AskIndicine: Live QnA starts at 4:30PM

The live Question and Answer session, which is now called #AskIndicine starts at 4:30PM. Post your questions below! 10 questions will be randomly picked and answered right here on this page.

Q. What are the Top 5 films in terms of footfalls? – Shaggy

A. Sholay is the most watched film of all time. Trade sources say, more than 15 crore tickets of Sholay were sold. In fact, a report on India Today put the number at 25 crore. ”Ten years ago, when steam locomotives and bandit horsemen ran side by side down a strange mountainscape to form the opening scene of Sholay. few expected that the film would create movie history with 25 crore people watching it over the years. (Source: India Today article dated July 31 1985). After Sholay, films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Gadar Ek Prem Katha, Maine Pyaar Kiya, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Raja Hindustani.. were also huge in terms of footfalls. Bajrangi Bhaijaan, PK and 3 Idiots are the most watched movies after year 2000.

Q. When will release ‘Kick 2’? – Prince

A. It’s too early to talk about ‘Kick 2’. The film is in its scripting stage. Once the script is ready, an official announcement will be made. Eid 2017 could be the date that Sajid Nadiadwala and Salman Khan are targeting.

Q. What will be the lifetime collection of Brothers? Will it cross 100 cr mark at the domestic box office? – Kritagya

A. Whether Brothers will cross the 100 crore mark or not, could well be decided in the next two days. The film has to show 40-50% growth today, which will take the Saturday business to around the 21-22 crore mark. Sunday will be crucial too. The weekend total has to be as close to the 60 crore mark as possible. That’ll give the film a good chance at crossing the 100 crore mark.

Q. When will Rajshri Productions release the trailer of Prem Ratan Dhan Payo – Kumud Nikhil

A. The trailer of Prem Ratan Dhan Payo will be out next month.

Q. What are the chances of Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani clash? – Ashish

A. The clash is not good for both films, both producers would do well to discuss and work out a solution. One film could arrive on 25th December (Friday), but the film that releases a week earlier won’t get the advantage of a holiday release. Also, the weaker film runs the risk of completely getting sidelined by the audience. For example, Chennai Express was carrying good word-of-mouth and by the time Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara, the momentum was clearly with Chennai Express. OUATIMD would have probably earned about 20% more than it did, if it released on a different date. The same was the case with Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam. Word-of-mouth was good, but the audience had plenty of options. In most cases, the films that suffer are those with lesser star-cast and genre with limited appeal.

Q. It is already the month of August, so who is the leading contender for best actor(male), best actor( female) and the best film for now? – Lochte

A. Not too sure about the National Awards, because regional films are also taken into considering. Filmfare is 50% jury and 50% audience votes, i.e critical acclaim and box office success. Bajrangi Bhaijaan is by far the leading contender. So Best Actor (Male) – Salman Khan for Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Best Actor (Female) – Kangana Ranaut for Tanu Weds Manu Returns. Best Film – Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Q. How many all time blockbusters does Salman Khan have? – Naaz

A. Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994), Dabangg (2010) and Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015).

Q. What should the Realistic Lifetime of Dilwale ?? And how far the negativity on Social media affect the film?

A. Lifetime collections depends on various factors like release period, trailer, whether it manages a solo release and most importantly the word-of-mouth. It’s impossible to predict now, although due to the star cast, Christmas release and the director involved, the film should collect more than Rs 250 crore in India.

Q. Top 10 biggest franchise of Bollywood of all time? Mayank

A. There was a time, not too long ago, when sequels didn’t work in India. Now the scenario has completely changed. An established brand like Singham can take a record-breaking opening, as the first first found huge appreciation not just when it released in theatres, but also because of a super-successful run on television. The biggest franchise is Dhoom, followed by Krrish, Munnabhai, Golmaal, Dabangg, Don, Housefull, Race, Hera Pheri, Masti and possibly even Aashiqui.

Q. When will Akshay Kumar give 20 crore opening? Brothers was his best bet, will it be Housefull 3 due to sequel factor? – tabishaikh

A. It’s a difficult question to answer because Akshay Kumar films have been consistently under-performing at multiplexes. He still commands a good following in smaller towns and North/Central circuits, but pan India the opening has been below-the-mark for most of his films in recent times. It was always clear that Brothers wouldn’t take a 20 crore plus opening, the genre held limited appeal for the family audience and the music didn’t work either. Realistic expectations were for a 17-18 crore opening which would have taken the weekend business above the 60 crore mark. As for Housefull 3, it’s a huge brand, but it’s way too early to talk about the film.

Q. What’s the box office verdict of Hamari Adhuri Kahani and Dil Dhadakne Do ? - Fisa

A. Hamari Adhuri Kahani is a flop and Dil Dhadakne Do is an average grosser. Check the full list of 2015 box office verdicts here.

Q. Aamir Khan aka Mr.Perfectionist is working very very hard for his upcoming film Dangal.Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur in an interview said ”Aamir Khan’s dedication is legendary”.So as a fan,I’m asking this question to you(Indicine),what are your expectations from Aamir and Dangal?

A. Expectations are always high from an Aamir Khan film and Dangal will be no different. He’s always been dedicated and hard-working, but the effort that he’s been putting into Dangal is mind-boggling and very inspiring!

Q. Lets put BO Figures aside. Tell me Hrithik , SRK, Aamir or Salman who’s a greater star in terms of Acting , and Quality of movie? – Veer Trivedi

A. Each one of them is good at what they do, which is why they have been successful for so long. SRK was outstanding in Chak De India, super consistent throughout his career and has sustained his following for so long. Aamir is unbeatable when it comes to the quality of his films. It’s difficult to be successful in this industry, but it’s even harder to make comebacks like Salman and Hrithik have. Akshay is terrific too, thorough professional, completes his films on time and commands a die-hard fan following too.

Q. Has Hrithik signed any other film. At least give some close information. And when will Dilwale trailer release? – Jit

A. Hrithik hasn’t signed anything after Mohenjo Daro. He’s is no real hurry to sign any film at this point in time. Quite a bit of Mohenjo Daro shoot is still left. YRF’s Thug, the talks are on hold now. There is no truth to the ‘Aashiqui 3’ rumour either.

Q. Who is the bigger star? Hrithik or Akshay?

A. There is no real comparison at this stage. Hrithik is way ahead in cities and his films also take a bigger opening at smaller centres.

Q. When it comes to box office collection of movies, people say these are producers figure and these are trade figures. I can understand the producers figure but who decides the trade figure? What is the source of such trade figures? Hopefully u or someone else here will answer it.

A. Trade figures are based on estimates, sample figures from theatres and circuit-wise estimates. The figures that are released on a daily basis are not 100% accurate. We have a detailed article on this. Do read Our take on the Krrish 3 controversy.

Q. If Bajrangi Bhaijaan releases China, Japan and other countries. Then can Bajrangi Bhaijaan beat PK worldwide collection? – Yeasin

A. Impossible to predict collections in China and Japan. There are no clear signs of a particular genre of Hindi films attracting the audience in China. After the success of 3 Idiots, Aamir Khan has a huge following in China, which has helped the business of Dhoom 3 and PK. So Bajrangi Bhaijaan will rely on word-of-mouth publicity. If that film does well, Salman films in the future will do well.

That ends AskIndicine. 17 questions were answered, 7 more than promised. Join us next week for the next session of AskIndicine.