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237 Responses to “Dabangg (ongoing) & the rest of the non-existent box office!”
Friday 17th September 2010 13.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Dabangg grossed 81.50 crore nett approx as per early estimates over its first week after its Thursday looks to be coming in around the 6 crore nett mark.
The film has smashed the first week record of Three Idiots even if we include the paid previews of that film.
The film has set new first week circuit records in Delhi/UP, East Punjab, Bihar, CP Berar, CI, Rajasthan, Assam and Orissa while in Mumbai, West Bengal, Nizam/Andhra, Mysore and Tamil Nadu/Kerala the records of Three Idiots have held up. The collections over the second weekend should also be very good.
Top 5: ‘Dabangg’ is the biggest opener ever
- By Taran Adarsh, September 17, 2010 – 16:40 IST
Emerges the biggest opener ever of Hindi cinema. The film collected approx. Rs. 81 cr. nett in Week 1, overtaking the Week 1 total of ’3 Idiots’, which held the record of the biggest opener. The film has set new records in every circuit. The Week 1 share of ‘Dabangg’ works out to approx. Rs. 50 cr. Unprecedented!
Incredible week 1 performance: most films, even by major stars, would be happy with a COMPLETE box office run of what Dabangg or Three Idiots has managed in one week.
Kudos to Dabangg team for this humongous achievement. But one thing has been proven that Three Idiots did fantabulously well in the week days which says a lot about its liking among the audience in general. It would take a combination of lot of things to even get closer to Three Idiots total.
Since Dabangg beat the 3 Idiots’ opening weekend by a little over 5 crore, and its week 1 total by about 5 crore, doesn’t that prove that Dabangg also did equally well during the week as 3 Idiots?
not really because it started out 5 crores ahead or more over the first weekend. It’s slowed down over the first week compared to 3I. Had it maintained 3I’s pace it should have beaten the film by a greater margin. Dabangg has crossed the 3I total by 1 crore. Let’s include the 3I paid previews, these were 2.5 crores. So you have 3I at 77.5 crores without the paid previws, Dabangg is still a bit behind. But this is not rap on the film. It has done astonishingly well. It is not likely to get to where 3I was because that film was seen multiple times by many in multiplexes. Hard to match that and if Dabangg does it would an even more stunning achievement.
Weren’t the prices raised more than any film ever before?
I think that Dabangg didn’t raise the prices of its tickets at all (I’m not very sure though).
I believe Dabangg also had more prints if the numbers quoted are to be believed! On raising prices the problem is you can’t just pick one film for doing that unless you’re picking the others also. On the other hand consider the demand where despite raising prices it did that well. Usually you have a film which does not do universally well, or is limited to multiplexes (say your typical SRK starrer once upon a time) and you jack up the returns this way by focusing on the multiplex core. But 3I was doing well across the board. In other words no film creates history just by jacking up prices!
On the Christmas holiday we’ve talked about this before but I am planning to release my home production next Christmas to have a shot at 3I’s numbers as well.
Jacked up ticket prices is an economical question of revenue. Why are people simply assuming a higher ticket price relates to higher revenues? What about the demand of a film? What about people turned away from watching the film due to high price? One can’t assume its all revenues increasing.
It’s very simple logic Satyam.
Both the films are one which people want to watch, say…compared to MNIk
So if its holiday they go to the cinema, if not they go to the office and wait to see when they can.
Whereas whether its a holiday or not..people won’t go.
Secondly, if its a holiday, some people go to the cinema, which they don’t normally do, but the holiday mood energized them.
Simple as that.
Regarding your film…we’ll have to see whether people *want* to watch it or not..otherwise.
And lastly, you cannot be saying that Amir didn’t bank on the holiday season, what with all his *strategies* and *marketing genius* and knowing best and all that, and that he just threw a dart which landed on this day.
precisely because it is so simple and no one else has figured this out that I hope to break records with my home production next Christmas.. I am not dumb like all the other stars in the industry and who have been looking for fool’s good around Diwali and so on every year. And my heart goes out to Salman. The Dabangg gross makes it evident that not many people could take time off from work.
You didn’t get my point as Dabangg collected 49 to 50 crore in its 1st weekend, it made 31 crore in the week days. On the other hand Three Idiots made 41 crore in its first weekend including previews, and went on to make 79 crore in 1st week, which means it made 38 crore in its week days.
Why would anyone compare Dabangg to 3 Idiots.(in the long term ie)
One hand we have Good timepass kind of movie other hand Universally Loved movie.
Dabangg was infact ~8-9 cr ahead during weekend and ended up being ~ 2 cr ahead in the end.(If we dont take paid previews of 3I, then the respective numbers will be 10-11 cr and 4-5 cr)
Its losing steam compared to 3 Idiots and ofcourse it will, the latter was a movie which someone saw and then took their family to see it and so on.
But in and of itself it has hugely surpassed expectations in terms of sustaining during the week, because as just a “Entertaining,Timepass movie” it should have fallen more(going by history).
3 Idiots was like a Hurricane never seen before in the Plex era. It collected a whopping ~ 10 cr each day for the first 10 days , ending at 115 cr in 10 days.
Dabangg is a bulldozer, going over 3 Idiots first weekend but then by weekdays it started going 10-8-7-6 and so on.
2nd Weekend will be big(23-25 cr) and by the end of 2nd week should have crossed or reached near Ghajini.
From there its to be seen if it totally goes out of Plexes or not, but Single Screens will keep going for few week, thus ending its run around 130-140 cr or so.
Agreed Doga.. the numbers for Dabangg are so stupendous that one doesn’t need to compare it to 3I. But the fan always wants a little more! By the way if it does no more than 130 crores it will be much behind Ghajini trending as well. Ghajini’s actual first week number was 55 crores or so (64 crores was an 8 or 9 day total with paid previews included I think). It then went on to do 115 crores. So it doubled the initial week and then added some which is not a trend one sees these days for most films, even those called hits. To match that trending Dabangg has to do 165-170 crores. At the very least 160. So it still needs to be very stable just to get to Ghajini’s achievement. In any case this is the fairer comparison because the genres are the same.
for being a salman fan! simple yaar.. its never a actor succeeds i always believe when movies like dabanng gets liked its actually more important to appreciate and congratulate the fans imo.
its the fans who makes the stars what they are.
thus dabanng being hit, and ur reporting on SS.. made this for one hell of memorable memory for me
congrats dogabhai.. i dont get it why do we want to talk 3I.. lets njoy the moment!
funnyly when it was
prerelease- it wont cross 70-80
release day- it wont cross ghajini
post release weekend- it wont cross 3i first week
post fist week – it wont cross 3 I total!
enough i guess we need to live in this moment forget past and future.. letes live in today!
it seems that even after 9 long months, there are some haters who have not come out of the shock 3 Idiots gave them. wishing for their speedy recovery!!
Fri, Sep 17 2010 | Published in Box Office Reports, Featured, Komal Nahta
‘Dabangg’ Breaks ‘3 Idiots’ Record!
Komal Nahta
In December 2009, when 3 Idiots had netted Rs. 79.75 crore in the first week in all-India, it was felt that this record would take a long time to be broken or surpassed. For, ‘3 Idiots’ had broken the records of all films released before it at almost every cinema of every centre. Some felt, it would take two to three years for a film to match up to ‘3 Idiots’. Others put the figure at five years at least. But in just less than nine months came along Dabangg and smashed the record of ‘3 Idiots’! That’s the film industry for you – it can throw surprises any time. As against Rs. 79.75 crore collected by the Rajkumar Hirani film, ‘Dabangg’ has netted Rs. 80.05 crore. The Salman Khan starrer may have overtaken the Aamir Khan starrer by just Rs. 30 lakh but the fact is, the first week’s record of ‘3 Idiots’ was broken in less than a year. The first weekend of ‘Dabangg’ (Rs. 47 crore) was far ahead of 3 Idiots (Rs. 41 crore) but the Rs. 6 crore gap became smaller and smaller as the week came to a close. Which means, the collections of ‘Dabangg’ far exceeded those of ‘3 Idiots’ on the first three days of the release week but were less than those of the earlier record holder on days 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the week.
@jayshah
>Why are people simply assuming a higher ticket price relates to higher revenues? What about the demand of a film?
It’s just about 3I and Dabangg, not other films.
So if at the weekend the ticket prices of Dabangg were the same as 3I the difference would have been of more than 5-6 crores.
>I believe Dabangg also had more prints if the numbers quoted are to be believed!
LOL!
We can keep going backwards.
3I too had more prints than any other film before that.
Of course the point is that not every film with high ticket price and more prints will do this much, that’s why one isn’t comparing it to other films, just to Dabangg since both are liked and are raking in money.
Sorry for responding in bits and pieces..lack of time.
But here is another of Satyam’s,
>I am not dumb like all the other stars in the industry and who have been looking for fool’s good around Diwali and so on every year.
Good, because more people are involved with the goings on of Diwali than with that of Christmas, and therefore are freer during the latter than at former. So choosing Christmas time for your home production is a wise choice.
LOL, but actually now a lot of people have figured this out — Akshay, the Deols, even Salman (or really, Sajid Nadiadwalla) — if you look up the line up of films for Christmas 2010 & 2011.
Anyway, post Dabangg I fully expect Eid to become the new Christmas.
Eid like Diwali has been one of those traditional dates around which releases were planned. if you ask me I’ve always believed all of these things to be very mythologized and not very reflective of reality. Leaving aside Bachchan (who could get extraordinary results irrespective of release date) there have been countless huge successes over the years that did not release on any of these dates. One could go through the last decade and also find many examples. At the margins I’m sure holidays help but they never produce a very significant difference in the gross on their own. Dabangg is of course the classic example of this. No one has thought Eid to be this big for years! Much as Christmas wasn’t supposed to be special really and even at this point it is so even for Aamir. But of course he was getting big results even otherwise. Far more important as a factor in competition with a 2-3 week period or so. For example Ghajini was massive but RNBDJ was still rather stable even after 2 weeks. Dabangg has had zero competition so far but next week Anjaana Anjaani will be a factor in the multiplexes, if it works to any degree.
agree young-gold there.
the “invincible” aamir has suddenly started looking beatable and mortal.
although i personally feel that the-bang may finally fall short of gajini (forget 3I).
But if it does creep anywhere near 3i– it will be astounding
Aamir never figured or planned Christmas being a good time for release. It all happened by chance. TZP got delayed because he took over the direction at the last moment, Ghajini was to release in October but got delayed due to his accident on the sets, 3 Idiots came a year later only because Ghajini was also released later and Aamir takes at least a whole year or year and a half to complete and release his next film. His Christmas release dates have all happened by chance!
Also, this Christmas being the most fertile time for release of films theory is rubbish, in my humble opinion.
Many schools throughout India, have pre-board exams for Class 10 and Class 12, twice – first in December, then in the first week of January.
You guys keep talking about holidays. December is the main holiday season only in North American and European countries, not in India!
I remember during his first live chat on Facebook, before the release of 3 Idiots, many class 10 and class 12 students had complained to Aamir that he shouldn’t release the film now, since they’re either having or are about to have their pre-board exams and can’t watch the film! You can go to Aamir’s older blog posts and see comments from many students who saw the film in the last week of January after their pre-board were over.
Every Class 10 and Class 12 student would know that test series/mock exams, both in school and coaching centres begin during December. From December, everyone from parents, teachers, tutors to even classmates start telling them to get all serious about boards and entrance tests preparations.
It is only after the mega-success of Ghajini and 3 Idiots that ”December or Christmas weekend being the biggest” theory has come up!
Even college students start to get more serious about covering their syllabus and completing their pending assignments/practical files/papers from December onwards. Annual camps of NCC/NSS units in colleges are during December last week only, after the internal exams in mid-December are over. Since we also have the National Youth Festival in January, colleges and universities all over India are busy in preparation for that as well. [The preparations are halted for sometime in December due to exams, then started again and youth festival participants have to come for rehearsals even during holidays!]
Also, only kids and students have holidays. I have never seen any private or public sector workplace giving holidays to workers/professionals during December!
Isn’t it also the season of weddings, especially in North India?
Isn’t it a month of super cold weather, in which one is easily susceptible to sickness and there are cases of people dying out of cold? Isn’t it a time when one doesn’t even feel like getting out of their blankets and their cosy homes?! Don’t we have things like cold wave, fogs and stuff, especially in North India at the time of the year?!
In foreign countries also (like US/UK etc.), things like blizzards, storms and heavy snow fall can deter audience from going to theatres. Doesn’t it sometimes lead to a drop in the film’s collections overseas? [If I am not mistaken, something of this sort happened once, in case 3 Idiots too.]
Now suddenly, everyone from trade to fans of other stars are calling it the most fertile, perfect and profitable time to release a film! Ha!
It’s only an excuse. How many films released in December (especially, the Christmas week) before 2007, became ATBB or even hits, for that matter?!
It’s only a tool to take away some (or all) credit from Aamir for his success.
In fact, Dabangg weekend and even first week, proves that ”only the Christmas weekend makes movie a record-breaker” argument (put forth by fans of every star except Aamir) is wrong and hollow! Till now, everyone would say X, Y or Z film would have done amazing business or would have broken records if only it had released on Christmas! ”Christmas par nahi release hui na, isi liye, thodi si peeche reh gayi!” (I’ve come across such dialogues so many times online, from fans of other stars who expect their star to kick 3 Idiots and Ghajini’s records but somehow it doesn’t happen so they make this excuse. Even Taran Adarsh and BOI also used to make this excuse for ”not huge enough opening” for films of ”huge stars” this year (which everyone knows about and I don’t want to name them or their films, otherwise it will only create unnecessary argument and comparisons). I hope they stop making such excuses now, in case films fail to open as big expected.
Sorry for the rant. But I only wanted to say that Christmas being the sureshot key to breaking records is wrong.
I can see such articles/headlines/discussions and sudden awakening to Salman’s star power/acting calibre/fan base is more a result of sheer frustration of everyone at Aamir and his films’ records. Seeing his films on top of every list for two years made them kind of sick, that’s why this reaction. Some are behaving as if the entire record of 3 Idiots is gone!
I would only assert that box office records are just one of the many achievements of 3 Idiots. It’s a film that has achieved way beyond box office (and everyone knows that, even though some of them may either deny it or not express it despite knowing it!). It isn’t a film that can be smashed or banged easily in overall terms.
No matter how much anyone hates or dislikes Aamir, it’s a fact that he’ll go down in history (even inspite of being fairly/unfairly accused of lack of talent, lack of charisma, lack of box office pull or star power, lack of actual fan-base, *insert all shortcomings you want to*) simply because of the films he chose to be a part of. If other Kings, Kinngs, Dabanggs, Greek Gods are there, then alongwith them this puny guy would also find a mention somewhere. And as a fan, I’m more than happy with that.
[In fact, more than anything else, it's the widespread backlash and perennial bias against Aamir and the constant attempt to undermine him (by all sections of media & fans of other stars everywhere), which makes me an even more ardent fan of him! Sometimes, I even wonder if I actually like Aamir this much!! ]
I really pity the helplessness at the vicarious pleasure these Aamir haters are trying to get from Dabangg’s record, forgetting all their animosity against Salman as at the least he has given them much needed reprieve!!!!!!!!
What “aamir haters” are Myselfaamir and LS referring to? Since 3 Idiots released, or rather, after it ended its run, it became the benchmark for other big films to be measured against. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve had several that were compared to 3 Idiots in terms of collections, and came up short. Now there is one that seemed to be matching it, and, as of now at least, has beaten it. What other film will the analysts compare Dabangg to except 3 Idiots? Now that the opening and week 1 collections have been broken, Dabangg will become the new benchmark for those. In fact, at other forums, there are already discussions rampant on which of the upcoming big films in the year will beat Dabangg’s opening. Does that make them Salman haters?
You can object to the silly “horse race” type of reporting on films, which I myself find tiresome, but I don’t think it’s unique about Aamir.
@SM i was referring to SRK maniacs who keep putting “SOME IFS AND BUTS” for 3 Idiots record. I myself began by lauding the momentous feat of Dabangg, so again congratulate entire Dabangg team on this very very special occasion.
Releasing a film over a holiday might make a small difference, but not a large one in my opinion. A lot of this is just non sensical.
For example, I remember at one point that the weekend around the August 15th holiday was considered substantial. Both Mangal Pandey and KANK both did very well over those weekends.
Also, if you get nit picky with these silly things…one must remember that 3I made over 100 cr in January, a month that is considered to be a “cold” one. The last time that month had any sort of record breaker was RDB!
But, IIRC, 3 Idiots had a month or two clear with no other major releases. That’s why it could continue and capitalize on its opening.
But, as has been said many times now, the main thing is that the film should connect with the audience in the first place.
Or, to put it another way, TZP also released at Christmas, along with Welcome, and both films did well, without either one becoming as huge as the present ones.
SO WHY DO PEOPLE RELEASE FILMS ON WEEKENDS INSTEAD OF WEEKDAYS, IF HOLIDAYS DON’T MATTER????!!!
Deny all one wants but holidays boost collections.
The fact that not every film would collect that much is because it wasn’t liked that much, while the liked film collects more than what it would have collected (inspite of being liked very much) if it was,
-released on a weekday
-other competition
-no holiday in sight
-just one or two days holiday instead of a whole week or so
IMO the collection soars more than it would otherwise.
SO;
Liked films get more than they would otherwise (especially in the initial stages)
Other films which are not very popular – manage to get some
unpopular films – nothing can save them.
Dabangg was rock steady in Rajasthan on its second Friday as collections were better than the previous day. Saturday and Sunday are expected to jump further. The daily figures from Rajasthan are as follows.
Not bad but not great either. Rrepresents 55-60% drop comared to last Fri.
For comparision, 3I second Sat was 11 crores.
At this rate may end a 120-125 crores.
It was indeed surprising to see the Salman starrer take such a huge collection breaking 1st week BW collection records. And nice to know even critics have given a ‘thumbsup’ to the film.
