January 2018 will be forever remembered as the most eventful month. Why? After going to and fro, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s labour for love Padmaavat released. It was also the month where Aiyaary was finding it difficult to stay put at one place. It got pushed around so much that even now we have doubts if the film will actually release on February 9. Pad Man was almost getting released on January 25 and then suddenly it didn’t. Akshay Kumar generously gave away the spot to Bhansali’s Padmaavat because he felt this film needed the Republic Day weekend more than his movie. So the month has been pretty interesting that way. But that’s not the only thing that we noticed in January. Here’s our review of the month…
Winners
Padmaavat it is! After months of hardwork, protests, controversies, Bhansali’s ambitious period epic on a Rajput queen’s jauhar finally got screened at the theatres and the impact can be felt even now. Since the day it released, it has been creating records. We have already shared 21 records with you and we are pretty sure it has added a few more in the kitty already. It will only go bigger in the coming days as there is hardly competition in the coming days. As of now, it has earned Rs 148 crore. Padmaavat’s release and success will make Bhansali finally heave a sigh of relief because there was a point when people were speculating the film might just never release ever.
Now coming to Tiger Zinda Hai, Salman Khan’s film doesn’t really care who is contesting with it at the box office. Despite a Christmas 2017 release, the film is still running successfully at many theatres. It crossed the Rs 300 crore mark already and is now eyeing to beat P.K.’s total soon. That’s the reason nobody clashes with Salman at the box office. His movie will run no matter what… but yes, provided it makes everyone happy (Tubelight is still fresh in our memories).
We need to mention 1921 here too. Before Padmaavat, many lacklustre movies released and only Vikram Bhatt’s horror fest managed to stay put. The genre still finds patronage which is a lesson for many that there is an audience for the content. It is the only hit apart from Padmaavat among the January releases. As of now the film has made Rs 15.51 crore.
We have to mention Secret Superstar too. After Dangal, China just loves anything even has a hint of Aamir Khan in it. The film is enroute to making Rs 500 crore in the country alone. It had only earned Rs 63.40 crore in India! (Also read: Just when Padmaavat protests calmed down, Manju Warrier’s Aami gets dragged to court for twisting facts)
Losers
Well, there are quite a few but the one that might hurt the most is Kaalakaandi. Saif Ali Khan was looking to redeem himself after Chef last year with film but it was too trippy for anyone’s liking. Mukkabaaz garnered praise but not box office numbers. Rest can be best forgotten!
January trends
Amusingly, there isn’t a trend in particular to notice in terms of box office. What we did learn this month is how despite protest, a film which has been well-made, will manage to find its audience and flourish. The protests against Padmaavat had turned violent but the film marched ahead. It is not screened at key states and yet it has already crossed the Rs 100 crore mark in 4 days. The ban on the film has been lifted in Patna and we are hoping more states will open up to the film in the coming days for it to earn some more.
Star performers
Ranveer Singh, Ranveer Singh and Ranveer Singh! Eversince people have watched Padmaavat, they just can’t get over the fact that this actor is so evil! We are of course talking about his character of Alauddin Khilji. The kind of villainy he has instilled in the role is simply mindblowing. It is so difficult to convince yourself that it’s Ranveer in the film because he is so affable in nature. And here he is playing this perfect devil!
Shahid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone also deserve mention here because without them, Ranveer’s khilji wouldn’t stand out.
Up and coming
February has two biggies in the name of Pad Man and Aiyaary which everyone is banking on. Then there’s Rani Mukerji’s comeback film Hichki, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Dil Junglee and others. We will brace up for a surprise this month. What about you?