Talaash Box Office Expectations

Part 2 of the weekly special ‘Ask Joginder’. Film critic and trade analyst Joginder Tuteja answers 5 more questions from Indicine readers.

What are the expectations from Aamir Khan’s ‘Talaash’? Will it break few records here and there? Is it possible for ‘Talaash’ to cross 150 crores mark? – Jan

• From the content perspective, there are very good expectations from ‘Talaash’ since the storyline looks intriguing. There is good audience awareness as well that will make it the most talked film around its release. It would be seen with a keen interest as well. However from audience footfalls, neither is the film looking at breaking any records nor is it’s marketing on those lines. 150 crores would be a stretch for the film due to its genre.

Will ‘Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola’ be a 100 cr grosser? – Rajnish Singh Rajawat

• It is always a question of ‘can’ v/s ‘will’ when it comes to predictions and possibilities. So yes, ‘Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola’ can cross the 100 crore mark. However that would be quite a task since Imran’s biggest grossers (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa) had ended their run in the 60 crores range while Vishal Bhardwaj’s biggest grossers have been ‘Kaminey’ and ‘Omkara’ which were in 40 crores range. With ‘Matru..’, we are hunting for the possibility of Imran taking around 70% jump and Vishal around 125%. The movie has to be really fantastic to allow that.

What do you think about Asin’s position in Bollywood? Do you think directors are not using her talent? Has she signed any film after ‘Khiladi786?’ – Sajith Karanavar

• Asin is doing good for herself in Bollywood and is closing in quickly into the Top 5. Yes, directors are not using her talent to the fullest as she has done some real good work down South. However Asin too is taking the right call by not being very particular about hardcore performance oriented roles and instead keeping it all chugging all well for her by making right choices in picking potential commercial successes. There is no official announcement yet on any newer films of hers.

Many called Emraan Hashmi the next superstar after Hrithik Roshan, especially after ‘Raaz 3’ but his next solo release ‘Rush’ failed miserably at the box office. Not only that, the main expectation from star power i.e. to pull audience was also belied when only 60 lakhs were collected on the first day. What are your thoughts? – Suman

• ‘Rush’ was always in trouble ever since it got stalled three years back. Once a film is stuck, you can’t expect it to do well just because your lead hero is hot in the market. Emraan is not alone as before him, other superstars have gone through the same cycle as well. Salman’s ‘Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya’, Shahrukh’s ‘Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke’, Akshay’s ‘Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahi’, Ajay’s ‘Mehbooba’ and Sanjay Dutt’s ‘Chatur Singh Two Star’ – each of these films could well have worked had a superstar’s presence been good enough to pull crowds. However they didn’t. A dated film is a dated film. Period.

Is it true that ‘Chennai Express’ and ‘Happy New Year’ are blocked for Eid 2013 and Christmas 2013, respectively? – Gaurav Patel

• No

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder

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