In December 2009, when 3 Idiots had netted Rs. 79.75 crore in the first week in all-India, it was felt that this record would take a long time to be broken or surpassed. For, ‘3 Idiots’ had broken the records of all films released before it at almost every cinema of every centre. Some felt, it would take two to three years for a film to match up to ‘3 Idiots’. Others put the figure at five years at least. But in just less than nine months came along Dabangg and smashed the record of ‘3 Idiots’! That’s the film industry for you – it can throw surprises any time. As against Rs. 79.75 crore collected by the Rajkumar Hirani film, ‘Dabangg’ has netted Rs. 80.05 crore. The Salman Khan starrer may have overtaken the Aamir Khan starrer by just Rs. 30 lakh but the fact is, the first week’s record of ‘3 Idiots’ was broken in less than a year. The first weekend of ‘Dabangg’ (Rs. 47 crore) was far ahead of 3 Idiots (Rs. 41 crore) but the Rs. 6 crore gap became smaller and smaller as the week came to a close. Which means, the collections of ‘Dabangg’ far exceeded those of ‘3 Idiots’ on the first three days of the release week but were less than those of the earlier record holder on days 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the week.
DABANGG: Review By Komal Nahta
If one were to consider the performances of the two top grossers in the various circuits, it would emerge that 3 Idiots’ fared better than ‘Dabangg’ in Bombay, West Bengal, Nizam, Mysore and Tamilnadu-Kerala circuits whereas ‘Dabangg’ scored over ‘3 Idiots’ in Delhi-U.P., East Punjab, Bihar, C.P. Berar, C.I. and Rajasthan. Clearly, the action factor in ‘Dabangg’ did the trick in circuits where actions films fare better than other films!
The differential between the two films is just 30 lakhs here.. sensational as the numbers are this is hardly ‘smashing’ the record! and of course as Nahata makes it clear 3I was ahead during most of the weekdays..
It will overtake Ghajini without doubt but references have been to 3I.And while it has ‘edged ahead’ of 3I in the first week, the difference in Sat numbers highlights how 3I is in a different league altogether.
Dabangg’s numbers are superb without resorting to undue glorification.
Quite, predictably the exaggerated response to Dabangg’s BO responSe comes not from Salman’s fans but insecure fans of other stars who have been terrorised by BO performance of Ghajini and 3I.
LOL, true! the question is how much does it overtake Ghajini by? Because that movie released in Dec 2008. If the differential is ultimately 10-15 crores that is not too far from the inflation margin. Even accounting for all other factors it would be more or less in the Ghajini zone. However here’s the important factor even with respect to Ghajini. To match Ghajini’s trending Dabangg has to do minimally 160 crores! Ghajini did 115 crores or so off a roughly 55 crore 7 day number. I don’t think Dabangg is doing 160 crores quite frankly!
could be more than 20 if there is a significant jump on Sat and Sun. Which I personally doubt because it didn’t show that jump from Fri to Sat even over the first weekend.
again like yourself I too think there is nothing to argue about when the numbers have been so huge and that too so unexpectedly (let’s not forget the doldrums Salman has more or less been in for years.. there’s now an attempt to forget that entire history! But after the 2000 or so Salman was always lucky to have one significant hit in 3 years or so! So for example his last before Wanted in 2009 was Partner in 2007 with Govinda, before that MSK in 2004 with Akshay. Otherwise there were scores of flops or half-decent runs and so forth. So yes he has a massive one now but if anyone is very likely to revert back to the old ways even after this it’s Salman.. his entire career reveals this even if most of his hits are nonetheless concentrated in the 90s.. he could actually use Dabangg for reinvention.. ground himself in sensible masala and do a Barjatya on the other hand and basically avoid everything else.. frankly there is now a better path for him to keep landing big numbers than SRK.. but it is questionable whether he will suddenly develop the judgment and discipline to do so) but the overreach by many makes these arguments necessary. If one wants the Ghajini/3I comparisons that’s fine but let’s do it all the way. Much as the media has made a big deal out of the 3I record being smashed. But it’s actually in the very same range. That a film like Dabangg could do it is still astonishing but that’s still not reason to distort the narrative. In this sense Rajneeti got short shrift from the media. Yes everyone talked about the box office but consider this film made more than every film of every other star barring Ghajini and 3I. No mean achievement.
Rajen and Satyam-
guys cool your jets …..
let’s celebrate Dabang and let people compare it with Ghazni or 3 I
kya farq padta hai, which one collected more.. bottom line is masala is in and fake NRI crap is out.
by arguing like them, you are coming off just like them…….
Dabangg dispelled the myth that that Ghajini is a historical grosser’.
It will take some time for 3I record to be overtaken.
Considering the rise in ticket prices ghajini disnt do that well.
Ghajini is not historic which is why even Dabangg will struggle to match its trending! LOL! History isn’t only about opening numbers (by the way Dabangg is historic too, just because it matched 3I doesn’t mean that every other film will do it, wake me up when SRK and Akshay get to within 20 crores of the 3I/Dabangg opening!), it’s about the final number too. Sholay or HAHK or Gadar created history because of that final number, not the opening one!
give me ur number i will call u up 2 times in 2011…once when srk equals the other two khans muvis in june…and den in december when he takes all the recrds again…and btw i wud include worldwide openings….globalisation ka zamaana hai…
Several media outlets have framed the news such that everyone believes Dabanng has already broken all 3I records. Clearly, no one wants to point out that the 200cr mountain is still out there in front to be climbed.
No doubt, there is a lot of pent up frustration towards Aamir. Another news doing the rounds is that Aamir is scared shitless after Dabanng and is infinitely postponing the release of DG. Apparently, the reason for this fear is the rejection by audiences of issue-based films (Implying that DG is a ‘issue’based movie). There are even reports that say that Dabanng was nothing great, but audiences are sick of Aamir issues and will run for any crapiola out there.
the funny thing is that in all likelihood it won’t get anywhere close to the 160 crores it needs just to match Ghajini’s trending! These days though it’s all about creating media hysteria (positive or negative). The facts don’t matter.
The release strategies of movies nowadays are such that they frontload maximize their BO revenues in the first week itself. Trending of the sort Ghajini had for a ‘acceptable’ movie may become a thing of the past. Only a 3I type of universal juggernaut can achieve that type of trending. All other movies will try to adopt the scorch earth strategy with maximum prints and go for the gold in the first week. Dabanng has clearly succeeded with this strategy.
I think it will wrap up around 130crs and match Ghajini total plus inflation.
Where on earth are you getting 160 crore for Ghajini? Since the final figure for Ghajini collections is between 110-115 crore, are you claiming you need 50 crore extra to account for inflation in less than two years? That’s a nearly 50% inflation over that period. I doubt that that’s the case.
I don’t think anyone is claiming that Dabangg has already surpassed 3 Idiots’ total collections. The only statements from various trade analysts have been to the effect that it surpassed the opening weekend and first week total of 3 Idiots, which are demonstrably true. And, while you may not pay attention to Distributor Share, it is another major metric used by the industry and the trade, and here also Dabangg has surpassed 3 Idiots so far. It is possible, if the life time earnings of Dabangg are stronger in single screens than in multiplexes, that the final Distributor Share of Dabangg may surpass that of 3 Idiots, even though its gross collections are not as much.
key in Satyam’s satatment “matching Ghajini’s trending”. Ghajini almost doubled its 1st week business. So Dabangg needs to do 160 crore to do that!
“The only statements from various trade analysts have been to the effect that it surpassed the opening weekend and first week total of 3 Idiots, which are demonstrably true.”
There is no demonstartion until they publish all the data. They are statements we are accepting at face value. Based on daily total published only BOI could have crossed 3 idiots! Even BOI there is difference in daily reported number and what they reported on friday
sensational stuff, Yakuza.
How do you gather this data?
If this is accurate ( and I have no reason to believe it is not), nearly 30% more people watched Dabangg in first week than 3I.
LOL!!
What fun!!!!
BO discussions…….with a difference.
It’s all about bal ki khaal udhedna now to keep Gajhani/3i afloat, and dampen the jubilation of others, with statements like, ’3i /ghajani was liked more’ etc etc.
Lage Raho…bhais’
You will never cease right? Hats off to your knack of looking at all things negatively. No one wants to keep 3I or Ghajini afloat! Neither are any comments on a blog (!) going to sink them or keep them afloat.
Baal ki khaal haters aur cynics udhedte hain, ki fans aur supporters?
Aren’t people like you, the first ones to bring up some point (you most notably, bring some points/issues in all of Aamir’s interviews too! Uski films ke records/success/failure toh chhodo!) when you people want to undermine or dismiss success of films in some way?!
Supporters bring up arguments only out of provocation by similar comments of haters/cynics.
Anyway, arguments on a blog or forum don’t bring out anything and don’t positively or negatively impact anything in real life. So chill!
Aamir or Salman’s success or failure isn’t decided by your or anyone else’s individual POV!
Finally, don’t take offense please, but I’d like to say, you, Oldgold have already broken the record of being so consistently and unfailingly negative and sarcastic against certain personalities and their supporters! You never disappoint or fail to deliver on that count! Stars ke records ka toh pata nahi, lekin aap ka record shayad hi koi todh sakey.
[P.S. - I apologise in advance in case I've offended you with this comment of mine.]
>bring some points/issues in all of Aamir’s interviews too!
I challenge you to show me more than one interview in which I have ever commented.
I say more than one, because I may have commented in ‘one’ though I don’t think I did in any.
@anu i wholeheatedly agree with many of ur points but they say with experience comes wisdom so i suggest u can try what i do- IGNORE OLDIE GOLDIE.
Some times i indeed wonder if she has come from forest of pandora or whether she is navi!! she doesnt get offended, she has opinions which can offend others and still she is a respected (funnily) seriously big time member of the blog.
so ignore! imo thats best becoz if i started gettting upset (maybe thats what she wants ) she would never stop and i would get irritated becoz have to admit she has eye for details and sometimes real weird questions and nitpicking!
(@oldie goldie i knw u wont take offence u are a sweetheart )
@ ANU why are you feeling apologetic when Oldgold has never ever felt the need despite having offended many people on this blog by nitpicking over tiny things with an eye to keep “her agenda afloat”.
If it were ”REAL OPINION” as such as you pointed out, i would not have bothered to get in to this nitpicking myself, but this is really a facade used to attack a particular ”STAR”.
Satyam
How are you?
It’s just from your post that I have come to know about “Dabangg”. On 12/9/10, Sunday, I got finally two tickets of around 8:30 pm from one of a multiplex and then on that very evening we (me & my brother) have watched the movie. The movie was really great. It was an action based movie and I have truly enjoyed watching it.
My calculation on Dabangg->
55% Action + 12% Dialogues + 13% Comedy + 10% Story + 10% Song = DABANGG
just wondering how the footfalls for a films are calculated. I am not confident of the way you have done it. eg. Don’s opening in 2006 was around 24cr, while Ravan did slightly lesser numbers in 2010. i.e 4 yrs later. But still as per your data more number of people saw Ravan than Don. How does that happen?
Another data point is Don’s opening was more than 70% of the record (Krish 2) at that time but Ravan is not even 30% of of the record during its release. So how could more people have seen Ravan in week1 than Don in week1?
arun if u go deep into yakuza’s ways u will find even more glitches…he has really good imagination…his sole purpose of evry post is to downgrade srk…just ignore him..
Doga,
Even 22 crores sounds optimistic. If it indeed is 22 crores, thats not bad at all. My hunch is it is more like 20 crores and second week will be 30 crores at the most.
“King’s Speech” Wins Toronto’s Audience Award; “Incendies” Takes Canadian Prize
by Peter Knegt
“Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech” and Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies” were among the big winners at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival’s awards ceremony. At a brunch at the Intercontinental Hotel on Front Street this afternoon, a variety of prizes were announced, with “Speech” taking the top audience prize and “Incendies” the top juried prize.
“I am absolutely thrilled,” “Speech” director Tom Hooper said in a statement that was read at the ceremony. “The fact that the award is voted exclusively by audiences makes this award especially special. Holding the world premiere here was such a privilege. On behalf of all the cast and crew, I want to thank TIFF and the festival audience.”
“Speech” won the festival’s overall audience award, with Justin Chadwick’s “The First Grader” the runner-up. Audience awards specific to documentary and genre subsection Midnight Madness went to Sturla Gunnarsson’s “Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie” and Jim Mickle’s “Stake Land,” respectively.
Upon taking the stage to begin the ceremony, TIFF CEO Piers Handling noted the impressive array of Canadian films this year, echoed in how honored the winners of the festival’s Canadian-centric awards.
“This is a huge honor,” Deborah Chow, winner of the $15,000 SKYY Vodka Award For Best Canadian First Feature Film. “It was honor even to get into the festival, let alone win an award. And I need to thank [award sponsor] SKYY Vodka, not just for this award but for saving me for having to work at Starbucks last weekend.”
“It was a huge honor to be part of the Canadian selection this year,” Denis Villeneuve said after winning for the best Canadian feature award (which comes with a $30,000 prize), noting how much he appreciated the work of Xavier Dolan, Richard J. Lewis, Bruce McDonald and Denis Cote, among others, in this year’s festival. “I don’t work at Starbucks but the federal Canadian income tax agencies keep calling me about 2009, so I thank TIFF for not making me have to go to jail next week.”
The complete list of winners at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival are below. Check out indieWIRE‘s roundup of critical reaction from the festival here.
Cadillac People’s Choice Award:
The King’s Speech
Directed by Tom Hooper
Runner-Up The First Grader
directed by Justin Chadwick
Cadillac People’s Choice Award For Documentary:
Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie
Directed by Sturla Gunnarsson
Runner-Up: Nostalgia For The Light
Directed by Patricio Guzmán
Cadillac People’s Choice Award For Midnight Madness:
Stake Land
Directed by Jim Mickle
Runner-Up: Fubar II
Directed by Michael Dowse
City of Toronto and Astral Media’s The Movie Network Award Award For Best Canadian Feature Film:
Incendies
directed by Denis Villeneuve
SKYY Vodka Award For Best Canadian First Feature Film:
The High Cost of Living
directed by Deborah Chow
Prizes of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Special Presentations Section:
L’Amour Fou
directed by Pierre Thoretton
Prizes of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery Section:
Beautiful Boy
directed by Shawn Ku
Award For Best Canadian Short Film:
Les fleurs de l’âge (Little Flowers)
directed by Vincent Biron, Montreal, Canada
Aside from the verdict on the Babri Masjid case, the Dabangg factor is causing panic among the producers of the film, who are pumping in Rs 5 crore extra for its publicity
Subhash K Jha
Posted On Monday, September 20, 2010 at 02:28:31 AM
The makers of Anjaana Anjaani are at present a worried lot. In a four-hour, closed-door meeting on Saturday afternoon, between Sajid Nadiadwala and the film’s co-producers, Eros Entertainment, two definite realisations were as follows: there is no point in postponing the release date despite the Babri Masjid verdict; and that Dabangg is not disappearing from theatres.
As a heads-up to this, producer Sajid Nadiadwala has now decided to pump in approximately Rs 5 crore extra into the publicity and marketing machinery of his product.
Says a source close to Anjaana Anjaani, “We slotted our film two weeks after Dabangg. We never thought it would continue to be this strong. Huge amounts of money and time are going into the marketing of Anjaana Anjaani. Ranbir and Priyanka are doing their publicity events on a war footing.”
Director Siddharth Anand played down these anxieties though. “I’d like to believe that the success of Dabangg means good news and better business for Anjaana Anjaani.
People are now in the mood to return to theatres. And who says two films can’t do well simultaneously? In 2006, there were big films one after the other every two weeks. And all of them did well.
God willing, people would want to watch our film because after Dabangg they’re in the mood to visit theatres.”
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala confirms, “We did consider withdrawing Anjaana Anjaani because the court’s decision on Babri Masjid-Ayodhya is on the day of our release.
Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor during the promotion of Anjaana Anjaani
However the international prints to countries as far-flung as Germany have already gone. We’ve spent a fortune on marketing and publicity. Our hoardings are up.
There are 40 of them in Mumbai and we’ve the right to have them up for a limited period. Yes, we are spending a substantially extra amount on promotions this week, because it is impossible to hold back the release.
The producers are also piggy-backing on the Commonwealth Games, slated for October 3. “We will have dignitaries from all over the world. The government can’t afford any untoward incident in the country,” says Sajid.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Indian conglomerate Sahara India Pariwar is in exploratory talks to buy MGM for more than $2 billion, according to one source:
This person cautioned that the talks were at an early stage, and that MGM and its stakeholders haven’t yet shown substantial interest in doing a deal with Sahara, a Lucknow-based company whose businesses, according to its website, include TV and film.
After Spyglass execs Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum signed a non-binding letter of intent September 8 to take over beleaguered MGM as co-chairmen and co-CEOs, on September 15, for the seventh time MGM’s lenders agreed to extend the forbearance period and not seek remedies in connection with the nonpayment of interest and principal due on the company’s bank debt, including the revolving credit facility, until October 29, 2010, the studio reported:
The lenders took this action in support of the Company’s ongoing efforts to evaluate long-term strategic alternatives to maximize value for its stakeholders. MGM appreciates the continued support of its lender group throughout this process.
One of the great, satisfying page-turners is James M. Cain’s 1941 Mildred Pierce, which was turned into an excellent 1945 movie starring Joan Crawford. (Several of Cain’s hardboiled novels worked as films, including The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity). Well, the Killer team of Christine Vachon and Todd Haynes have adapted the novel into a five-part HBO mini-series. The trailer ran before HBO’s debut of Boardwalk Empire Sunday night.
Kareena Kapoor opposite Salman Khan in ‘Bodyguard’
By Taran Adarsh, September 20, 2010 – 08:40 IST
It’s confirmed! Kareena Kapoor will star opposite Salman Khan in brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri’s next project, a remake of the Malayalam hit BODYGUARD. There was speculation that Katrina Kaif would essay the lead role, but Atul clarifies, “See, we have already decided to release our film during the Eid week next year. Since Katrina has committed her dates to other projects, we decided to cast an actor whose dates would match with Salman’s and would facilitate the release of the film during the festive week next year.”
