154 respectively. Two more films collected Rs 90-plus crore – Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi released on January 25 collected Rs 92.19 crore and Luka Chuppi, released on March 1 collected Rs 94.75 crore.
| MOVIES (2019) | Box Office Collection |
| Uri – The Surgical Strike | 245.36 |
| Manikarnika – The Queen Of Jhansi | 92.19 |
| Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga | 20.28 |
| Gully Boy | 140.25 |
| Total Dhamaal | 154.23 |
| Luka Chuppi | 94.75 |
(Figures in crore. Source: Bollywood Hungama)
Sandiwched between the two big releases is the Irrfan Khan starrer English Medium. Unlike the two biggies which are driving high on action and low on everything else, this sequel to Hindi Medium promises to be a content and performance heavy film. With Irrfan Khan still undergoing treatment for cancer, the film is eagerly awaited by his fans.
A look at first two months of 2020 indicate which way the wind is blowing. The spread of cornonavirus has already resulted in people staying away from group activities like Holi celebration and the same would apply to watching movie in a theatre. Its too early to predict hot it hits the Hindi film industry and Indian film industry in general but it definitely would impact the collection of big movies lined up for release.
Diary Of A Journalist 