It seems to be a fad nowadays to book the festival period with Bollywood movies. Earlier films used to be made and released when they were ready.
But with changing times, the expectancy of big Bollywood releases and the kind of investments made, there is a pressure to first deliver during the release weekend after which many films taper, as was scene in the case of the latest release Thugs of Hindostan, which made sure it released big, because perhaps even the makers had an idea of how it would taper rather quickly.
“Films are like parachutes, if they do not open well, you are dead,” is producer Mukesh Bhatt’s refrain.
So, in 2019, we have Thackeray releasing on right wing leader Bal Thackeray’s birthday which comes two days before Republic Day 2019. Cheat India, Manikarnika and Super 30 also come on the same date cashing in on the Republic Day fervour.
The next big holiday is on Holi and Karan Johar and Akhsya Kumar’s film Kesari will come on that day. The film also stars Parineeti Chopra.
Another big Friday is Good Friday and the Easter weekend which will see the release of the film Kalank which is packed with many stars including Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Madhuri Dixit and produced by Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala.
Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer Bharat shepherded by Ali Abbas Zafar will occupy the slot of Eid that is usually kept reserved for Salman Khan.
Independence Day has now been clocked by John Abraham’s Batla House and Akshay Kumar’s Mission Mangal which repeats a clash of 2018 on the same day between as Gold and Satyamev Jayate.
Diwali will see another Akshay Kumar film Housefull 4 bankrolled by Sajid Nadiadwala, releasing as per schedule even though most of the film has been shot and is ready.
Yet another Karan Johar film Brahmastra has been slotted for release on Christmas next year. The film has Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan toplining the cast.
“Some festivals and some weekends have a few holidays. So, filmmakers do not want to let go of the opportunity to draw in larger crowds during those days. If you notice, most of these films have been produced by leading Bollywood producers Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala who understand what festivals and holiday weekend means to audiences who rush in to celebrate their stars. Bollywood films are not just movie releases. They are celebrations of movies and their favourite stars by the audience,” says Atul Mohan, Editor, Complete Cinema.
— Sanskriti Media