However, this combo – Salman and Kareena – hasn’t delivered a Hit in the past. “It all depends on the film and how the audience takes to it. Why blame a pair for its failure? Besides, they may be third time lucky with my film,” Atul smiles. Meanwhile, Atul is keen on calling his film BODYGUARD, not MY LOVE STORY or MERI LOVE STORY. Directed by Siddique, the film has music by Pritam.
Hardly exciting news…I would much prefer to see Salman with Puri Jagganath, Prabhu Devaa (who has now signed Akki and not Abhishek?) and Abhinav Kashyap!
‘Anjaana Anjaani’ postponed to next week?
By Taran Adarsh, September 20, 2010 – 08:27 IST
Speculation is rife that Sajid Nadiadwala, the producer of ANJAANA ANJAANI, has decided to push the film ahead by one week, since the judgement on Ayodhya dispute is expected on September 24, which coincides with the release date of the film. However, the enterprising producer has decided to take a call – whether to release the film on September 24 or push it ahead by one week – on Monday [today], after consulting his distributors. Watch this space for further developments!
Everyone was in a mood to have fun at Shabana Azmi’s 60th birthday celebration held at a posh hotel. Not to miss the moment was Abhishek Bachchan who danced away merrily with Tabu on the latest chartbuster Munni badnam hui, from Salman Khan’s superhit Dabangg. Aby’s baby did all the desi grooves with enthusiasm while Tabu did the Munni jig with verve. Wifey Aishwarya Rai Bachchan watched on sportingly and cheered the duo!
Dabangg had an approx 23.75 crore nett weekend taking its ten day total to 104 crore nett. The drop is around 51-52% from first weekend. The territorial breakdown was as follows.
The Town was the talk of the box office over the weekend, Easy A received a lot of attention, Devil wasn’t elevated, and Alpha and Omega didn’t hunt. Overall business was a bit lower than the same weekend last year when Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs led.
Striking approximately 3,500 screens at 2,861 locations, The Town hauled in an estimated $23.8 million, earning the comparison its marketing made to The Departed. The latter blazed onto the scene with $26.9 million on around 4,200 screens at 3,017 locations nearly four years ago (though its attendance was about 37 percent greater than The Town’s). Like Departed, The Town busted out of its genre norm, grossing more in one weekend than the final grosses of Gone Baby Gone, Reindeer Games and Pride & Glory and more than doubling the opening weekend of We Own the Night. Its estimated initial attendance was in the realm of Cop Land and Sleepers.
Upon closer inspection, The Town’s marketing campaign sizzled more than its Departed references and the movie’s nondescript title and poster would imply. Television ads hit the right crime thriller notes, promising high dramatic stakes and action, and were more energetic and to the point than the movie’s trailer. The ads punched up the proceedings by making the picture look (not just sound) like The Departed and by using the Eminem song “Not Afraid.” Distributor Warner Bros.’ exit polling indicated that 55 percent of The Town’s audience was male and 75 percent was aged 25 years and older, skewing older and more male than The Departed.
In second, Easy A aced its first weekend with an estimated $18.2 million on close to 3,500 screens at 2,856 locations. That was more than Jennifer’s Body (which debuted on the same weekend last year) made in its entire run, and it blew away many other comparable titles, including Youth in Revolt, Whip It and Sydney White. It also edged out the openings of The House Bunny, John Tucker Must Die and 10 Things I Hate About You. All told, Easy A had one of the higher-grossing openings for a teen comedy, though its attendance wasn’t in the league of Mean Girls, She’s All That and Superbad. According to distributor Sony Pictures’ research, Easy A’s audience was 67 percent female and 49 percent under 18 years old.
True to its pedestrian title, Devil delivered an average opening by horror standard, grossing an estimated $12.6 million on nearly 3,300 screens at 2,809 locations. Its start was a bit less than Quarantine but about the same as One Missed Call and The Eye among other horror movies. It was also the lowest-grossing opening yet for an M. Night Shyamalan-branded horror movie.
Alpha and Omega packed an estimated $9.2 million on around 3,000 screens at 2,625 locations. 1,625 locations presented the animated feature in the 3D illusion, and they accounted for around 68 percent of the gross. The 3D ticket price premium means that Alpha’s initial attendance was in the same range as Astro Boy, Everyone’s Hero and Happily N’Ever After and was about a quarter of Open Season. Distributor Lionsgate’s reporting showed an audience composition that was 63 percent female and primarily mothers and children. Indicative of Alpha’s tyke appeal was its 80 percent bump from Friday to Saturday, which was even greater than Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on the same weekend last year.
Resident Evil: Afterlife had a second-weekend fall in line with its predecessors. The horror action sequel tumbled 62 percent to an estimated $10.1 million, around 75 percent of which from 3D presentations. The second-weekend drops of the previous movies were, in chronological order, 62 percent, 62 percent and 66 percent. Despite having the highest gross through the ten-day point ($44 million), Afterlife continued to be the least-attended entry in the series.
Meanwhile, Inception saw the smallest decline among nationwide holdovers, easing 28 percent to an estimated $2 million, and its total stands at $285.2 million in 66 days. Its the third movie this year to spend ten weeks in the Top Ten, following Avatar and How to Train Your Dragon.
In milestone news, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse crossed the $300 million mark on its 81st day, while The Expendables passed $100 million on its 36th day.
Kerala Box-Office (September 1 to 16)
Saturday, 18 September , 2010, 16:55
It’s boom time at the Kerala box-office. Ramzan has kick started the theatre collections. All three Ramzan releases- Mohanlal’s Shikar, Mammootty’s Pranchiyettan and the Saint and Lal Jose’s Elsamma Enna Aankutty, have been appreciated and is likely to sail through.
Mohanlal’s Padmakumar directed Shikar, which released on September 9 in Kerala, Chennai and Bangalore has taken extraordinary opening in 110 screens. The film has grossed an astounding Rs 5 crore 47 lakhs in 8 days from 110 screens, which is phenomenal by any yardstick. It would have taken a distributors share of around Rs 2.10 Crore.’ The film is the clear number one at the Kerala box-office this Ramzan.
Way down at number two is Lal Jose directed Elsamma Enna Aankutty, which has grossed Rs 1.54 Crore from 63 releasing centers in Kerala. The film has been appreciated and is sure to be a sleeper hit.
At number three is Mammootty highly raved about Pranchiyettan and the Saint. Ranjith has proved once again that he can make critically acclaimed movies which are different and enjoyable for lovers of good cinema. The film has grossed Rs 1.42 Crore in a week from 61 screens in Kerala. The film made on a shoe string budget and on a single schedule will definitely cover its cost from theatricals and make profits on its satellite and Home video rights.
In the fourth place is Salman Khan’s Dabangg, which opened to full houses in 20 odd screens in Kerala and is a hit. At number five is Vinayan’s Yakshiyum Njanum, which has been shifted to smaller centers.
Great to hear about Mammootty’s film as well – this is the type of cinema that needs to be highlighted in Kerala these days…though on recently seeing Ranjith’s overrated Paleri Manikyam, I’m not sure what to expect.
Shikkar I’ve heard good things about. Revenge-masala more in the vein of Bhramaram than the usual crass stuff.
The most awaited Anjaana Anjaani and Aakrosh are postponed but Khichdi –The Movie and Rajnikant-Aishwarya starrer Robot to stay put
Kunal.M.Shah
Posted On Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 02:09:27 AM
Sajid Nadiadwala has postponed the release date of his next film Anjaana Anjaani in spite of the release being slated this week. The move has been done keeping in mind the court’s decision over the sensitive Babri Masjid controversy
Anjaana Anjaani will now release on October 1 and Aakrosh, initially scheduled for release on October 1, will now be exhibited on October 8. However, the release date of Khichdi–The Movie and Robot remained unchanged.
When contacted, Sajid said, “We had already sent our prints to overseas markets like Australia, America and the UK, but last morning we had a meeting and decided that the least we can do is to change the release date keeping the sentiments in mind. For us, releasing a film is a cause of celebration and we would definitely not like to celebrate on such a day and that’s why Anjaana Anjaani will release on October 1 now.”
Meanwhile, Kumar Mangat, the producer of Aakrosh, said, “Yes, we have postponed the release by one week. It is not a wise decision for two major films to clash on the same day and so we have decided to release the film on October 8.”
However, Vijay Singh of Fox Star Studios, the producers of Khichdi, said, “We are committed to releasing Khichdi on October 1. The tracking research that we are doing shows an extremely positive build-up of awareness and intention to see the film across our core family audiences. The response from the audiences who have seen the film is extremely positive.” They should consult Paul.
Why are people citing the High Court decision for the postponement of their film? Is it a face saving device, or do they really expect so much turmoil and disturbance? It just seems to me that it might become a self-fulfilling prophecy if people talk about it with so much apprehension. I understand that the PM has made some preliminary speeches appealing for calm. At this rate what trust can anyone have that the court’s decision is disinterested and based on legal considerations, if so much trepidation is evidenced by the highest officials of the country?
Some of the articles reporting the postponement of Anjana Anjani say things like, “Now Dabangg has another clear week.” But, if the reason for the postponement is truly fears of public disturbance, how can that possibly benefit Dabangg? The argument is inconsistent.
Anyway, regardless of any film’s box office fate, the whole anticipatory reaction strikes me in a very negative way.
They are all making me nervous too as I’ll be landing in India the next day. Not looking forward to getting stuck at the airport or my taxi being stopped and set on fire (with me in it). LOL!
Oldgold, sincerely please take care, its going to be nervous times ahead, we dont know what to expect. I would just say, be cautious where to visit where not too, m sure ur indian family would guide u properly.
SM,
I dont think AA has anything to worry about as far contending with Dabangg in its thitrd week goes. The apprehension regarding the impending court decision is totally understandeable. One can hope that it wouldnt be so but these issues are always frought with so much tension and pent up emotions and are always exploited by interested parties.
” I understand that the PM has made some preliminary speeches appealing for calm. At this rate what trust can anyone have that the court’s decision is disinterested and based on legal considerations, if so much trepidation is evidenced by the highest officials of the country?”
The comment on Judiciary was not required, and am sure u know better sm what i mean with that. Dont drag or question Judiciary. There is respect and humbleness required when u speak abt court and judiciary.
ps- please google contempt of court, and what can be said what not.
thnx i have said it coz i feel u would understand what i meant, and i that was in blur or in moment typing and not meant. dont mix politics with judiciary.
a remark of Hon’ble Prime Minister should not at any cost be lead to logical conclusion that u derived.
I guess U have never heard of certain cases, like for eg. Indira Gandhi’s election case. u might like to read it. U might like to read Justice Khanna dissent describe monumental by New York Times it self.
So please its a request, i dont think anyone should bring judicairy in the middle like this or question it, i m sure u know better sm.
no i dont mind iamthat u can, its ur fundamental right, given by the constitution of india.
but i just said that for simple info, if anyone knows contempt of courts act. u dont remarks that ordinarily against this institution, fair criticism is not contempt, but just like that is indeed, for any court n the world.
please google that, i dont want to stop, i just want person to be more careful and rather not speculate or create logic into it.
1. get evidence.
2. deliver proper commentary.
3. careful choice of wods.
rest i said that as i thought to inform abt this fundamental principle, rest u know better.
SM: given the sad, bloody history on this issue (as on many others), I think the apprehension is completely justified. I personally don’t think there will be much reaction because whoever loses will appeal to the Supreme Court (i.e. this decision isn’t final), but certainly that doesn’t mean there isn’t cause for concern. And in time, when the Supreme Court issues a verdict, then there will be even more cause for concern.
Rooney, thank you for your legal opinion. You are the lawyer, and I am not. However, let me ask you some questions:
1. How can a statement be “contempt of court” when it is not made in court? That violates the very definition of “contempt of court.”
2. How can a statement that expresses no opinion on a pending judgement be considered contempt of court? What exactly is contemptuous about a non-opinion?
3. How can a statement that others are downgrading the purity of a court’s decision be considered contemptuous, when it is in fact saying that a court’s decision is disinterested and legally based? You need to reread the statement carefully to comprehend it correctly.
4. If you think the Prime Minister of a country cannot be questioned, then what you want isn’t democracy, but tyranny. It looks like you are living in one, so much so that you have forgotten your democratic rights as a citizen.
5. Every day the media in India are full of comments on ongoing court cases, making judgements and condemning people before the evidence has been presented, nor the trial even started. But this is not contempt of court?
6. Finally, however they choose to define it, neither the Indian courts nor the Indian government have any jurisdiction over the internet, and certainly not over internet service providers in other countries.
You misunderstand, Qalandar. I’m not discounting that there is reason for apprehension. But for everyone to assume that there will be disturbances, and to plan accordingly, is a travesty of what a civil society is supposed to be. And those who are supposed to be leaders should be showing the way toward that civil society, instead of accepting an uncivil one as par for the course. This decision (not even the final one) is coming 18 years after the events in question, and even those events didn’t take place in a vacuum. There was a long and painful journey to that point as well. But, in these 18 years, this incident has been used as a justification and excuse for so many other inexcusable and unjustifiable events. Is that in itself not shameful and show a how little in control the authorities are? It is this complacency that I am pointing out.
Re: “But for everyone to assume that there will be disturbances, and to plan accordingly, is a travesty of what a civil society is supposed to be…”
However shameful this is or isn’t, I don’t see how you can blame politicians for trying to prepare for eventualities. Heck, if they DIDN’T do this and something bad happened, the public would be the fist to criticize them for lack of preparedness; and everyone would say that given the history they had no excuse for being caught flat-footed, etc. One must work with the world as it is, even as one strives to change it: I would consider it the height of irresponsibility for politicians and the bureaucracy to NOT be planning for what might happen in the aftermath of the court verdict. That’s like saying we shouldn’t have heigtened security at airports because by doing so, we are accepting that we live in a violent society rather than making society less violent — even as we work toward the latter, we cannot ignore the fact that some people are of a different view.
Re: “And those who are supposed to be leaders should be showing the way toward that civil society, instead of accepting an uncivil one as par for the course.”
I think the public is often quite happy to have an uncivil society (as long as “their” point of view is the one privileged); rather than blame the leaders alone, I think the people also deserve a lot, perhaps even a majority, of the blame.
That isn’t to say politicians don’t deserve some of the blame. For instance, it is farcical for Advani to be saying we should respect the court verdict now — one wishes he had been more responsible and mature doing the Rath Yatra, its aftermath, etc. Even here, however, I do not hold the public blameless: it chooses to have amnesia.
Its not Complacency for that matter but Harsh reality of India and our polity…. It all abt numbers, evoking passions and than riding on it…
India is not all wat we see on net and bollywood or for that matter in idiot box…
India is still coping with Teething problems, may be too long, but Its still dysfunctional Democracy…
But wen u look around the globe than one does marvel at india…
a simple flare up can become big balzing fire and change the euations for ever…
As one can see more and more youth are expressing their religious identity…
I don’t disagree with you; but this action isn’t an isolated one. It is but one in a long series of equally misguided actions; it is that entire process that I find objectionable. As for people being responsible; yes, they are, to an extent; but the ones who divide them and foment divisions and resentments for their own personal gain are no less responsible.
Re: “As for people being responsible; yes, they are, to an extent; but the ones who divide them and foment divisions and resentments for their own personal gain are no less responsible.”
I generally agree with you — but there is no dichotomy between “the people” and “those who divide them”. The politicians are drawn from us, and do stuff because they think it will be popular. The divisions are not created out of thin air by politicians, but are the result of a politics that is subscribed to by the people who support those politicans.
Re: “But, in these 18 years, this incident has been used as a justification and excuse for so many other inexcusable and unjustifiable events. Is that in itself not shameful and show a how little in control the authorities are? It is this complacency that I am pointing out.”
I am not sure I follow. If the authorities are not in control, that isn’t evidence of complacency, but of incompetence. Of course, in some cases (e.g. the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh at the time of the Babri demolition) the authorities were not so much incompetent as complicit — in which case there is no complacency to speak of, only cynicism and dereliction of duty. I am sure both incompetence and cynicism are not in short supply in 2010, any more than they were in 1992, but where’s the complacency.
[Aside: the only complacency I see is in the media: for some time now they have peddled this line that somehow the India of today is radically different than the one of that period, i.e. that we had somehow "moved beyond" Ayodhya etc. etc. Such pats on the back were figments of the imagination, reflective of a mindset formed in urban enclaves, rather than of the worldview of a good many number of people.]
“How can a statement be “contempt of court” when it is not made in court? That violates the very definition of “contempt of court.” ”
its not limited to inside court. its wider and broader, and covers outside events in my interpretation and what i have read,( if wrong correct me q bhai.)
“How can a statement that expresses no opinion on a pending judgement be considered contempt of court? What exactly is contemptuous about a non-opinion?”
this is what u have said-
“At this rate what trust can anyone have that the court’s decision is disinterested and based on legal considerations,…”
you are doubting the trust on the court directly questioning the independence of the bench, of the court, of the judiciary, its enough for contempt, as u based that on the statement made by the Hon’ble prime Minister. I am only saying u dont bring judiciary in to it, u questioned, u lacked trust, faith in court, which is to pass judgement.
3.”How can a statement that others are downgrading the purity of a court’s decision be considered contemptuous, when it is in fact saying that a court’s decision is disinterested and legally based? You need to reread the statement carefully to comprehend it correctly.”
ur statement shows, verdict of court is disinterested, and how can one trust is legally based? u at the very core question it. imo
“4.If you think the Prime Minister of a country cannot be questioned, then what you want isn’t democracy, but tyranny. It looks like you are living in one, so much so that you have forgotten your democratic rights as a citizen.”
excuse me sm, u get that wrong, show me where have i stated dont question the Hon;ble Prime Minister?… but if u have misunderstood read that again please yaar, i mean is u r linking a statement by Hon’ble Prime Minister to Judiciary.
question raised bye is on connection and logic that leads u too question judiciary from that , now where i have stated prime minister is immune, and thus what u lead further is infructious.
