My Box Office Predictions: King of B-Wood in 2012

Bol Bacchan: http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3068518

Cocktail: http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3082394

I had predicted many things for these films. For Bol Bacchan, I stated that it would be the turning point of Abhishek's career in terms of box office (and it is, as the film is all set to be his biggest grosser till date) and I also stated that film will make 100 crores (and it currently on it's way to doing that!)

For Cocktail, I had stated that the film will be a Hit (the film is running to packed houses across the country as of the weekend and has some appreciation which will likely get it to the "Hit" mark). More importantly, I stated that the film will be the turning point in Deepika Padukone's career. I think this line in Taran Adarsh's review of the film says it all: "It wouldn't be erroneous to state that COCKTAIL would do for Deepika what JAB WE MET did for Kareena'. Not only Taran Adarsh, everyone who has seen the film has shown immense appreciation towards Deepika!

Now, for this week. As you know, there is no major film coming this week, so I thought of doing something different this time. Since we have hit the mid-year mark, I thought that why not address the vital question on everyone's mind: Who will reign as the king of Bollywood when 2012 is all set and done?

As well know, there are some major films coming in the second half of the year: JOKER, RAAZ 3, STUDENT OF THE YEAR, KHILADI 786, SON OF SARDAR, to name a few. BUT, there are a few films that I like to call "earthquake" films. They are films that are so huge that they are a notch above every other film. The 4 earthquake films coming in the second half of the year are: EK THA TIGER, YASH CHOPRA'S NEXT, TALAASH, and DABAANG 2.

Currently, when it comes to being the King of Bollywood, the person with that tag is either Aamir Khan or Salman Khan. You can make a case for either one of them. Salman Khan has 3 back-to-back mega Blockbusters in the form of DABANNG, READY, and BODYGUARD, while Aamir Khan has the biggest grosser of all time, 3 IDIOTS. 3 IDIOTS, of course, is the only film to be apart of the 200 crore club, which brings me to my next part...

There is a lot of speculation about how at least one film this year will cross the 200 crore mark, and for good reason, because of the amount of hype that each "earthquake film" carries. No matter which Khan it is (SRK, Salman, Aamir), who's ever film reaches the 200 crore mark this year and goes past 3 IDIOTS will be able to lay claim to King of Bollywood. I will do an analysis of the 4 films, as to which one of them can reach the 200 crore mark!

EK THA TIGER: This film has every chance in the world to enter the 200 crore mark. Salman Khan. Katrina Kaif. Yash Raj Films. The promos. Kabir Khan, who's last directorial venture NEW YORK proved to be a Hit. Independence Day. Eid. 5 Day opening weekend. If this film is good, then there is no stopping it!

YASH CHOPRA's NEXT: Some may feel that this film can enter the 200 crore club, but I strongly don't think so. Nothing personal against SRK (my favourite actor), and Yash Chopra (one of my favourite directors), but the thing is that Yash Chopra's last film VEER ZAARA, drew mixed reactions from the public. Yash Chopra has an old-style type of film-making, and somewhere I feel that he is not really able to connect as well with the youth of today's time in India. Also, the romantic genre is not the "in" thing at the moment, as action entertainers now call the shots, thus making it difficult for this film to make 200 crores. But yes, it should definitely enter the 100 crore club.

TALAASH: "Can Aamir Khan outdo himself?" The question on the minds of millions after each of his films. But this time, he won't be able to outdo himself, box office wise. There is no doubt that the film will find immense appreciation, but the thing though is that given it's thriller genre, it will lack the repeat value that can make it as a big of a grosser as 3 IDIOTS. Also, let's not forget, 3 IDIOTS was a sunshine type of film, whereas TALAASH is more of a dark film, meaning that the masses will likely not enjoy the film as much as 3 IDIOTS.

DABANNG 2: DABANNG in 2010 was loved by the public and made around 140 crores. Can you imagine how much DABANNG 2 could make if it is loved in the same way, and if EK THA TIGER becomes a super-success? (likely). Much like EK THA TIGER, if this film is appreciated, there may be nothing stopping it from reaching the 200 crore mark!

So there you have it. If there are any films this year that have the chances of going past 3 IDIOTS and becoming the biggest grosser of all time, they are EK THA TIGER and DABANNG 2.

So, who do I think will be known as the King of Bollywood when 2012 is over? Salman Khan!

As for the other smaller (but still big) films coming this year, although they won't get anywhere close to the 200 crore mark, they have their own potential of doing well. Akshay has a good run at the box office this year, and JOKER/KHILADI 786 have potential to continue his streak and make him once again be known as a Hit machine. Emraan Hashmi, who (barring SHANGHAI) has also been having a good run at the box office, can continue that with RAAZ 3. Ajay Devgan, riding on the success of BOL BACCHAN, has SON OF SARDAR later this year. Ranbir Kapoor could get himself a tropy for Critics Best Actor with BARFI. Unfortunately, through all of this, Hritikh Roshan who has had 2 recent back-to-back super-successes will be sidelined due to none of his films releasing in the second half of the year. There are other actors too that could do well, but there is one "dark horse" film coming this year that has the potential to do very well...Karan Johar's STUDENT OF THE YEAR.

STUDENT OF THE YEAR has not been talked about much amongst people yet, but Karan Johar is entering the field that he knows best: the college/campus setting with youngsters, filled with fun and romance, which is what he has stated this film will be about. If KJO can re-create the magic of KUCH KUCH HOTA HAIN, then STUDENT OF THE YEAR could end up being a huge winner amongst the multiplex youth at the box office.

There you have it, my article of the week! Sorry for making it so long, but I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks.

No i don't predict football matches

People may go out of loyalty, or a nostalgia trip but it just doesn't seem exciting---admittedly I could be comparing it to Ra.One which has led me to distrust SRK's films now.

I'll probably just wait for it to come to Netflix though.

As for Salman, I don't think there's any question about ETT going huge and my son and I both trust Aamir enough to be willing to pay to see his film.

I only wish he'd bring out Disco Fighter.

in a week you will be on this forum...done.

I hope so

😆