New Delhi (Sandeep Sharma):
Theatres across India, which have suffered enormous losses ever since the enforcement of unprecedented lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 in March 2020, are now pinning high hopes on the spate of upcoming Bollywood films lined up from October-end in order to revive their fortunes.
The restrictions imposed over the last one-and-a-half years have adversely impacted the livelihood of many, and people working within the cinema industry are just a few amongst them. However, as the COVID-19 cases continue to witness a downward trend in the country and theatre chains are opening up in different states, industry experts are hopeful that the prestigious Rs 100 crore might witness new entrants soon.
After it was announced that theatres in Maharashtra will open from October 22, producers and big banners didn’t waste much time in announcing release dates of their much-awaited films. “It is all smiles and we are all happy that theatres and multiplexes are opening up. In fact, it is a history that within 24 hours, dates of 20 movies are out,” Alok Tandon, CEO, INOX theatres told India Today.
To start off with, Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif-starrer “Sooryavanshi”, which has been delayed since April last year, is finally expected to see the light of day this Diwali. Not to say, expectations from the film are big considering director Rohit Shetty’s hit formula at the box office.
Following that will be YRF’s “Bunty Aur Babli 2” – a sequel to the 2005 hit film of the same name. Slated to hit screens on November 19, the film will feature Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, Siddhant Chaturvedi and debutante Sharvari Wagh. The month of December will witness Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone starrer “83” and Shahid Kapoor’s “Jersey” bringing cricket to cinemas. Set for Christmas, “83”, directed by Kabir Khan, recreates India’s historic 1983 World Cup win. Meanwhile, the latter is a remake of the 2019 Telugu film of the same name.
“These announcements that were due for long, with producers waiting for Maharashtra to come on board, have provided a lot of confidence to exhibitors and cinema owners, especially in the north, as they have enough content to play till Eid next year,” a Bihar-based exhibitor earlier told Livemint.
Not just 2021, the slate for 2022 looks equally impressive starting with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Gangubai Kathiawadi”, having Alia Bhatt in the lead. Interestingly, the film releasing on January 6 will clash with another movie featuring Alia – SS Rajamouli’s period action drama “RRR”. This high on-budget film will have NT Rama Rao Jr and Ram Charan in the lead and is expected to release on January 7. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh has called it the “biggest clash”.
Southern superstar Prabhas is also returning to the silver screen with “Radhe Shyam”, which is slated for January 14. Apart from this, Akshay Kumar and Manushi Chhillar’s “Prithviraj” is set for January 21, Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor’s “Laal Singh Chaddha” for Valentine’s Day, “Jayeshbhai Jordaar” featuring Ranveer Singh on February 25, Akshay Kumar’s “Bachchan Pandey” for March 4 and Ranbir Kapoor’s “Shamshera” for March 18.
“K.G.F Chapter 2”, having southern star Yash and Sanjay Dutt in lead, is another highly anticipated movie, which is expected to hit screens on April 14.
Taran Adarsh earlier said in a tweet that the filmmakers’ decision to wait for theatres to open to release their movies instead of the OTT platforms “shows their willpower to hold on against all odds”.
To be honest, it’s been a long time since we last heard a Bollywood movie-going Housefull in theatres and getting a large number of footfalls. Notwithstanding that, expectations of theatre chains – single screen or multiplexes – are high from these big-budgeted films in the times to come.
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