“5.Every day the media in India are full of comments on ongoing court cases, making judgements and condemning people before the evidence has been presented, nor the trial even started. But this is not contempt of court?”
yup it is imo, and biggest example is jessica Lal Case, did u have had the opportunity to read through the order of suprem court in that case? if not iinform me i would so u the para, and opinion of court on that, and if u arent informed the newspaper and media have got a warning, and they are going on tight rope, and guidelines are going to come soon, and the above judgement clearly has given the warning to media, and that would clear ur doubts, indeed its a contempt, and interference with the democratic, judicial process on union of India.
“Finally, however they choose to define it, neither the Indian courts nor the Indian government have any jurisdiction over the internet, and certainly not over internet service providers in other countries.”
LOL. i said was not only related to indian court nor i said as lawyer, but as a friend who is a lawyer who might not be knowing about it (may be i shouldnt have i guess) that u might be living in any country, always be careful about ur remarks.
Also one more thing sm m cool about it, my only concern is i didnt found ur logic of connectivity material.
And to be frank, i found that jurisdiction thing of internet quite interesting but think broad, than narrow that would be a request.
Re: “however they choose to define it, neither the Indian courts nor the Indian government have any jurisdiction over the internet…”
I do not agree with this. No country has accepted that it does NOT have jurisdiction over the internet; i.e. the Indian courts/government ABSOLUTELY “have…jurisdiction over the internet” — for instance, that is precisely how and why all countries are able to regulate pornography, and countries like India are able to regulate certain political issues (e.g. a website that showed J&K as part of Pakistan falls within the GoI’s jurisdiction). Perhaps what you mean is that they can’t stop that website from displaying xyz material elsewhere in the world; if so, that is completely true, but no different from the fact that GoI cannot stop me from stealing in another country (doesn’t mean it doesn’t have jurisdiction over me if I steal in India, or if I sit in Dubai and set up a fraudulent company there to scam indians over the internet).
Re: “…and certainly not over internet service providers in other countries…”
I do not know the answer to this with respect to India, but the question is not so simple as one might think. Countries do claim jurisdiction over crimes and things that happen in other countries, and can be prosecuted for it. For instance, if you set up a child porn site in Europe and have American subscribers, you absolutely can be prosecuted in America. It’s a separate question as to whether this is a worthwhile use of American resources, as America might not be able to get its hands on the relevant people (i.e. in practice American and European authorities will probably cooperate to bring the site down and punish those behind it), but there is no dispute that America and American courts do claim jurisdiction over things/events that are not located within American territory (i.e. jurisdiction is not the same as territorial sovereignty; the reverse is also true: the Indian embassy in DC is located within the US, but American courts do not have jurisdiction over most things that occur inside).
This is true outside the criminal context too: for instance, Bosnian victims of Serb violence successfully maintained a CIVIL suit against Radovan Karadzic in American courts. I am pretty confident one can maintain a CIVIL suit for antitrust violations, market manipulation, price fixing etc. against companies that are not located in the USA, as long as those companies can reasonably foresee the effects within America of their international activities.
LOL, OK, Qalandar, but since I am neither running a child pornography ring nor anti trust violations, etc., I think I am correct in saying that the Indian government can’t prosecute me for statements I make on the internet, via an ISP that is not answerable to them.
Frankly I’d rather get back to fights about BOI vs. IBOS numbers, and total collections vs “trending”.
Re: “I think I am correct in saying that the Indian government can’t prosecute me for statements I make on the internet, via an ISP that is not answerable to them.”
Sure — but that has nothing to do with the INTERNET or your ISP address. The Indian government cannot prosecute you for most sorts of statements, as the constitutional guarantee of free speech protects those, whether those statements are made on the internet or anywhere else (e.g. whether you say “Manmohan Singh is an idiot” online or in print sitting in India, that statement is protected). [Contempt proceedings are an exception to free speech protections, but IF your speech constituted contempt in the eyes of the Indian judiciary, the fact that it was made on the internet WOULD NOT protect you (as a practical matter, they don't care or you're abraod, but it is that and NOT the internet/ISP that is the relevant issue). Thus, Arundhati Roy was once pulled up for contempt: she would have been in just as much trouble if her statement had been made in NYC, or blogged online on an American site using a USA-based ISP.] My point is simply that it is not the internet/ISP-address that protects you, but something else. The law treats the internet as simply a medium (and hence, as no different from TV, print, or other kinds of media).
Rooney: You have quoted me as saying: “this is what u have said-
“At this rate what trust can anyone have that the court’s decision is disinterested and based on legal considerations,…”
but you left out the preceding sentences, where I said, “It just seems to me that it might become a self-fulfilling prophecy if people talk about it with so much apprehension. I understand that the PM has made some preliminary speeches appealing for calm. At this rate what trust can anyone have that the court’s decision is disinterested and based on legal considerations, if so much trepidation is evidenced by the highest officials of the country?”
If the PM is just advising everyone to increase security and brace for disturbances, without at the same time saying that the court’s verdict must be respected, whatever it is, then in my view, he is implicitly giving credibility to the idea that the way to act if one does not agree with a court decision is to react violently. Well, why would people react violently? Because they believe that they have bot received a just verdict. But why would they think that? Either because they do not trust the process (having seen too many instances where the verdict was influenced by outside factors — e.g., the 1984 Sikh massacre case) or because they can overturn a court verdict through violence. Neither argument shows any trust in the court’s proceedings. And a PM who concedes such violence as a foregone conclusion, without vigorously reinforcing the sanctity of the court’s decision, will in fact lead people to question the fairness or disinterestedness of the court’s actions. So I am not the one making this statement; it is a consequence of the government’s actions.
At any rate, you show a touching trust in the judiciary’s impartiality — a trust that I used to share, but no longer.
As for thinking broadly, I am doing just that. I am thinking very broadly in time as well as space, and considering many, many actions and events, and seeing what kind of pattern they make.
cool sm, as i have always stated politics doesnt interest me on internet forums so i guess the topic btw u and me as far as i see, u got what i wanted to say and i understand ur persperctive and respect that.
indeed u have seen many things in life and i respect that, i have only read them in books.
but still disagree when u bring in court, though at human level i understand but nope not as professional, but as a person who believes in rule of law to be supreme i disagree, as a person who believes in procedure established by law (as oppose to american term due process of law) the indian term is wider and i do believe.
completely agree… and more so if someone really wants to know how judiciary is not just legal interpretation but one’s own set of bias and prejudices and wat not, thn plz go thru arun shouries book on indian judicial system…
Re: “one’s own set of bias and prejudices and wat not, thn plz go thru arun shouries book on indian judicial system…”
No judiciary can be insulated from personal biases and prejudices — no human endeavor can, and especially a field that deals in and with people and their actions (historiography is one of those disciplines: e.g. Arun Shourie’s own writings on Ambedkar are rather obviously biased)…For instance, in the US certain circuit (i.e. federal appellate) courts are known to be very liberal (e.g. Ninth), others are known to be very conservative (e.g. Fourth), and it absolutely makes a difference if a case on the constitutionality of an abortion statute comes up in one or the other. So I don’t really think India is unique on that front — but there are probably greater opportunities of corruption-with-impunity in India (but that is true of many aspects of Indian life, and is hardly unique to the judiciary; e.g. I would assume there are more instances of financial corruption in the Delhi police than in the London police; or Indian civil service than in civil servants in Japan).
Sorry to get side-tracked btw. Unfortunately the lawyer in me and rooney couldn’t resist.
[On the substantive point re: contempt, I think the contempt laws are just too broad in India, and have been used to stifle dissent. More accurately, it is difficult to police the line between "dissent" and "contempt"].
Tuesday 21st September 2010 16.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Dabangg is the 17th all time blockbuster in the history of Hindi cinema. The last three years have seen an all time blockbuster every year reminding one of the 1993-2001 period when there was an all timer nearly every year. Dabangg is likely to do a distributor share of 80 crore. Below are the seventeen all time blockbusters and Salman Khan has four films in the list.
Kismet (1943)
Rattan (1944)
Mother India (1957)
Mughal – E – Azam (1960)
Jai Santoshi Maa (1975)
Sholay (1975)
Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)
Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989)
Aankhen (1993)
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994)
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Raja Hindustani (1996)
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Gadar Ek Prem Katha (2001)
Ghajini (2008)
Three Idiots (2009)
DABANGG (2010)
this is quite frankly a ridiculous list but par for the course for BOI. A number of Bachchan films should be here. To not have MKS on it and to include KKHH for example is either very stupid or very dishonest. But hey it’s BOI and the anti-Bachchan attitude is again obvious. The only Bachchan there is Sholay! Leaving aside KKHH at least a few more on the list are not all time blockbusters (including Dabangg.. unless it really surprises with the final gross..). This is a junk list.
BOI is biased or anti-amitabh,what a stupid list wher were BOI in 70s and 80s maybe they were day dreaming in venus or mars…stupid list …crap as usual from boi
Well, the BOI hogwash continues. They obviously cannot pull wool over anyone’s eyes when it comes to contemporary ATBBs. But to totally ignore Coolie (which was a hurricane), MKS, even AmarAkbarAnthony, that speaks volumes about the anti-Bachchan bias of this site. WTF has Bachchan done to deserve this? It was understandable when SRK was trying to go one-up on Bachchan circa 2005-6, but since the arrival of Aamir (and now Salman), this site should really try its best to be neutral. First Ghajini/3I and now Dabanng now clearly demonstrate that there is no ‘single superstar’ rule in Bollywood anymore. BOI shud quit this anti-Bachchan bias immediately.
They can’t even get stability in numbers, and keep changing figures (often revising them downwards) on films (e.g. Om Shanti Om). Second, the site also has an anti-Aamir bias: it is an old game to increase the selling price of his films so much that no matter how much a film like Ghajini makes, it is not termed a blockbuster — they certainly did this with Ghajini and in the year-end lists. A similar thing happens with Abhishek films, where it is even more puzzling: if he is as much of a nobody as BOI seems to believe, why on earth are his films being sold for gazillions?!
Its like a fisherman plugging holes to keep the boat afloat. Their SRK loveboat is sinking with the collective leakage of all the holes in all their numbers for other stars. They could get away with the anti BigB bias, because of the checkered data from the 70s/80s. The enormity and clarity of BO figures at present leaves them with no option but to report them fairly, despite their constant efforts to do otherwise.
But, unfortunately, there really arent any other neutral or credible sites either.
Re: “It was understandable when SRK was trying to go one-up on Bachchan circa 2005″
Not really. i.e. it was understandable if one believes that BOI is a pro-SRK site. But not if one believes (as I do) that it is an anti-Bachchan one, or at least that the anti-Bachchan urge overrides all other considerations.
The glaring gap in the 1975-1985 period in their list is proof enough of their anti-Bachchan bias. A period which gave some of the most commercially and critically successful movies of bwood is totally ignored by them. Its like a blind man that never saw the glitter of the golden age.
Qalandar, you make a good point…BOI tries to be clever with their biases, but anyone who has observed their verdicts over the last few years can tell, that they have some sort of an agenda against the bachchan which they fulfill by erasing Amitabh’s stupendous achievements on one hand while Abhishek is compared unfairly against his peers
How is it that there are more ATBB’s since the advent of cable television? I thought the argument for the poor performance of the film industry was the various modes of entertainment that are now available to people as opposed to way back when (1950′s through 1980′s)
When you’ve such a grand name, All Time Blockbuster, shouldn’t your standard/criteria be little more strict? IMO an ATB is the one which not only smashes the previous records, but also takes the business to hithro unimaginable levels. By that criteria in the modern era only Sholay, HAHK, Gadar, Ghajini (if someone wants to be very strict even these 2 Gs might find it difficult to find a place on such a list) and 3I qualify as such. Next ATB will have to do 250 cr+ business.
Absolutely agree. I think Ghajini is probably a BB now. ATB is pushing it a tad. 3 Idiots deserves a slot for sure.
Very ridiculous list – lop-sided for the 90′s and 00′s.
‘Dabangg’ collects Rs. 3.15 cr. on Monday, total: Rs. 107.65 cr. nett
By Taran Adarsh, September 21, 2010 – 14:19 IST
DABANGG continues to perform well on weekdays as well. The film collected approx. Rs. 3.15 cr. on Monday, taking the 10-day total to approx. Rs. 107.65 cr. nett. With ANJAANA ANJAANI getting pushed ahead by one week, the DABANGG wave is expected to spill over to the third weekend as well.
DABANGG should stand at a total of Rs. 115 cr. to Rs. 117 cr. nett at the end of Week 2, if it continues the momentum on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Staggering performance, but I am a bit disappointed (“disappointed” is perhaps too strong a word given that it has made so much more than anyone expected) at the trending — I had thought it would make somewhat more than 35-37 crores in week 2.
I really wasnt expecting a 3I repeat here vis-a-vis trending. Dabanng is clearly an average movie at best, somehow resurrected by Salman’s larger than life persona. Salman has done what a Amitabh or Dharmendra or even Sunny Deol has done in their ATBBs.
IMHO, Sunny was the only hero in Y2K who cudve convincingly essayed the role of the yamla jat in Gadar. The movie totally distintigrates in the final 30mins, but was held up entirely due to Sunny. I ought to give it to Sunny just because of that.
`Dabangg has turned Bollywood wisdom on its head’ (TOI)
MUMBAI: How does one explain the stupendous success of a film like Dabangg, which is a cross between a Dharmendra and a Rajnikant movie? Why has the Salman starrer grossed more money than Aamir Khan’s `Three Idiots’ and Prakash Jha’s `Raajneeti’, which have far superior content? What has endeared it to the urban multiplex audience despite being aimed at small-town India?
The answer lies in the fact that it is an unpretentious entertainer rooted in Indian reality, say directors Mahesh Bhatt and Sudhir Mishra. “ Dabangg (fearless) reclaimed the space that Hindi films had ceded to Bhojpuri films because of the metrocentric sensibility of Bollywood directors,” explained Bhatt.
Mishra, known for acclaimed films such as `Dharavi’, `Chameli’ and `Hazaron Khwaishen Aisi’ said, “Our directors are living in their heads in America, they are ashamed of making Hindi films.” Big films, according to him, come from Indian reality “but of late, directors who come from Bollywood families have abdicated this space to small-town boys such as Vishal Bharadwaj, Raju Hirani and Anurag and Abhinav Kashyap.”
Bhatt said, “Just as Indian cinema was patting itself on its back for having grown up, the whole thing has been turned upside down!”
Explaining why the urban audience loved the film, Bhatt said, “The sophistication of our metro viewers is skin deep. Below the surface, we are all unabashed lovers of the `mela’, and this film has that carnival sensibility. It has met that elemental appetite.”
Alankrita Srivastava, Prakash Jha’s assistant whose debut film, `Turning 30′, is under post-production, went to see `Dabangg’ with her friends expecting nothing more than the filmi equivalent of a `nautanki’ (folk theatre). “We went to be entertained by Salman Khan and he did not disappoint us,” she said.“Of course, there are gaps in the story and awkward moments in the film but no one was looking for the negatives.”
“This is not my type of film but I made an exception for `Dabangg’ being a former Salman fan. His appeal lies in the fact that he retains that unaffected and unsophisticated character of a `tapori’ (streetside ruffian),” said Shrivastava.
Director Madhur Bhandarkar, who saw the film at Bandra’s Gaiety theatre, said Salman has struck a chord with the masses as well as classes with his uninhibited performance. “Fans went hysterical, clapping and whistling at Salman’s lines. The last films I saw getting such reaction were `Gadar’ and `Lagaan’,” said the director who shot to fame with `Chandni bar’.
Paying tribute to Salman’s prowess and as star, Bhatt said, “A weak character cannot carry a strong plot but a strong character can carry a weak plot.” Indeed, even those who panned the film agreed that Salman has played the role of a corrupt but lovable cop with abandon.
The charm of the film was that it was an unapologetic and unabashed Salman starrer which went the whole hog, said Mishra. Bhatt admired the single mindedness and audacity of the filmmaker, Abhinav Kashyap.
The pre-release publicity of the film and the fact that it delivered what it promised — a total Salman Khan experience — also played its part in Dabangg’s success, said Shrivastava.
However, film critic Deepa Gahlot does not think much of `Dabangg’ and dismisses it “a jazzed-up B-grade Bollywood film which Mithun Chakaraborty did by the dozen”. “It is only that this generation has grown up without watching such films.”
Bhatt and the other directors say the success of the film all over India shows that it has connected with the people. “It is very easy to fool the high-brow audience but difficult to entertain the masses,” said Bhatt.
“Why has the Salman starrer grossed more money than Aamir Khan’s `Three Idiots’ and Prakash Jha’s `Raajneeti’, which have far superior content? ”
And thus continues the general media hogwash against 3I (and by extension Aamir Khan) as well!! Arre bhaiya, 200 karore ka pahaad nazar nahi aata kya??
“…was held up entirely due to Sunny. I ought to give it to Sunny just because of that.”
But that’s not quite the same as what Dabangg amounts to. Dabangg is not about the film, it is about Salman’s persona, there’s no question of a film being bettered because of a star’s efforts here because the film exists only to service the star. Gadar is not “about” Sunny Deol, it actually does have a plot and “point” to the proceedings outside of its star’s sheer presence.
Gadar belongs entirely to Sunny Deol. It is a film that is unconceivable without Sunny. I remember when he won the Screen Award, the producer went to take the trophy on stage and said that the film would have never been made without Sunny. Anil Sharma also said it would have been impossible to make the film without Sunny. I don’t think the film would have even been believable without Deol. And it’s not only about the final 30 mins I am talking about.
