The Bollywood sparklers are once again out to woo the masses
Come Diwali and Bollywood makers and stars are all spruced up in the festive fervour to usher in the auspicious festival. For filmmakers, it is the time to reap rich dividends at the box-office, one of the reasons why most mega-budget releases are planned well-in- advance to coincide with Diwali and this year is no exception.
Noted actor Ajay Devgn (yes the same Devgan has recently changed the spelling of his surname for astrological reasons) who has timed the release of his ‘All The Best’ on the eve of Diwali is quite elated with the advance booking for his film and the curiosity it has generated in the market. “My films ‘Golmaal Returns’ (2008) and now ‘All The Best’ (2009) have both been specifically timed in keeping with the Diwali festival and both have proved to be predictable money-spinners at the box-office. All I can say is that apart from the fact that these movies are well-directed, star-studded laugh-riot packages offering super value for money, they have also been blessed by Laxmi-devi, the goddess of beneficence. I am convinced that Diwali is a mascot catalyst in showbiz for most film-makers,” asserts Ajay, as he fondly cuddles his young daughter Nysa.
The cine-trade savvy Devgn is right because several all-time blockbusters in Bollywood history including ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge’ and ‘Raja Hindustani’ were both released during Diwali. Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan, whose super-hit home-production ‘Om Shanti Om’ was released not so long ago during Diwali, has his analysis. “Diwali is the best period to time the release of a big film. That is because there is a fun-filled mood of merriment in the air. Also, most schools and colleges in India have their vacations and students are game to rush to their favorite theatres to catch up with the latest Hindi movies.
Most of the time, the parents and adult siblings too tag along with the kids and have a whale of a time splashing themselves in the pool of new movies. There is a spirit of uninhibited spending for cool ‘big screen’ entertainment. Of course, it is essential that any movie has to be exciting and engrossing enough to deserve the patronage of discerning audiences. Otherwise there are several examples of well-hyped movies directed by top-ranking directors (‘Saawariya’ for instance) which have also released during the ‘de-lightful festival of crackers’ but proved to be damp squibs at the box-office,” quips the dimpled Khan.
By the time, you are reading this, three big-budget films will have released during the Diwali weekend. The list comprises the Ajay Devgan-Bipasha Basu starrer, 'All the Best', Akshay Kumar's 'Blue' and Salman Khan's 'Main Aurr Mrs Khanna'. With hushed anxiety, the Bollywood industry is keeping its fingers crossed with loads of optimism, that the Diwali Dhamaka, will salvage the huge financial losses due to IPL cricket match series and film-producers' strike earlier this year. Since January 2009, the cine-industry has hardly had half-a-dozen super-hits, what with most mega multi-starrers shockingly biting the disaster-dust.
Meanwhile top-ranking pop and playback singer Anushka Manchanda, (she sang the ‘Golmaal’ chartbuster title-song’) who won the reality TV show coveted title ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ (the Indian version of ‘Fear Factor’) is going euphoric about Diwali. “I took time off for some serious spring cleaning and we have a proper puja ceremony to welcome the divine powers. My house gets lit up with flickering little ‘diyas’. A full-on power Diwali party with food, beverages and cards-playing is always on my agenda,” she shrugs.
The affable producer-actor Anil Kapoor (of Oscar-winner ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ fame) who celebrates Diwali with great gusto with his family including endearing actress-daughter Sonam Kapoor has the last word. “Lets all make Diwali a safe festival. We shall usher in the jubilant moments this time because we have finally struck it ‘big’ at the Oscars, which had always been beyond the dreams of Indians. Jai Ho!” he exclaims with his stubbled-cheeks smile.
Come Diwali and Bollywood makers and stars are all spruced up in the festive fervour to usher in the auspicious festival. For filmmakers, it is the time to reap rich dividends at the box-office, one of the reasons why most mega-budget releases are planned well-in- advance to coincide with Diwali...
Come Diwali and Bollywood makers and stars are all spruced up in the festive fervour to usher in the auspicious festival. For filmmakers, it is the time to reap rich dividends at the box-office, one of the reasons why most mega-budget releases are planned well-in- advance to coincide with Diwali and this year is no exception.
Noted actor Ajay Devgn (yes the same Devgan has recently changed the spelling of his surname for astrological reasons) who has timed the release of his ‘All The Best’ on the eve of Diwali is quite elated with the advance booking for his film and the curiosity it has generated in the market. “My films ‘Golmaal Returns’ (2008) and now ‘All The Best’ (2009) have both been specifically timed in keeping with the Diwali festival and both have proved to be predictable money-spinners at the box-office. All I can say is that apart from the fact that these movies are well-directed, star-studded laugh-riot packages offering super value for money, they have also been blessed by Laxmi-devi, the goddess of beneficence. I am convinced that Diwali is a mascot catalyst in showbiz for most film-makers,” asserts Ajay, as he fondly cuddles his young daughter Nysa.
The cine-trade savvy Devgn is right because several all-time blockbusters in Bollywood history including ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge’ and ‘Raja Hindustani’ were both released during Diwali. Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan, whose super-hit home-production ‘Om Shanti Om’ was released not so long ago during Diwali, has his analysis. “Diwali is the best period to time the release of a big film. That is because there is a fun-filled mood of merriment in the air. Also, most schools and colleges in India have their vacations and students are game to rush to their favorite theatres to catch up with the latest Hindi movies.
Most of the time, the parents and adult siblings too tag along with the kids and have a whale of a time splashing themselves in the pool of new movies. There is a spirit of uninhibited spending for cool ‘big screen’ entertainment. Of course, it is essential that any movie has to be exciting and engrossing enough to deserve the patronage of discerning audiences. Otherwise there are several examples of well-hyped movies directed by top-ranking directors (‘Saawariya’ for instance) which have also released during the ‘de-lightful festival of crackers’ but proved to be damp squibs at the box-office,” quips the dimpled Khan.
By the time, you are reading this, three big-budget films will have released during the Diwali weekend. The list comprises the Ajay Devgan-Bipasha Basu starrer, 'All the Best', Akshay Kumar's 'Blue' and Salman Khan's 'Main Aurr Mrs Khanna'. With hushed anxiety, the Bollywood industry is keeping its fingers crossed with loads of optimism, that the Diwali Dhamaka, will salvage the huge financial losses due to IPL cricket match series and film-producers' strike earlier this year. Since January 2009, the cine-industry has hardly had half-a-dozen super-hits, what with most mega multi-starrers shockingly biting the disaster-dust.
Meanwhile top-ranking pop and playback singer Anushka Manchanda, (she sang the ‘Golmaal’ chartbuster title-song’) who won the reality TV show coveted title ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ (the Indian version of ‘Fear Factor’) is going euphoric about Diwali. “I took time off for some serious spring cleaning and we have a proper puja ceremony to welcome the divine powers. My house gets lit up with flickering little ‘diyas’. A full-on power Diwali party with food, beverages and cards-playing is always on my agenda,” she shrugs.
The affable producer-actor Anil Kapoor (of Oscar-winner ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ fame) who celebrates Diwali with great gusto with his family including endearing actress-daughter Sonam Kapoor has the last word. “Lets all make Diwali a safe festival. We shall usher in the jubilant moments this time because we have finally struck it ‘big’ at the Oscars, which had always been beyond the dreams of Indians. Jai Ho!” he exclaims with his stubbled-cheeks smile.
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