We have around 6-7 bankable stars in the industry today and quite a few top directors, and almost all of them are targeting the big weekends. Historically, the most successful release periods in the last 5-6 years are:
- Christmas (PK, Dhoom 3, 3 Idiots, Bajirao Mastani)
- Eid (Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kick, Chennai Express, Ek Tha Tiger)
- Diwali (Krrish 3, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Happy New Year)
- Post IPL (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Rowdy Rathore, Ready, Holiday)
- Independence Day weekend (Ek Tha Tiger, Singham Returns)
- Republic Day weekend (Airlift, Agneepath, Jai Ho, Baby)
- Gandhi Jayanti weekend (Bang Bang, Singh Is Bling)
There is a huge crunch for favourable release periods, which has resulted in production houses booking release dates 1-2 years in advance. The Khans target three of the most lucrative festive periods; Eid, Christmas and Diwali. Since Akshay Kumar has 3-4 releases every year, he usually targets Republic Day (Airlift, Baby), Post-IPL (Rowdy Rathore, Holiday, Housefull 3), Independence Day (OUATIMD, Brothers, Rustom) and Gandhi Jayanti (Singh Is Bling).
Hrithik managed to get a solo release during Diwali when Krrish 3 became a huge blockbuster at the box office. However, since then, the 4th biggest superstar in the industry today, has had to release his films against others. It’ll be 3 consecutive clashes for Hrithik; Bang Bang released with Haider, Mohenjo Daro is scheduled to release against Akshay’s Rustom and Kaabil has now been announced on the same day as Ajay Devgn’s Baadshaho.
Meanwhile, Ajay has bigger ambitions. He has already booked three major dates; Shivaay for Diwali 2016, Baadshaho for Republic Day 2017 and Sons Of Sardaar for Diwali 2017. He hasn’t been intimidated by the Khans in the past and has probably decided to break their festive monopoly.
Younger stars like Varun Dhawan and Ranveer Singh have been growing steadily in the industry and if films like Dishoom and Befikre do well, there is no reason why they wouldn’t want bigger dates.
The massive success of Bajirao Mastani has also given immense confidence to smaller filmmakers and lesser stars to take on the mighty Khans at the box office. Prior to the release of Dilwale and Bajirao during Christmas last year, releasing the SLB directed film was considered to be a suicidal move by the trade. The result at the domestic box office though, has shaken up the industry.
It has also made the festive weekends more desirable for a lot of other people. The belief is, if the content is strong and the film is backed by a big banner, the Khans are not invincible at the box office. In fact, it could even prove to be beneficial because a clash results in free media publicity and pre-release hype.
2016 is going to be a year of box office clashes, but 2017 could be even bigger.
@Javed 230 crores? come on my fellow mate. even 100 cr should be big achievement for our BAADSHAH OF ACTING idol as our king has not crossed 100 cr on non holiday. we should pray that our king doesn’t fail below 80 cr. all our king’s recent movies were holiday releases and now he is releasing his comeback none holiday, so we can’t really expect 100 crores from our king.
Fan 135
Raees 185 clash
Sultan 195 clash
Mohenjo 180 solo
Houseful 3 165..(I don’t think jj will release plus already movie being written off!)
Shivaay 160 clash
Dangal Bahubali tough!!
I am wating for fan and Raees,,,,,hit, hit .
@javeda:
According to your predictions Bajrangi Bhaijaan was to collect less than 100cr and excusewale was to collect over 300cr. But the opposite happened. Now you are doing the same mistake by predicting 150cr for Sultan and 250cr rice smuggler and billu fan. Again the opposite going to happen just like last year.
Most of the loongiwalas are chanting that both billu fan and rice smuggler are content rich movies. It seems they have already watched them in paglapur or bakrapur!!!!… LOL.
Some idiots are chanting that Ali Abbas Jafar is crapp director and rahul dholakia is a classy director. So rice will win the clash. Meanwhile, Ali Abbas has made 2 movies so far and both of them are box office hits. While Rahul dholakia yet to give a clean hit despite getting rave response from critics.
Salman>>>>>choosa hua aam.
Ali Abbas>>>>Rahul dholakia.
Hence, Sultan>>>>rice smuggler in any case…!!!
@ANK
You are a Srk fan right? 2 be candid.. U are the most realistic and genuine Srk fan I have crossed path with both in India, south Africa n elsewhere.
I noticed it with your comments and d other day when you gave some kids lectures on calling Salman and Aamir with childish names. Thus am very sure most adhent fans of the other Khan’s appreciate your comments,sincere analysis,sportsmanship and above all your respect for all of Srk contemporaries/veteran professional colleagues.
Also from my own side.. Tanx for acknowledging and complimenting Ajay sir. Feel so obliged.
@ Aisha : Thanks. Really enjoy reading ur comments too.
Overall Amitabh Bachchan is my most favorite star. Amongst today heroes I like SRK the most with Amir and Salman at 2nd and Hrithik, Ajay and Akshay at 3rd. As much as I like SRK I will never defend his bad movies. He is a bit down nowadays but as someone said ‘once a fan always a fan’ I adore him equally even after duds like HNY and Dilwale. I am still a fan of Amitabh today even if nobody talks about him and same way will remain SRKs fan even if he goes below Arjun Kapoor in the heroes list.
@ joe srkian: u will also find answer to ur comments in above para.
@AK – Tribute to Afzal Guru was paid at JNU. Aamir is silent on such a topic, I know why ? I am ashamed at such anti national forces and people like Aamir who are now quiet when they actually should be opposing this.
When they don’t respect Indian majority, movies of such actors should not be released