Let me end the discussion with Qalandar and Rooney by quoting the man himself:
BeingSalmanKhan
hindu muslim sikh isahi sab hai bhai bhai. Na ladna na jhagadna bus ek doosare se pyaar karna. Hum sab saath saath hai 22 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®
Few can have lived that ideal more completely than Salman Khan’s own family. Even in Bollywood, his family is more the exception than the rule, as close to the mosaic of India as one can find… in a sense it is fitting that he keeps the banner of cinematic populism (a populism, I might add, that is not jingoistic, nasty, or mean, relative to some other populisms-in-film that come to mind) flying…
Can’t speak for sm, but among the recent ones I was thinking of films like Partner, Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, which aren’t nasty in the way that comedies like Kya Kool Hain Hum, De Dhanan Dhan or Kambakht Ishq are — for instance the sexism is dialed down in the former. His action films I don’t remember all too well, but I certainly have the impression that they were less jingoistic than, say, the Sunny Deol films, or films like Bobby Deol’s Kranti (i.e. the Salman actioners were more old school). Even something like Dabangg, which I have criticized for being rather sexist, is assuredly less so than many of the overtly multiplex-ish actioners like Race, Cash, etc. Wanted I believe was an outlier (haven’t seen Veer). Other films that seem more liberal (than, e.g., a Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or even an I Hate Love Stories) include Mein aur Mrs. Khanna; Jaaneman; Phir Milenge.
A very fine list, Qalandar. Even Dabangg actually has a more self-respecting heroine (within a patriarchal structure) than many more “progressive” films. Partner actually has quite a subversively anti-patriarchal message embedded among the comedy. Similarly TNBP explicitly advocates religious harmony, and the idea that members of all religions are part of one human family. Veer has a hero who appeals to the heroine’s sense of justice, rather than to her love of him, to do the right thing. And the greater and explicit. theme of Veer is itself that India as a country must unite and not let itself be divided along communal and caste lines. I am puzzled that you think Main aur Mrs. Khanna was “liberal”. But even No Entry was notable for NOT being a “sex comedy” — i.e., its humor derived from devotedly monogamous men being suspected of being promiscuous, and its women were the intelligent and decisive characters, at whose mercy the bumbling male characters were (however there was one gratuitous slap that was entirely out of place to this viewpoint). In both Saajan and Dabangg, there were disabled characters leading full, productive lives. There are many such subtle portrayals.
For you, maybe. But we all watch films for different reasons. I merely explained what the appeal of these films are for me. If we are accepting that people watch the Dharma/YRF type of films to revel in their brand name display, for example, then this seems an equally valid basis for me. Or if someone watches for the quality of the explosions, or the oomphness of the female leads.
Yes, but I’m saying that the “critical approach” itself is very subjective. The criteria for “good cinema” are a subjective determination. Look at that very article that was posted in this thread, where various “analysts” are twisting themselves in knots to explain why Dabangg is doing as well as it is. When one of them talks about Hindi films “finally growing up” what does that mean? Is showing more sex and naked bodies evidence of “growing up”? Many western film critics think all Indian films have a “naive” world view, because they all have happy endings. Even disregarding the sweeping generalization, don’t most commercial films anywhere in the world have happy endings? If Dabangg “has no story”, and this is to its detriment, then what of the discussion we had here many months ago, wherein it was declared that a “narrative” is not necessary for a good film? (it may have been in the Avatar discussions) Or, to give a more accessible example, most Indian films have heroes who are without flaws. Their conflicts are purely external, and they prove their heroism by overcoming these external obstacles. But, nowadays at least, most American films have protagonists (not “heroes”) who have internal flaws as well as external conflicts, and they must overcome both to reach a satisfactory endings. But the Indian film “hero” derives directly from the “Nayak” tradition of the great Indian epics, which still informs most popular entertainment. Is this then not a culturally specific value system on what determines a “good” story? I think the evaluation of Indian films by the standards of “good cinema” developed in a completely different cinematic tradition presents many pitfalls, and must be approached with great caution.
Nothing you say can be debated, obviously, (I should say other than offering my very subjective opinion that most of the films Q listed there are very poor, I never offered reasons or expanded on what I found bad about them) but if your assumption or insinuation is that I’m not equipped to approach Indian film criticism the way it ought to be because you assume I’m wearing Hollywood-goggles then I’m not sure how to respond to that. Other than to say I think you’re wrong.
I wasn’t referring to you personally, and I’m sorry if that’s how it came off. I was referring to the kind of critics, both Indian and non-Indian, who do approach Indian films with Hollywood goggles, as you put it, and seem incapable of seeing or understanding a different approach to either film making or story telling, except what they have been indoctrinated into as “the” way. I’m also referring to amateur critics (which is to say, North Americans who have discovered Bollywood films, and even enjoy them, but nevertheless judge everything they see through the prism of what is “normal” in their own culture).
I just reread my comment above, and I’m truly puzzled why you think it was referring to you, when I was giving specific examples of the way certain critiquing approaches may not apply to Indian/Hindi films.
“Yes, this is exactly why I like him and his films.”—Liking someone because “Few can have lived that ideal more completely than Salman Khan’s own family”—is fine and understandable!
But liking someones “acting” and “filmography” because of the commendable attitude of his “family” is a bit misplaced.
And liking him enuf to have loved veergati, dil ne jise apna kaha (and not having watched agneepath and bahchan heyday films)–is “commendable”.
lol
“LOL, OK, Qalandar, but since I am neither running a child pornography ring nor anti trust violations, etc., I think I am correct in saying that the Indian government can’t prosecute me for statements I make on the internet, via an ISP that is not answerable to them.”–sm, is on fire—angry young (wo)man! hahaha
I like his films because the values expressed in that statement are often portrayed in his films. I like Veergati for daring to consider the plight of the abandoned “illegitimate” babies who are too many in Indian society.
In any case, the “reason” I was referring to for liking Salman’s films was what Qalandar summarized as “cinematic populism (a populism, I might add, that is not jingoistic, nasty, or mean, relative to some other populisms-in-film that come to mind)”
Well, here’s an interesting take on the postponement of Anjaana Anjaani:
allusirish
The buzz in Bombay trade is Anjaana Anjaani was pushed by a week cuz single screens weren’t willing to accomodate it. Thx to Dabangg! Whoa! about 12 hours ago via TweetDeck
(Allu Sirish is the son of Allu Arvind, the producer, among other things, of the Hindi Ghajini).
Sm for u an exercpt Manu Sharma case’s by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s Verdict- (i m placing Link at the bottom where u can find full text from the Link
It is not for debate purpose only for information and to show that how media has been informed by the Hon’ble Apex Court to value he process of Law and more. Nowadays i have been enlightened and partly heard from some that newsparer reporters who make an investigation file, with records to show to the court in case they are called in court to justify their articles, to check their truthness of journalism and reporting, as in one of the case recently Court had called upon a file, slowly and steadily m sure Indian Media would have a guidelines and they would have to abide by them, let freedom of speech be there, as a fundamental right of this country but it has to be seen vigilantly its not misused. An accuse has above all a right to fair trial and unbiased trial. No one is above the Law. Law is Supreme.
now u can read relevant paras, its a real long judgement but interesting if u want to read
” In view of our discussion supra we direct expunction of all remarks made by the Trial Judge against the prosecution and by the Division Bench against the Trial Judge. Role of the Media and Press:
145) Mr. Ram Jethmalani, learned senior counsel for the appellant submitted that the appellant-Manu Sharma had been specifically targeted and maligned before and during the proceedings by the media, who proclaimed him as guilty despite even after his acquittal by the Trial Court. He took us through various news items that were published in English & Hindi dailies. He elaborated that “Justice should not only be 222
done, it should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.” This common law rule can not be ignored. 146) Cardozo, one of the great Judges of American Supreme Court in his “Nature of the Judicial Process” observed that the judges are subconsciously influenced by several forces. This Court has expressed a similar view in P.C. Sen In Re: AIR 1970 SC 1821 and Reliance Petrochemicals Ltd. v. Proprietors of Indian Express 1988 (4) SCC 592. 147) There is danger, of serious risk of prejudice if the media exercises an unrestricted and unregulated freedom such that it publishes photographs of the suspects or the accused before the identification parades are constituted or if the media publishes statements which out rightly hold the suspect or the accused guilty even before such an order has been passed by the Court.
148) Despite the significance of the print and electronic media in the present day, it is not only desirable but least that is expected of the persons at the helm of affairs in the field, to ensure that trial by media does not hamper fair investigation by the investigating agency and more importantly does not prejudice the right of defence of the accused in any manner 223
whatsoever. It will amount to travesty of justice if either of this causes impediments in the accepted judicious and fair investigation and trial.
149) In the present case, certain articles and news items appearing in the newspapers immediately after the date of occurrence, did cause certain confusion in the mind of public as to the description and number of the actual assailants/suspects. It is unfortunate that trial by media did, though to a very limited extent, affect the accused, but not tantamount to a prejudice which should weigh with the Court in taking any different view. The freedom of speech protected under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution has to be carefully and cautiously used, so as to avoid interference in the administration of justice and leading to undesirable results in the matters sub judice before the Courts. 150) A Bench of this Court in the case of R.K. Anand v. Delhi High Court (2009) 8 SCC 106, clearly stated it would be a sad day for the court to employ the media for setting its own house in order and the media too would not relish the role of being the snoopers for the Court. Media should perform the acts of journalism and not as a special agency for the Court. 224
The impact of television and newspaper coverage on a person’s reputation by creating a widespread perception of guilt, regardless of any verdict in a Court of law. This will not be fair. Even in the case of M.P. Lohia v. State of W.B. & Anr. (2005) 2 SCC 686, the Court reiterated its earlier view that freedom of speech and expression sometimes may amount to interference with the administration of justice as the articles appearing in the media could be prejudicial, this should not be permitted.
151) Presumption of innocence of an accused is a legal presumption and should not be destroyed at the very threshold through the process of media trial and that too when the investigation is pending. In that event, it will be opposed to the very basic rule of law and would impinge upon the protection granted to an accused under Article 21 of the Constitution [Anukul Chandra Pradhan v. Union of India & Ors. (1996) 6 SCC 354]. It is essential for the maintenance of dignity of Courts and is one of the cardinal principles of rule of law in a free democratic country, that the criticism or even the reporting particularly, in sub judice matters must be 225
subjected to check and balances so as not to interfere with the administration of justice.
152) In the present case, various articles in the print media had appeared even during the pendency of the matter before the High Court which again gave rise to unnecessary controversies and apparently, had an effect of interfering with the administration of criminal justice. We would certainly caution all modes of media to extend their cooperation to ensure fair investigation, trial, defence of accused and non interference in the administration of justice in matters sub judice.
…..
8) No prejudice had been caused to the right of the accused to fair trial and non-furnishing of the copy of one of the ballistic reports had not hampered the ends of justice. The right of the accused to disclosure has not received any set back in the facts and circumstances of the case. 9) The High Court has rightly convicted the other two accused, namely, Amardeep Singh Gill @ Tony Gill and Vikas Yadav after appreciation of the evidence of PWs 30 and 101.
228
10) Normally, the judgment/order should be set aside or affirmed as the case may be but preferably without offering any undesirable comments, disparaging remarks or indications which would impinge upon the dignity and respect of judicial system.
11) Every effort should be made by the print and electronic media to ensure that the distinction between trial by media and informative media should always be maintained. Trial by media should be avoided particularly, at a stage when the suspect is entitled to the constitutional protections. Invasion of his rights is bound to be held as impermissible.”
@gf, satyam and q bhai.. and all lovers of good fellas.. u would be surprised or even shocked and scratch ur head reading this
Earlier today, with the news that Tom Cruise was almost cast in Goodfellas, Christopher Rosen asked “Can you imagine Tom Cruise as a coked up Henry Hill?” Well, yeah, I actually can! This was a Tom Cruise that just came off an Oscar nomination for Born on the Fourth of July. But could Goodfellas have been better with Tom Cruise as Henry Hill? Ahead, Christopher and I try to get to the bottom of that very question via the convenience of Gchat.
Mike: Is it wrong that I think I would have liked Cruise better than Ray Liotta? This is Days of Thunder Cruise! Not jumping on the couch, Knight and Day Cruise.
Christopher: No, it still wouldn’t work. Think about how slimy Liotta is in Goodfellas.
Mike: I think Liotta was the weak link of that movie. I mean, he’s fine, but still the weakest of the main characters.
Christopher: Blasphemy. I love Liotta in Goodfellas.
Mike: Also, think about how slimy Cruise was in Magnolia.
Actually, I’d known about this. Cruise had worked with Scorsese in “The Color of Money” and I’d read years ago that he was offered Goodfellas and rejected it. Think Liotta was fine and the film probably could have done without a movie star, though I think Cruise at that time would have meant something different than he does today to put it lightly…
@SATYAM- please place it appropriately, its off topic
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Banned in Ireland 1971-2000, UK – by Stanley Kubrick (1973-1999), Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Spain
Adapted from Anthony Burgess’s best-selling novel, A Clockwork Orange tells the story of Alex and his gang of violent ‘droogs’ who kill tramps and rape women.
The film is infamous for copycat behaviour, which many thought to be the reason that director Stanley Kubrick withdrew the film in the UK. After his death, his wife Christiane revealed that the actual reason he had the film banned was on the advice of the police after severe threats were made to him and his family.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Banned in Finland (1984), UK, Brazil, Australia, West Germany, Chile, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Singapore and Sweden
Five friends go to visit their Grandfather’s grave after hearing it was vandalised, and pick up a hitchhiker on the way. After the hitchhiker takes a knife and slashes himself and one of the boys, they promptly get rid of him but have to stop for gas at a small sinister looking place which unbeknown to them, is the home of the chainsaw wielding Leatherface.
The film was loosely inspired by real-life murderer Ed Gein who wore human skin, but didn’t use a chainsaw.
The Exorcist (1973)
Banned in the UK, Malaysia and Singapore
One of the most controversial horror films of all time tells the story of a 12 year-old girl possessed by a demonic force and the two priests who try and save her soul.
The film received critical acclaim when it was nominated for 10 Oscars, and won 2 for Best Sound and Best Writing.
The Last Tango in Paris (1973)
Banned in Italy (1972-1986), Singapore, New Zealand, Portugal (1973-1974) and South Korea
A young Parisian woman (Maria Schneider) begins a sordid affair with a middle-aged American businessman (Marlon Brando) who wants their relationship to be based only on sex.
The film became notorious for its butter-lubricated sex scene, which still haunts Schneider, as it wasn’t part of the original script. In the New York Post, 2007, she said ‘I felt humiliated and, to be honest, I felt a little raped . . . Thankfully, there was just one take . . . I never use butter to cook anymore – only olive oil.’
FREAKS (1932)
Banned in Italy, Finland and Ireland
A beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of the circus performers who is also a dwarf, but his friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance.
Director Tod Browning took the exceptional step of casting real people with deformities, rather than using costumes and makeup. His choice shocked audiences of the time and despite the film having since achieved cult classic status, its release resulted in Browning struggling to find work.
first week grosser of all times with the box office figure of Rs 830 million from about 2000 screens.
The film has recovered the distributors’ investment in all territories including the cost of prints and publicity. Its first share at approximately Rs 460 million is more than the total share of Wanted which would be around Rs 350 million.
Week’s delay could affect Anjaana Anjaani
Hiren Kotwani, Hindustan Times
Filmmakers may deny it but industry veterans maintain that postponing a film has not often benefited the movie. Anjaana Anjaani, scheduled for September 24, has been pushed ahead to October 1 because producer Sajid Nadidwala thought it prudent not to open on the day of Ayodhya verdict. But this means a clash with Robot, Rajnikanth’s Rs 150 crore sci-fi adventure. Meanwhile, Aakrosh that was ready to take on the Rajni biggie earlier, has moved to October 8 and will be in competition with Mukesh Bhatt’s Crook – It’s Good To Be Bad.
Veteran trade analyst Vinod Mirani insists that Anjaana Anjaani has not yet generated the expected buzz. “And I don’t think delaying the Priyanka Chopra-Ranbir Kapoor starrer will help either,” he opines.
Shaaminder Malik, a trade expert from North India, echoes the opinion: “Theatre owners had started planning for Anjaana Anjaani this Friday, the delay has dampened what little enthusiasm they had.”
Anjaana AnjaaniFrom a solo release on September 24, to clashing with Robot on October 1, will only add to Anjaana Anjaani’s woes, observes Amod Mehra, another Mumbai-based trade veteran. “Robot won’t be affected, it will be a clean sweep for the Rajni-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan film. But divided viewership over the weekend would mean that fewer people will be catching Anjaana Anjaani,” he says, “Aakrosh won’t suffer since it’s a different kind of cinema.”
Malik is also upbeat about Aakrosh because of Ajay Devgn. “He’s had a good run this year. Besides, the story set against the backdrop of honour killings, and people in the North should connect with the subject following recent reports,” he notes.
However, he points out that the period from Ganpati to Diwali is not great for movie watching. “Not many films do well during this time, since during Navratri, people are caught up with religious festivities,” he reasons. “Hype doesn’t help. If the content is not strong, no amount of promotion can make a hit film.”
this whole story is pretty dumb. A grim subject like Aakrosh or a dubbed Robot will not be the reason why Anjaana Anjaani does not do well (if that turns out to be the case). This film’s target audience is a young multiplex one and I don’t exactly think they are divided between this and a film about honor killings! Gimme a break!
DABANGG is a monumental hit. But not many people outside the film industry know that the film is having an unprecedented run at single screens. So much so that the distributors of most forthcoming releases will have a tough time procuring playing time at single screens, since the DABANGG wave is not ready to subside even after two weeks.
I already posted the tweet from Allu Sirish reporting that AA got postponed because it couldn’t get single screen theaters, since they all wanted to keep Dabangg on. I did wonder why that would be a consideration for a film like AA, though.
Chennai Box-office (Sep 17-19)
Wednesday, 22 September , 2010, 10:02
The CBO is booming as the Arya-Nayanthara romantic comedy Boss Engira Baskaran directed by Rajesh continues to do extraordinary business in its second week. The film is reported to have netted an amazing Rs 10 crore from nearly 275 screens across the state, which is phenomenal by any yardstick.
