Q. The budget of Bajirao Mastani is more than Dilwale so has it actually made more money than Dilwale as it is being reported?
Ans. The budget is only lower as Shahrukh Khan is producer so figures going around do not include his remuneration. The recovery of Dilwale is also higher as it has much higher returns through Satellite and Overseas. The recovery will go close to 200 crore while Bajirao Mastani will be 30-35 crore less but that was on the cards as Shahrukh Khan is a superstar. The win is that it has stood up to Dilwale and emerged stronger in India. Recovery for such a huge budget for Bajirao Mastani against a film like Dilwale is a big achievement.
M. Agha
Q. Which film has more footfalls out of the Diwali releases Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and Happy New Year?
Ans. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo as it put a big number in single screens despite having higher ticket rates at the main multiplex chains over its first weekend.
Alok Khanna
Q. The awards season has started but why are they so fake as earlier deserving films like Ardh Satya or Arth and deserving actors like Nasserudin Shah used to get awards but today every film and non actor gets an award?
Ans. Those awards were behind closed doors so at that time awards were given to work which was hardly watched and you can do that today also but the people giving awards also want a financial return and for that you need big stars. Even today in terms of commerce they are not getting it right as ratings of these shows are not strong. The audience watches for the performances and comedy but have no trust in the awards. Last year you had Shahid Kapoor winning awards with Haider which is laughable for the audience when PK was there. Its another matter that Aamir Khan does not accept but not everyone knows that. The awards that provides best entertainment and the ones which the audience finds are making correct judgement will eventually get the best ratings. The days you mentioned are over, you still see films that no one knows about getting awards and in time this can also stop. You can't make something for a mass medium like television and then cater to a small minority.
P. Banerjee
Q. Can Airlift be that big grosser for Akshay Kumar as big 26 Jan holiday and it has great response to its trailer on social media?
Ans. Baby also had that holiday last year and could not do much. The film's only plus seems Akshay Kumar and in today's time even the biggest stars need support be it from production values, content or music. The makers also seem a weird lot as the promos shout from the makers of Baby and D Day, Baby is possibly acceptable but D Day was a huge dud in theatres and then more importantly on television so why do things which harm more rather than help. It could even be that the film loses the opening clash to Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 as that film has a targeted audience and its very unlikely that Akshay Kumar fans are going to come out for Airlift in numbers initially making it depend in word of mouth..
V. Sood
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