The marketing by Red Giants has also helped the film turn out to be an instant blockbuster, and it is the clear number one at the CBO by a mile. Many single screens in Tamil Nadu feel that since Enthiran release has been postponed by a week, it is advantage BEB. The status quo is maintained in the second week as Salman Khan’s Dabangg is at number two.
At number three is Drohi . In the fourth place is Vande Matharam , which due to lack of publicity, could not take an opening. Finally in the fifth place is Naan Mahaan Alla , which after peaking is now sliding.
He said, “ First of all I would like to congratulate Salman and the entire team of the film for the thundering success that Dabangg has got. It is an extremely enjoyable film. I really loved it. I thought Salman is excellent in the film. He has really worked hard on the film. He has brought out the character really well. He has played it really consistently right through. He is never out of character.”
Aamir also was all praise for Sonakshi Sinha, the female lead of Dabangg. “She is a great find,” he said.
The moot point is that ANJAANA ANJAANI has been postponed as DABANGG continues to rule at the box office all across the country and it would be difficult for ANJAANA ANJAANI to replace it, as ANJAANA ANJAANI again is a film that has been set in USA with all the trappings of modern society, a trapping with which a small minority of the country may identify with but not the majority population of the country.
[...]
Then can one say that DABANGG has emerged as a film that could create moment of disruption in the history of Hindi films? it seems likely, as there is hardly a soul that has not been entertained by the kitsch in DABANGG and it indeed is a clarion call for the filmmakers to wake up and smell the coffee as audience has clearly sent the message across that the cinema has to bring in reference points of connect to which common man can identify with or else, it would continue to reject the dishes that are being offered to it by the film making fraternity.
September 17, 2010 at 3:30 AM
http://www.livemint.com/2010/09/16204405/Mass-to-class-and-back.html?h=B
September 17, 2010 at 3:32 AM
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dabangg-rocks-boxoffice/681419/0
September 17, 2010 at 3:32 AM
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-x-factor/681436/0
September 17, 2010 at 6:52 AM
81.50 Crore Nett Week One For Dabangg
Friday 17th September 2010 13.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Dabangg grossed 81.50 crore nett approx as per early estimates over its first week after its Thursday looks to be coming in around the 6 crore nett mark.
The film has smashed the first week record of Three Idiots even if we include the paid previews of that film.
The film has set new first week circuit records in Delhi/UP, East Punjab, Bihar, CP Berar, CI, Rajasthan, Assam and Orissa while in Mumbai, West Bengal, Nizam/Andhra, Mysore and Tamil Nadu/Kerala the records of Three Idiots have held up. The collections over the second weekend should also be very good.
September 17, 2010 at 7:42 AM
Finally Three idiots opening week record broken..I was thinking this record will be there for long time …but less than a year and this record is gone…
September 17, 2010 at 7:39 AM
Top 5: ‘Dabangg’ is the biggest opener ever
- By Taran Adarsh, September 17, 2010 – 16:40 IST
Emerges the biggest opener ever of Hindi cinema. The film collected approx. Rs. 81 cr. nett in Week 1, overtaking the Week 1 total of ’3 Idiots’, which held the record of the biggest opener. The film has set new records in every circuit. The Week 1 share of ‘Dabangg’ works out to approx. Rs. 50 cr. Unprecedented!
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/index.html
September 17, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Incredible week 1 performance: most films, even by major stars, would be happy with a COMPLETE box office run of what Dabangg or Three Idiots has managed in one week.
September 17, 2010 at 7:50 AM
Kudos to Dabangg team for this humongous achievement. But one thing has been proven that Three Idiots did fantabulously well in the week days which says a lot about its liking among the audience in general. It would take a combination of lot of things to even get closer to Three Idiots total.
September 17, 2010 at 7:52 AM
Since Dabangg beat the 3 Idiots’ opening weekend by a little over 5 crore, and its week 1 total by about 5 crore, doesn’t that prove that Dabangg also did equally well during the week as 3 Idiots?
September 17, 2010 at 8:07 AM
not really because it started out 5 crores ahead or more over the first weekend. It’s slowed down over the first week compared to 3I. Had it maintained 3I’s pace it should have beaten the film by a greater margin. Dabangg has crossed the 3I total by 1 crore. Let’s include the 3I paid previews, these were 2.5 crores. So you have 3I at 77.5 crores without the paid previws, Dabangg is still a bit behind. But this is not rap on the film. It has done astonishingly well. It is not likely to get to where 3I was because that film was seen multiple times by many in multiplexes. Hard to match that and if Dabangg does it would an even more stunning achievement.
September 17, 2010 at 8:18 AM
LOL!
Anyway….
Wasn’t the first week of 3idiots a holiday week?
Weren’t the prices raised more than any film ever before?
I think that Dabangg didn’t raise the prices of its tickets at all (I’m not very sure though).
September 17, 2010 at 8:24 AM
I believe Dabangg also had more prints if the numbers quoted are to be believed! On raising prices the problem is you can’t just pick one film for doing that unless you’re picking the others also. On the other hand consider the demand where despite raising prices it did that well. Usually you have a film which does not do universally well, or is limited to multiplexes (say your typical SRK starrer once upon a time) and you jack up the returns this way by focusing on the multiplex core. But 3I was doing well across the board. In other words no film creates history just by jacking up prices!
On the Christmas holiday we’ve talked about this before but I am planning to release my home production next Christmas to have a shot at 3I’s numbers as well.
September 17, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Jacked up ticket prices is an economical question of revenue. Why are people simply assuming a higher ticket price relates to higher revenues? What about the demand of a film? What about people turned away from watching the film due to high price? One can’t assume its all revenues increasing.
September 17, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Earlier comments on the issue.
September 17, 2010 at 8:39 AM
LOL
September 17, 2010 at 9:47 AM
It’s very simple logic Satyam.
Both the films are one which people want to watch, say…compared to MNIk
So if its holiday they go to the cinema, if not they go to the office and wait to see when they can.
Whereas whether its a holiday or not..people won’t go.
Secondly, if its a holiday, some people go to the cinema, which they don’t normally do, but the holiday mood energized them.
Simple as that.
Regarding your film…we’ll have to see whether people *want* to watch it or not..otherwise.
And lastly, you cannot be saying that Amir didn’t bank on the holiday season, what with all his *strategies* and *marketing genius* and knowing best and all that, and that he just threw a dart which landed on this day.
September 17, 2010 at 10:01 AM
precisely because it is so simple and no one else has figured this out that I hope to break records with my home production next Christmas.. I am not dumb like all the other stars in the industry and who have been looking for fool’s good around Diwali and so on every year. And my heart goes out to Salman. The Dabangg gross makes it evident that not many people could take time off from work.
September 17, 2010 at 9:57 AM
Correction:
>Whereas whether its a holiday or not..people won’t go.
I wanted to say,
Whereas whether its a holiday or not..people won’t go to watch a film they don’t want to, like MNIK or other SRK films.
September 17, 2010 at 10:12 AM
I agree with you there, about the dumbness, or lack of shrewdness, or whatever you can call it.
This was precisely the point many people were praising about his clever strategy.
Your repetition of ‘your film’ proves you are avoiding the focus.
September 17, 2010 at 8:15 AM
You didn’t get my point as Dabangg collected 49 to 50 crore in its 1st weekend, it made 31 crore in the week days. On the other hand Three Idiots made 41 crore in its first weekend including previews, and went on to make 79 crore in 1st week, which means it made 38 crore in its week days.
September 17, 2010 at 8:18 AM
so 3I was about 7-8 crores behind over the first weekend but ahead by the same number of the week. The differential is even more than I thought.
September 17, 2010 at 8:45 AM
So you’re saying the difference in the weekend was more than I had thought. OK, that makes sense.
September 17, 2010 at 8:22 AM
Why would anyone compare Dabangg to 3 Idiots.(in the long term ie)
One hand we have Good timepass kind of movie other hand Universally Loved movie.
Dabangg was infact ~8-9 cr ahead during weekend and ended up being ~ 2 cr ahead in the end.(If we dont take paid previews of 3I, then the respective numbers will be 10-11 cr and 4-5 cr)
Its losing steam compared to 3 Idiots and ofcourse it will, the latter was a movie which someone saw and then took their family to see it and so on.
But in and of itself it has hugely surpassed expectations in terms of sustaining during the week, because as just a “Entertaining,Timepass movie” it should have fallen more(going by history).
3 Idiots was like a Hurricane never seen before in the Plex era. It collected a whopping ~ 10 cr each day for the first 10 days , ending at 115 cr in 10 days.
Dabangg is a bulldozer, going over 3 Idiots first weekend but then by weekdays it started going 10-8-7-6 and so on.
2nd Weekend will be big(23-25 cr) and by the end of 2nd week should have crossed or reached near Ghajini.
From there its to be seen if it totally goes out of Plexes or not, but Single Screens will keep going for few week, thus ending its run around 130-140 cr or so.
September 17, 2010 at 8:30 AM
Agreed Doga.. the numbers for Dabangg are so stupendous that one doesn’t need to compare it to 3I. But the fan always wants a little more! By the way if it does no more than 130 crores it will be much behind Ghajini trending as well. Ghajini’s actual first week number was 55 crores or so (64 crores was an 8 or 9 day total with paid previews included I think). It then went on to do 115 crores. So it doubled the initial week and then added some which is not a trend one sees these days for most films, even those called hits. To match that trending Dabangg has to do 165-170 crores. At the very least 160. So it still needs to be very stable just to get to Ghajini’s achievement. In any case this is the fairer comparison because the genres are the same.
September 17, 2010 at 8:23 AM
congratulations salman and sm and all!
indeed moment to rejoice!
September 17, 2010 at 8:43 AM
LOL, why congratulate me? I have nothing to do with the film.
September 17, 2010 at 9:17 AM
for being a salman fan! simple yaar.. its never a actor succeeds i always believe when movies like dabanng gets liked its actually more important to appreciate and congratulate the fans imo.
its the fans who makes the stars what they are.
thus dabanng being hit, and ur reporting on SS.. made this for one hell of memorable memory for me
also aaj ka arjun too
September 17, 2010 at 8:30 AM
Leave all these 3 I comparisons.
Right now its about enjoying the record.
BTW it can even do 150 cr.
So 135-150 cr range is there.
September 17, 2010 at 9:50 AM
>Leave all these 3 I comparisons.
Why, doga?
It’s fun.
I’m enjoying both.
September 17, 2010 at 9:20 AM
congrats dogabhai.. i dont get it why do we want to talk 3I.. lets njoy the moment!
funnyly when it was
prerelease- it wont cross 70-80
release day- it wont cross ghajini
post release weekend- it wont cross 3i first week
post fist week – it wont cross 3 I total!
enough i guess we need to live in this moment forget past and future.. letes live in today!
September 17, 2010 at 10:17 AM
http://koimoi.c2w.com/2010/09/17/dabangg-breaks-3-idiots-record/
September 17, 2010 at 10:27 AM
I cant access KOIMOI at work, can any one copy paste here?
Thanks.
September 17, 2010 at 10:28 AM
it seems that even after 9 long months, there are some haters who have not come out of the shock 3 Idiots gave them. wishing for their speedy recovery!!
September 17, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Thank you
September 17, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Here you go, Doga:
Fri, Sep 17 2010 | Published in Box Office Reports, Featured, Komal Nahta
‘Dabangg’ Breaks ‘3 Idiots’ Record!
Komal Nahta
In December 2009, when 3 Idiots had netted Rs. 79.75 crore in the first week in all-India, it was felt that this record would take a long time to be broken or surpassed. For, ‘3 Idiots’ had broken the records of all films released before it at almost every cinema of every centre. Some felt, it would take two to three years for a film to match up to ‘3 Idiots’. Others put the figure at five years at least. But in just less than nine months came along Dabangg and smashed the record of ‘3 Idiots’! That’s the film industry for you – it can throw surprises any time. As against Rs. 79.75 crore collected by the Rajkumar Hirani film, ‘Dabangg’ has netted Rs. 80.05 crore. The Salman Khan starrer may have overtaken the Aamir Khan starrer by just Rs. 30 lakh but the fact is, the first week’s record of ‘3 Idiots’ was broken in less than a year. The first weekend of ‘Dabangg’ (Rs. 47 crore) was far ahead of 3 Idiots (Rs. 41 crore) but the Rs. 6 crore gap became smaller and smaller as the week came to a close. Which means, the collections of ‘Dabangg’ far exceeded those of ‘3 Idiots’ on the first three days of the release week but were less than those of the earlier record holder on days 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the week.
http://koimoi.c2w.com/2010/09/17/dabangg-breaks-3-idiots-record/
Read more: ‘Dabangg’ Breaks ‘3 Idiots’ Record! | Koimoi.com
September 17, 2010 at 10:33 AM
@jayshah
>Why are people simply assuming a higher ticket price relates to higher revenues? What about the demand of a film?
It’s just about 3I and Dabangg, not other films.
So if at the weekend the ticket prices of Dabangg were the same as 3I the difference would have been of more than 5-6 crores.
>I believe Dabangg also had more prints if the numbers quoted are to be believed!
LOL!
We can keep going backwards.
3I too had more prints than any other film before that.
Of course the point is that not every film with high ticket price and more prints will do this much, that’s why one isn’t comparing it to other films, just to Dabangg since both are liked and are raking in money.
September 17, 2010 at 10:34 AM
The second comment is Satyam’s.
September 17, 2010 at 2:57 PM
Sorry for responding in bits and pieces..lack of time.
But here is another of Satyam’s,
>I am not dumb like all the other stars in the industry and who have been looking for fool’s good around Diwali and so on every year.
Good, because more people are involved with the goings on of Diwali than with that of Christmas, and therefore are freer during the latter than at former. So choosing Christmas time for your home production is a wise choice.
September 17, 2010 at 3:16 PM
I agree which is why I and Aamir are the only two wise guys around.. no one else has figured this out…
September 17, 2010 at 3:20 PM
LOL, but actually now a lot of people have figured this out — Akshay, the Deols, even Salman (or really, Sajid Nadiadwalla) — if you look up the line up of films for Christmas 2010 & 2011.
Anyway, post Dabangg I fully expect Eid to become the new Christmas.
September 17, 2010 at 3:43 PM
and all of them should wake me up when they get Ghajini-like results much less 3I-like ones!
September 17, 2010 at 3:48 PM
Eid like Diwali has been one of those traditional dates around which releases were planned. if you ask me I’ve always believed all of these things to be very mythologized and not very reflective of reality. Leaving aside Bachchan (who could get extraordinary results irrespective of release date) there have been countless huge successes over the years that did not release on any of these dates. One could go through the last decade and also find many examples. At the margins I’m sure holidays help but they never produce a very significant difference in the gross on their own. Dabangg is of course the classic example of this. No one has thought Eid to be this big for years! Much as Christmas wasn’t supposed to be special really and even at this point it is so even for Aamir. But of course he was getting big results even otherwise. Far more important as a factor in competition with a 2-3 week period or so. For example Ghajini was massive but RNBDJ was still rather stable even after 2 weeks. Dabangg has had zero competition so far but next week Anjaana Anjaani will be a factor in the multiplexes, if it works to any degree.
September 17, 2010 at 3:54 PM
I wonder why the 3I or Ghajini numbers matter so much to you now when they didn’t at the time! LOL!
September 17, 2010 at 4:37 PM
Like revenge, the beating of numbers is sweeter
September 17, 2010 at 4:45 PM
agree young-gold there.
the “invincible” aamir has suddenly started looking beatable and mortal.
although i personally feel that the-bang may finally fall short of gajini (forget 3I).
But if it does creep anywhere near 3i– it will be astounding
September 18, 2010 at 3:14 PM
Aamir never figured or planned Christmas being a good time for release. It all happened by chance. TZP got delayed because he took over the direction at the last moment, Ghajini was to release in October but got delayed due to his accident on the sets, 3 Idiots came a year later only because Ghajini was also released later and Aamir takes at least a whole year or year and a half to complete and release his next film. His Christmas release dates have all happened by chance!
Also, this Christmas being the most fertile time for release of films theory is rubbish, in my humble opinion.
Many schools throughout India, have pre-board exams for Class 10 and Class 12, twice – first in December, then in the first week of January.
You guys keep talking about holidays. December is the main holiday season only in North American and European countries, not in India!
I remember during his first live chat on Facebook, before the release of 3 Idiots, many class 10 and class 12 students had complained to Aamir that he shouldn’t release the film now, since they’re either having or are about to have their pre-board exams and can’t watch the film! You can go to Aamir’s older blog posts and see comments from many students who saw the film in the last week of January after their pre-board were over.
Every Class 10 and Class 12 student would know that test series/mock exams, both in school and coaching centres begin during December. From December, everyone from parents, teachers, tutors to even classmates start telling them to get all serious about boards and entrance tests preparations.
It is only after the mega-success of Ghajini and 3 Idiots that ”December or Christmas weekend being the biggest” theory has come up!
Even college students start to get more serious about covering their syllabus and completing their pending assignments/practical files/papers from December onwards. Annual camps of NCC/NSS units in colleges are during December last week only, after the internal exams in mid-December are over. Since we also have the National Youth Festival in January, colleges and universities all over India are busy in preparation for that as well. [The preparations are halted for sometime in December due to exams, then started again and youth festival participants have to come for rehearsals even during holidays!]
Also, only kids and students have holidays. I have never seen any private or public sector workplace giving holidays to workers/professionals during December!
Isn’t it also the season of weddings, especially in North India?
Isn’t it a month of super cold weather, in which one is easily susceptible to sickness and there are cases of people dying out of cold? Isn’t it a time when one doesn’t even feel like getting out of their blankets and their cosy homes?! Don’t we have things like cold wave, fogs and stuff, especially in North India at the time of the year?!
In foreign countries also (like US/UK etc.), things like blizzards, storms and heavy snow fall can deter audience from going to theatres. Doesn’t it sometimes lead to a drop in the film’s collections overseas? [If I am not mistaken, something of this sort happened once, in case 3 Idiots too.]
Now suddenly, everyone from trade to fans of other stars are calling it the most fertile, perfect and profitable time to release a film! Ha!
It’s only an excuse. How many films released in December (especially, the Christmas week) before 2007, became ATBB or even hits, for that matter?!
It’s only a tool to take away some (or all) credit from Aamir for his success.
In fact, Dabangg weekend and even first week, proves that ”only the Christmas weekend makes movie a record-breaker” argument (put forth by fans of every star except Aamir) is wrong and hollow! Till now, everyone would say X, Y or Z film would have done amazing business or would have broken records if only it had released on Christmas! ”Christmas par nahi release hui na, isi liye, thodi si peeche reh gayi!” (I’ve come across such dialogues so many times online, from fans of other stars who expect their star to kick 3 Idiots and Ghajini’s records but somehow it doesn’t happen so they make this excuse. Even Taran Adarsh and BOI also used to make this excuse for ”not huge enough opening” for films of ”huge stars” this year (which everyone knows about and I don’t want to name them or their films, otherwise it will only create unnecessary argument and comparisons). I hope they stop making such excuses now, in case films fail to open as big expected.
Sorry for the rant. But I only wanted to say that Christmas being the sureshot key to breaking records is wrong.
I can see such articles/headlines/discussions and sudden awakening to Salman’s star power/acting calibre/fan base is more a result of sheer frustration of everyone at Aamir and his films’ records. Seeing his films on top of every list for two years made them kind of sick, that’s why this reaction. Some are behaving as if the entire record of 3 Idiots is gone!
I would only assert that box office records are just one of the many achievements of 3 Idiots. It’s a film that has achieved way beyond box office (and everyone knows that, even though some of them may either deny it or not express it despite knowing it!). It isn’t a film that can be smashed or banged easily in overall terms.
No matter how much anyone hates or dislikes Aamir, it’s a fact that he’ll go down in history (even inspite of being fairly/unfairly accused of lack of talent, lack of charisma, lack of box office pull or star power, lack of actual fan-base, *insert all shortcomings you want to*) simply because of the films he chose to be a part of. If other Kings, Kinngs, Dabanggs, Greek Gods are there, then alongwith them this puny guy would also find a mention somewhere. And as a fan, I’m more than happy with that.
[In fact, more than anything else, it's the widespread backlash and perennial bias against Aamir and the constant attempt to undermine him (by all sections of media & fans of other stars everywhere), which makes me an even more ardent fan of him! Sometimes, I even wonder if I actually like Aamir this much!!
]
September 17, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Thanks, That would be still 3+ cr if we dont include Paid previews.
So its pretty much similar numbers.
September 17, 2010 at 10:34 AM
I really pity the helplessness at the vicarious pleasure these Aamir haters are trying to get from Dabangg’s record, forgetting all their animosity against Salman as at the least he has given them much needed reprieve!!!!!!!!
September 17, 2010 at 2:28 PM
myselrfaamir
>I really pity the helplessness at the vicarious pleasure these Aamir haters are trying to get from Dabangg’s record…….(etc)
LS
>Dabagg’s new record is absolute manna from heaven for all these Aamir haters. ..(etc)
I know! How silly of them.
(LOL! two khisiyani billis
)
September 17, 2010 at 2:39 PM
BILLI HERSELF IS LAUGHING AT HER “KHISIYANA”. LOL AT THIS RARE CHANCE TO WITNESS THIS RARE CHANCE!!
September 17, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Agree with myselfaamir. Dabagg’s new record is absolute manna from heaven for all these Aamir haters.
In any case 3 idiots is a far superior film. Dabangg has only one saving grace–Salman’s wacky star act–and for that he should be applauded.
September 17, 2010 at 12:33 PM
What “aamir haters” are Myselfaamir and LS referring to? Since 3 Idiots released, or rather, after it ended its run, it became the benchmark for other big films to be measured against. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve had several that were compared to 3 Idiots in terms of collections, and came up short. Now there is one that seemed to be matching it, and, as of now at least, has beaten it. What other film will the analysts compare Dabangg to except 3 Idiots? Now that the opening and week 1 collections have been broken, Dabangg will become the new benchmark for those. In fact, at other forums, there are already discussions rampant on which of the upcoming big films in the year will beat Dabangg’s opening. Does that make them Salman haters?
You can object to the silly “horse race” type of reporting on films, which I myself find tiresome, but I don’t think it’s unique about Aamir.
September 17, 2010 at 12:43 PM
I don’t think this has been posted here before. If it has, maybe Satyam can remove it.
September 18, 2010 at 7:59 AM
lol…nice one…
September 17, 2010 at 1:49 PM
@SM i was referring to SRK maniacs who keep putting “SOME IFS AND BUTS” for 3 Idiots record. I myself began by lauding the momentous feat of Dabangg, so again congratulate entire Dabangg team on this very very special occasion.
September 17, 2010 at 2:33 PM
Ghajini’s first week gross is because of holidays.It pretty much collapsed after that.Dabanng had no holidays but did so well.
September 17, 2010 at 3:49 PM
If Ghajini collapsed after doubling its week 1 gross in the final run I wonder what Akshay’s last 15 films have been doing!
September 17, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Releasing a film over a holiday might make a small difference, but not a large one in my opinion. A lot of this is just non sensical.
For example, I remember at one point that the weekend around the August 15th holiday was considered substantial. Both Mangal Pandey and KANK both did very well over those weekends.
Also, if you get nit picky with these silly things…one must remember that 3I made over 100 cr in January, a month that is considered to be a “cold” one. The last time that month had any sort of record breaker was RDB!
September 17, 2010 at 9:45 PM
But, IIRC, 3 Idiots had a month or two clear with no other major releases. That’s why it could continue and capitalize on its opening.
But, as has been said many times now, the main thing is that the film should connect with the audience in the first place.
Or, to put it another way, TZP also released at Christmas, along with Welcome, and both films did well, without either one becoming as huge as the present ones.
September 18, 2010 at 2:01 PM
SO WHY DO PEOPLE RELEASE FILMS ON WEEKENDS INSTEAD OF WEEKDAYS, IF HOLIDAYS DON’T MATTER????!!!
Deny all one wants but holidays boost collections.
The fact that not every film would collect that much is because it wasn’t liked that much, while the liked film collects more than what it would have collected (inspite of being liked very much) if it was,
-released on a weekday
-other competition
-no holiday in sight
-just one or two days holiday instead of a whole week or so
IMO the collection soars more than it would otherwise.
SO;
Liked films get more than they would otherwise (especially in the initial stages)
Other films which are not very popular – manage to get some
unpopular films – nothing can save them.
September 18, 2010 at 12:10 AM
Dabangg was rock steady in Rajasthan on its second Friday as collections were better than the previous day. Saturday and Sunday are expected to jump further. The daily figures from Rajasthan are as follows.
Week One
Friday – 80 lakhs
Saturday – 88 lakhs
Sunday – 96 lakhs
Monday – 65 lakhs
Tuesday – 45 lakhs
Wednesday – 36 lakhs
Thursday – 30 lakhs
Week Two
Friday – 33 lakhs
http://www.boxofficeindia.com/arounddetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=2032&nCat=box_office_collection
September 18, 2010 at 12:34 AM
The daily breakdowns first week breakdowns for Dabangg and Three Idiots are as follows.
Paid Previews
Three Idiots – 2.75 crore
Dabangg – N/A
Friday
Three Idiots – 13 crore
Dabangg – 14.65 crore
Saturday
Three Idiots – 11.64 crore
Dabangg – 16.50 crore
Sunday
Three Idiots – 13.24 crore
Dabangg – 18.10 crore
Monday
Three Idiots – 10.94 crore
Dabangg – 10.65 crore
Tuesday
Three Idiots – 9.65 crore
Dabangg – 8.65 crore
Wednesday
Three Idiots – 8.31 crore
Dabangg – 6.80 crore
Thursday
Three Idiots – 9.52 crore
Dabangg – 5.70 crore approx
TOTALS
Three Idiots – 79.05 crore
Dabangg – 81.05 crore approx
http://www.boxofficeindia.com/arounddetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=2033&nCat=box_office_collection
September 18, 2010 at 5:55 AM
BOI says friday is 6.20,
September 18, 2010 at 6:29 AM
Good number, steady one.
September 18, 2010 at 6:41 AM
Not bad but not great either. Rrepresents 55-60% drop comared to last Fri.
For comparision, 3I second Sat was 11 crores.
At this rate may end a 120-125 crores.
September 18, 2010 at 8:28 AM
at 120-125 crores it will definitely not have kept up with Ghajini. Let’s see if it can show a significant jump on Sat.
September 18, 2010 at 6:52 AM
It was indeed surprising to see the Salman starrer take such a huge collection breaking 1st week BW collection records. And nice to know even critics have given a ‘thumbsup’ to the film.
September 18, 2010 at 8:29 AM
acc to devo from SB (NG) the climax fight of dabanng is from this movie
September 18, 2010 at 9:42 AM
I thought there were similarities with new Sherlock Holmes movies first fight scene.
September 18, 2010 at 8:43 AM
‘Dabangg’ Breaks ‘3 Idiots’ Record!
Komal Nahta
In December 2009, when 3 Idiots had netted Rs. 79.75 crore in the first week in all-India, it was felt that this record would take a long time to be broken or surpassed. For, ‘3 Idiots’ had broken the records of all films released before it at almost every cinema of every centre. Some felt, it would take two to three years for a film to match up to ‘3 Idiots’. Others put the figure at five years at least. But in just less than nine months came along Dabangg and smashed the record of ‘3 Idiots’! That’s the film industry for you – it can throw surprises any time. As against Rs. 79.75 crore collected by the Rajkumar Hirani film, ‘Dabangg’ has netted Rs. 80.05 crore. The Salman Khan starrer may have overtaken the Aamir Khan starrer by just Rs. 30 lakh but the fact is, the first week’s record of ‘3 Idiots’ was broken in less than a year. The first weekend of ‘Dabangg’ (Rs. 47 crore) was far ahead of 3 Idiots (Rs. 41 crore) but the Rs. 6 crore gap became smaller and smaller as the week came to a close. Which means, the collections of ‘Dabangg’ far exceeded those of ‘3 Idiots’ on the first three days of the release week but were less than those of the earlier record holder on days 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the week.
DABANGG: Review By Komal Nahta
If one were to consider the performances of the two top grossers in the various circuits, it would emerge that 3 Idiots’ fared better than ‘Dabangg’ in Bombay, West Bengal, Nizam, Mysore and Tamilnadu-Kerala circuits whereas ‘Dabangg’ scored over ‘3 Idiots’ in Delhi-U.P., East Punjab, Bihar, C.P. Berar, C.I. and Rajasthan. Clearly, the action factor in ‘Dabangg’ did the trick in circuits where actions films fare better than other films!
Read more: ‘Dabangg’ Breaks ‘3 Idiots’ Record! | Koimoi.com
September 18, 2010 at 8:44 AM
The differential between the two films is just 30 lakhs here.. sensational as the numbers are this is hardly ‘smashing’ the record! and of course as Nahata makes it clear 3I was ahead during most of the weekdays..
September 18, 2010 at 8:50 AM
The comparision is to ghajini and not 3Idiots.
September 18, 2010 at 9:01 AM
It will overtake Ghajini without doubt but references have been to 3I.And while it has ‘edged ahead’ of 3I in the first week, the difference in Sat numbers highlights how 3I is in a different league altogether.
Dabangg’s numbers are superb without resorting to undue glorification.
Quite, predictably the exaggerated response to Dabangg’s BO responSe comes not from Salman’s fans but insecure fans of other stars who have been terrorised by BO performance of Ghajini and 3I.
September 18, 2010 at 9:04 AM
LOL, true! the question is how much does it overtake Ghajini by? Because that movie released in Dec 2008. If the differential is ultimately 10-15 crores that is not too far from the inflation margin. Even accounting for all other factors it would be more or less in the Ghajini zone. However here’s the important factor even with respect to Ghajini. To match Ghajini’s trending Dabangg has to do minimally 160 crores! Ghajini did 115 crores or so off a roughly 55 crore 7 day number. I don’t think Dabangg is doing 160 crores quite frankly!
September 18, 2010 at 9:04 AM
Re: the difference in Sat numbers highlights how 3I is in a different league altogether.
should be second Fri instead of Sat.
September 18, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Second weekend wont be much more than 20 crores. And second week total should be no more than 30 crores.
September 18, 2010 at 9:17 AM
could be more than 20 if there is a significant jump on Sat and Sun. Which I personally doubt because it didn’t show that jump from Fri to Sat even over the first weekend.
again like yourself I too think there is nothing to argue about when the numbers have been so huge and that too so unexpectedly (let’s not forget the doldrums Salman has more or less been in for years.. there’s now an attempt to forget that entire history! But after the 2000 or so Salman was always lucky to have one significant hit in 3 years or so! So for example his last before Wanted in 2009 was Partner in 2007 with Govinda, before that MSK in 2004 with Akshay. Otherwise there were scores of flops or half-decent runs and so forth. So yes he has a massive one now but if anyone is very likely to revert back to the old ways even after this it’s Salman.. his entire career reveals this even if most of his hits are nonetheless concentrated in the 90s.. he could actually use Dabangg for reinvention.. ground himself in sensible masala and do a Barjatya on the other hand and basically avoid everything else.. frankly there is now a better path for him to keep landing big numbers than SRK.. but it is questionable whether he will suddenly develop the judgment and discipline to do so) but the overreach by many makes these arguments necessary. If one wants the Ghajini/3I comparisons that’s fine but let’s do it all the way. Much as the media has made a big deal out of the 3I record being smashed. But it’s actually in the very same range. That a film like Dabangg could do it is still astonishing but that’s still not reason to distort the narrative. In this sense Rajneeti got short shrift from the media. Yes everyone talked about the box office but consider this film made more than every film of every other star barring Ghajini and 3I. No mean achievement.
September 18, 2010 at 12:24 PM
Rajen and Satyam-
guys cool your jets …..
let’s celebrate Dabang and let people compare it with Ghazni or 3 I
kya farq padta hai, which one collected more.. bottom line is masala is in and fake NRI crap is out.
by arguing like them, you are coming off just like them…….
September 18, 2010 at 1:41 PM
LOL.Rocky.
I think both Satyam and myself are overjoyed at the numbers. But, just want to keep things in perspective amidst all the hyperbole.
September 18, 2010 at 5:30 PM
well said Rocky, I just have to counter other agendas!
September 18, 2010 at 9:43 AM
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Salmans-Kick-for-75-crore/articleshow/6577853.cms
September 18, 2010 at 10:42 AM
Dabangg dispelled the myth that that Ghajini is a historical grosser’.
It will take some time for 3I record to be overtaken.
Considering the rise in ticket prices ghajini disnt do that well.
September 18, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Ghajini is not historic which is why even Dabangg will struggle to match its trending! LOL! History isn’t only about opening numbers (by the way Dabangg is historic too, just because it matched 3I doesn’t mean that every other film will do it, wake me up when SRK and Akshay get to within 20 crores of the 3I/Dabangg opening!), it’s about the final number too. Sholay or HAHK or Gadar created history because of that final number, not the opening one!
September 19, 2010 at 3:57 PM
give me ur number i will call u up 2 times in 2011…once when srk equals the other two khans muvis in june…and den in december when he takes all the recrds again…and btw i wud include worldwide openings….globalisation ka zamaana hai…
September 18, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Several media outlets have framed the news such that everyone believes Dabanng has already broken all 3I records. Clearly, no one wants to point out that the 200cr mountain is still out there in front to be climbed.
No doubt, there is a lot of pent up frustration towards Aamir. Another news doing the rounds is that Aamir is scared shitless after Dabanng and is infinitely postponing the release of DG. Apparently, the reason for this fear is the rejection by audiences of issue-based films (Implying that DG is a ‘issue’based movie). There are even reports that say that Dabanng was nothing great, but audiences are sick of Aamir issues and will run for any crapiola out there.
September 18, 2010 at 11:56 AM
the funny thing is that in all likelihood it won’t get anywhere close to the 160 crores it needs just to match Ghajini’s trending! These days though it’s all about creating media hysteria (positive or negative). The facts don’t matter.
September 18, 2010 at 12:12 PM
The release strategies of movies nowadays are such that they frontload maximize their BO revenues in the first week itself. Trending of the sort Ghajini had for a ‘acceptable’ movie may become a thing of the past. Only a 3I type of universal juggernaut can achieve that type of trending. All other movies will try to adopt the scorch earth strategy with maximum prints and go for the gold in the first week. Dabanng has clearly succeeded with this strategy.
I think it will wrap up around 130crs and match Ghajini total plus inflation.
September 18, 2010 at 1:47 PM
Where on earth are you getting 160 crore for Ghajini? Since the final figure for Ghajini collections is between 110-115 crore, are you claiming you need 50 crore extra to account for inflation in less than two years? That’s a nearly 50% inflation over that period. I doubt that that’s the case.
I don’t think anyone is claiming that Dabangg has already surpassed 3 Idiots’ total collections. The only statements from various trade analysts have been to the effect that it surpassed the opening weekend and first week total of 3 Idiots, which are demonstrably true. And, while you may not pay attention to Distributor Share, it is another major metric used by the industry and the trade, and here also Dabangg has surpassed 3 Idiots so far. It is possible, if the life time earnings of Dabangg are stronger in single screens than in multiplexes, that the final Distributor Share of Dabangg may surpass that of 3 Idiots, even though its gross collections are not as much.
September 18, 2010 at 3:03 PM
key in Satyam’s satatment “matching Ghajini’s trending”. Ghajini almost doubled its 1st week business. So Dabangg needs to do 160 crore to do that!
“The only statements from various trade analysts have been to the effect that it surpassed the opening weekend and first week total of 3 Idiots, which are demonstrably true.”
There is no demonstartion until they publish all the data. They are statements we are accepting at face value. Based on daily total published only BOI could have crossed 3 idiots! Even BOI there is difference in daily reported number and what they reported on friday
14.14 – 14.65 -0.51
16.36 – 16.50 -0.14
18.61 – 18.10 +0.51
10.61 – 10.65 -0.04
8.00 – 8.65 -0.65
7.00 – 6.80 +0.20
6.00 – 5.70 +0.30
This was Taran at 6th day
Taran
14.5
15.75-16
17.5-18
10
8
6.75
Total – 72.5-73.25
You need to add more than 6 crore to cross 80 crore
This was Komal for first four days
14.25
15.75
17.00
10.00
Adding 8+7 for Tuesday and wednesday from other reported sources, the total will reach 72. You need 8 crore on Thursday to cross 80.
I am not saying it might not have crossed 80 but no one apart from BOI has shown it. But then BOI keeps changing their numbers on regular basis.
September 19, 2010 at 1:52 PM
LOL!!!
September 18, 2010 at 1:06 PM
BollyBusiness Exclusive : Most Watched Movies In First Week
http://bollybusiness.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/bollybusiness-exclusive-most-watched-movies-in-first-week/
September 18, 2010 at 1:39 PM
sensational stuff, Yakuza.
How do you gather this data?
If this is accurate ( and I have no reason to believe it is not), nearly 30% more people watched Dabangg in first week than 3I.
September 18, 2010 at 3:21 PM
LOL!!
What fun!!!!
BO discussions…….with a difference.
It’s all about bal ki khaal udhedna now to keep Gajhani/3i afloat, and dampen the jubilation of others, with statements like, ’3i /ghajani was liked more’ etc etc.
Lage Raho…bhais’
September 18, 2010 at 4:11 PM
@Oldgold
You will never cease right? Hats off to your knack of looking at all things negatively. No one wants to keep 3I or Ghajini afloat! Neither are any comments on a blog (!) going to sink them or keep them afloat.
Baal ki khaal haters aur cynics udhedte hain, ki fans aur supporters?
Aren’t people like you, the first ones to bring up some point (you most notably, bring some points/issues in all of Aamir’s interviews too! Uski films ke records/success/failure toh chhodo!) when you people want to undermine or dismiss success of films in some way?!
Supporters bring up arguments only out of provocation by similar comments of haters/cynics.
Anyway, arguments on a blog or forum don’t bring out anything and don’t positively or negatively impact anything in real life. So chill!
Aamir or Salman’s success or failure isn’t decided by your or anyone else’s individual POV!
Finally, don’t take offense please, but I’d like to say, you, Oldgold have already broken the record of being so consistently and unfailingly negative and sarcastic against certain personalities and their supporters! You never disappoint or fail to deliver on that count! Stars ke records ka toh pata nahi, lekin aap ka record shayad hi koi todh sakey.
[P.S. - I apologise in advance in case I've offended you with this comment of mine.]
September 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
>but I’d like to say, you, Oldgold have already broken the record
What? Me too?!
Seems we are going through a phase of breaking records.
>I apologise in advance in case I’ve offended you with this comment of mine.
I’m *never* offended. Amused, mostly.
September 18, 2010 at 7:43 PM
>bring some points/issues in all of Aamir’s interviews too!
I challenge you to show me more than one interview in which I have ever commented.
I say more than one, because I may have commented in ‘one’ though I don’t think I did in any.
September 19, 2010 at 12:34 AM
@anu i wholeheatedly agree with many of ur points
but they say with experience comes wisdom 
so i suggest u can try what i do- IGNORE OLDIE GOLDIE.
Some times i indeed wonder if she has come from forest of pandora or whether she is navi!! she doesnt get offended, she has opinions which can offend others and still she is a respected (funnily) seriously big time member of the blog.
so ignore! imo thats best becoz if i started gettting upset (maybe thats what she wants
) she would never stop and i would get irritated becoz have to admit she has eye for details and sometimes real weird questions and nitpicking!
(@oldie goldie i knw u wont take offence u are a sweetheart
)
September 19, 2010 at 12:38 AM
and so statutory warning- dont get into debate with oldie becoz goldie never accepts always counters and one doesnt have that much time…
ps old ggold u can be a great advocate
ps2 old gold then which week are u coming ? do tell us and wrie on ur single screen experience i would love to her that
ps3 its just diff of opinion oldgol notyhg personal
September 19, 2010 at 9:41 AM
Hahahaha!
Great comment Rooney.
Something I would have written myself.
September 19, 2010 at 1:56 PM
Well done, great comment, completely agree!
September 18, 2010 at 4:52 PM
@ ANU why are you feeling apologetic when Oldgold has never ever felt the need despite having offended many people on this blog by nitpicking over tiny things with an eye to keep “her agenda afloat”.
September 18, 2010 at 7:37 PM
>Oldgold has never ever felt the need despite having offended many people on this blog
Errrr…cannot recall ever having used abusive language to offend anyone.
>by nitpicking over tiny things with an eye to keep “her agenda afloat”.
Ah, you meant my opinion offends many people on the blog. In that case it can’t be helped. One should learn to accept difference of opinion.
September 19, 2010 at 5:06 AM
If it were ”REAL OPINION” as such as you pointed out, i would not have bothered to get in to this nitpicking myself, but this is really a facade used to attack a particular ”STAR”.
September 19, 2010 at 9:37 AM
>but this is really a facade used to attack a particular ”STAR”.
Then all I can say is …. you know more than I do.
September 18, 2010 at 7:24 PM
This is for Zoolander fan JayShah
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hats-off-shirts-off/683599/0
September 18, 2010 at 11:07 PM
The final first week nett total of Dabangg has come in at 80.32 crore nett with a distributor share of 50 crore approx. The breakdown is as follows.
Mumbai/Thane – 12.02 crore
Gujarat – 7.00 crore
Saurashtra – 1.83 crore
Maharashtra – 5.41 crore
Goa – 41 lakhs
Karnataka – 58 lakhs
Mumbai Circuit – 27.25 crore
Delhi/UP – 19.05 crore
East Punjab – 7.04 crore
West Bengal – 3.89 crore
Bihar – 1.93 crore
Assam/Orissa – 90 lakhs
CP Berar – 4.83 crore
CI – 3.32 crore
Rajasthan – 4.40 crore
Nizam – 3.54 crore
Mysore – 2.94 crore
Tamil Nadu/Kerala – 1.23 crore
TOTAL – 80.32 crore
http://www.boxofficeindia.com/arounddetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=2035&nCat=box_office_collection
September 19, 2010 at 3:59 AM
Satyam
How are you?
It’s just from your post that I have come to know about “Dabangg”. On 12/9/10, Sunday, I got finally two tickets of around 8:30 pm from one of a multiplex and then on that very evening we (me & my brother) have watched the movie. The movie was really great. It was an action based movie and I have truly enjoyed watching it.
My calculation on Dabangg->
55% Action + 12% Dialogues + 13% Comedy + 10% Story + 10% Song = DABANGG
September 19, 2010 at 4:11 AM
LOL nice calculation dude
September 19, 2010 at 4:40 AM
Thanks @mksrooney
September 19, 2010 at 6:24 AM
Dabangg First Week INCREDIBLE Distributor Shares
Saturday 18th September 2010 23.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
The first week distributor share of Dabangg is an incredible 50 crore. The breakdown is as follows. All figures are approx.
Mumbai Circuit – 16.80 crore
Delhi/UP – 11.70 crore
East Punjab – 3.80 crore
West Bengal – 2.30 crore
Bihar – 1.50 crore
Assam/Orissa – 0.65 crore
CP Berar – 3.60 crore
CI – 2.25 crore
Rajasthan – 3 crore
Nizam – 2.15 crore
Mysore – 1.70 crore
Tamil Nadu/Kerala – 0.70 crore
TOTAL – 50.15 crore
September 19, 2010 at 7:48 AM
As per Jaju, Sat is about 8 crores.
September 19, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Hi Yakuja,
just wondering how the footfalls for a films are calculated. I am not confident of the way you have done it. eg. Don’s opening in 2006 was around 24cr, while Ravan did slightly lesser numbers in 2010. i.e 4 yrs later. But still as per your data more number of people saw Ravan than Don. How does that happen?
Another data point is Don’s opening was more than 70% of the record (Krish 2) at that time but Ravan is not even 30% of of the record during its release. So how could more people have seen Ravan in week1 than Don in week1?
September 19, 2010 at 3:19 PM
arun if u go deep into yakuza’s ways u will find even more glitches…he has really good imagination…his sole purpose of evry post is to downgrade srk…just ignore him..
September 19, 2010 at 9:30 AM
3 Idiots/Dabangg First Week Distribution Share Breakdown.
http://boxofficekings.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/3I-Dabangg.png
September 19, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Why are BOI/Taran etc quiet on the second Sat?
September 19, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Because movie is not longer breaking records,
2nd weekend will be 22-23 cr with second week being 35+ cr.
Total after 2nd week, 115+ cr, breaking Ghajini or being very close to it.
That will be second biggest 2nd week though.
3 I = 55 cr
Dabangg = 35 cr expected
Ghajini = 26.5 cr
Rab ne = 24.5 cr.
September 19, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Doga,
Even 22 crores sounds optimistic. If it indeed is 22 crores, thats not bad at all. My hunch is it is more like 20 crores and second week will be 30 crores at the most.
September 19, 2010 at 1:21 PM
Sunday is expected to be big and provide that extra push, but yes even 20 weekend and 30 week should be great.
September 19, 2010 at 1:26 PM
‘Dabangg’ 2nd week Friday: Rs. 6.1 cr, Saturday: Rs. 7.5 cr. 9 days total: Rs. 94 cr. nett.
- Taran.
Thats 13.6 for Friday+Sat, Sunday will be around 8.5, thats around 22 cr.
September 19, 2010 at 2:54 PM
Woah!
September 19, 2010 at 2:57 PM
“King’s Speech” Wins Toronto’s Audience Award; “Incendies” Takes Canadian Prize
by Peter Knegt
“Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech” and Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies” were among the big winners at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival’s awards ceremony. At a brunch at the Intercontinental Hotel on Front Street this afternoon, a variety of prizes were announced, with “Speech” taking the top audience prize and “Incendies” the top juried prize.
“I am absolutely thrilled,” “Speech” director Tom Hooper said in a statement that was read at the ceremony. “The fact that the award is voted exclusively by audiences makes this award especially special. Holding the world premiere here was such a privilege. On behalf of all the cast and crew, I want to thank TIFF and the festival audience.”
“Speech” won the festival’s overall audience award, with Justin Chadwick’s “The First Grader” the runner-up. Audience awards specific to documentary and genre subsection Midnight Madness went to Sturla Gunnarsson’s “Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie” and Jim Mickle’s “Stake Land,” respectively.
Upon taking the stage to begin the ceremony, TIFF CEO Piers Handling noted the impressive array of Canadian films this year, echoed in how honored the winners of the festival’s Canadian-centric awards.
“This is a huge honor,” Deborah Chow, winner of the $15,000 SKYY Vodka Award For Best Canadian First Feature Film. “It was honor even to get into the festival, let alone win an award. And I need to thank [award sponsor] SKYY Vodka, not just for this award but for saving me for having to work at Starbucks last weekend.”
“It was a huge honor to be part of the Canadian selection this year,” Denis Villeneuve said after winning for the best Canadian feature award (which comes with a $30,000 prize), noting how much he appreciated the work of Xavier Dolan, Richard J. Lewis, Bruce McDonald and Denis Cote, among others, in this year’s festival. “I don’t work at Starbucks but the federal Canadian income tax agencies keep calling me about 2009, so I thank TIFF for not making me have to go to jail next week.”
The complete list of winners at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival are below. Check out indieWIRE‘s roundup of critical reaction from the festival here.
Cadillac People’s Choice Award:
The King’s Speech
Directed by Tom Hooper
Runner-Up The First Grader
directed by Justin Chadwick
Cadillac People’s Choice Award For Documentary:
Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie
Directed by Sturla Gunnarsson
Runner-Up: Nostalgia For The Light
Directed by Patricio Guzmán
Cadillac People’s Choice Award For Midnight Madness:
Stake Land
Directed by Jim Mickle
Runner-Up: Fubar II
Directed by Michael Dowse
City of Toronto and Astral Media’s The Movie Network Award Award For Best Canadian Feature Film:
Incendies
directed by Denis Villeneuve
SKYY Vodka Award For Best Canadian First Feature Film:
The High Cost of Living
directed by Deborah Chow
Prizes of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Special Presentations Section:
L’Amour Fou
directed by Pierre Thoretton
Prizes of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery Section:
Beautiful Boy
directed by Shawn Ku
Award For Best Canadian Short Film:
Les fleurs de l’âge (Little Flowers)
directed by Vincent Biron, Montreal, Canada
http://www.indiewire.com/article/toronto_film_festival_winners_in_progress/
September 19, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Anjaana Anjaani’s Dabangg jitters
Aside from the verdict on the Babri Masjid case, the Dabangg factor is causing panic among the producers of the film, who are pumping in Rs 5 crore extra for its publicity
Subhash K Jha
Posted On Monday, September 20, 2010 at 02:28:31 AM
The makers of Anjaana Anjaani are at present a worried lot. In a four-hour, closed-door meeting on Saturday afternoon, between Sajid Nadiadwala and the film’s co-producers, Eros Entertainment, two definite realisations were as follows: there is no point in postponing the release date despite the Babri Masjid verdict; and that Dabangg is not disappearing from theatres.
As a heads-up to this, producer Sajid Nadiadwala has now decided to pump in approximately Rs 5 crore extra into the publicity and marketing machinery of his product.
Says a source close to Anjaana Anjaani, “We slotted our film two weeks after Dabangg. We never thought it would continue to be this strong. Huge amounts of money and time are going into the marketing of Anjaana Anjaani. Ranbir and Priyanka are doing their publicity events on a war footing.”
Director Siddharth Anand played down these anxieties though. “I’d like to believe that the success of Dabangg means good news and better business for Anjaana Anjaani.
People are now in the mood to return to theatres. And who says two films can’t do well simultaneously? In 2006, there were big films one after the other every two weeks. And all of them did well.
God willing, people would want to watch our film because after Dabangg they’re in the mood to visit theatres.”
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala confirms, “We did consider withdrawing Anjaana Anjaani because the court’s decision on Babri Masjid-Ayodhya is on the day of our release.
Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor during the promotion of Anjaana Anjaani
However the international prints to countries as far-flung as Germany have already gone. We’ve spent a fortune on marketing and publicity. Our hoardings are up.
There are 40 of them in Mumbai and we’ve the right to have them up for a limited period. Yes, we are spending a substantially extra amount on promotions this week, because it is impossible to hold back the release.
The producers are also piggy-backing on the Commonwealth Games, slated for October 3. “We will have dignitaries from all over the world. The government can’t afford any untoward incident in the country,” says Sajid.
September 19, 2010 at 9:17 PM
I dont t hink they need to worry. Dabangg is too frontloaded to be a threat in te third week.
September 19, 2010 at 9:42 PM
agreed.. but also the target demographic for Anjaana Anjaani will hardly be dissuaded by Dabangg in its third week!
September 19, 2010 at 11:24 PM
Totally different audiences…no need to worry!
September 19, 2010 at 8:07 PM
Will MGM Go Asian?
by Anne Thompson
The Wall Street Journal reports that Indian conglomerate Sahara India Pariwar is in exploratory talks to buy MGM for more than $2 billion, according to one source:
This person cautioned that the talks were at an early stage, and that MGM and its stakeholders haven’t yet shown substantial interest in doing a deal with Sahara, a Lucknow-based company whose businesses, according to its website, include TV and film.
After Spyglass execs Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum signed a non-binding letter of intent September 8 to take over beleaguered MGM as co-chairmen and co-CEOs, on September 15, for the seventh time MGM’s lenders agreed to extend the forbearance period and not seek remedies in connection with the nonpayment of interest and principal due on the company’s bank debt, including the revolving credit facility, until October 29, 2010, the studio reported:
The lenders took this action in support of the Company’s ongoing efforts to evaluate long-term strategic alternatives to maximize value for its stakeholders. MGM appreciates the continued support of its lender group throughout this process.
http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/09/19/will_mgm_go_asian/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
September 20, 2010 at 12:59 AM
Off Topic:
Trailer Watch: Kate Winslet as Mildred Pierce
One of the great, satisfying page-turners is James M. Cain’s 1941 Mildred Pierce, which was turned into an excellent 1945 movie starring Joan Crawford. (Several of Cain’s hardboiled novels worked as films, including The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity). Well, the Killer team of Christine Vachon and Todd Haynes have adapted the novel into a five-part HBO mini-series. The trailer ran before HBO’s debut of Boardwalk Empire Sunday night.
The new and original trailers are below.
http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/09/19/trailer_watch_kate_winslet_as_mildred_pierce/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
September 20, 2010 at 1:02 AM
Kareena Kapoor opposite Salman Khan in ‘Bodyguard’
By Taran Adarsh, September 20, 2010 – 08:40 IST
It’s confirmed! Kareena Kapoor will star opposite Salman Khan in brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri’s next project, a remake of the Malayalam hit BODYGUARD. There was speculation that Katrina Kaif would essay the lead role, but Atul clarifies, “See, we have already decided to release our film during the Eid week next year. Since Katrina has committed her dates to other projects, we decided to cast an actor whose dates would match with Salman’s and would facilitate the release of the film during the festive week next year.”
However, this combo – Salman and Kareena – hasn’t delivered a Hit in the past. “It all depends on the film and how the audience takes to it. Why blame a pair for its failure? Besides, they may be third time lucky with my film,” Atul smiles. Meanwhile, Atul is keen on calling his film BODYGUARD, not MY LOVE STORY or MERI LOVE STORY. Directed by Siddique, the film has music by Pritam.
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2010/09/20/14633/index.html
September 20, 2010 at 1:29 AM
Hardly exciting news…I would much prefer to see Salman with Puri Jagganath, Prabhu Devaa (who has now signed Akki and not Abhishek?) and Abhinav Kashyap!
September 20, 2010 at 3:21 AM
my thought praz bhai !!
September 20, 2010 at 8:29 AM
Now salman is the next south remake king after Akhshay Kumar..
It seems like all my efforts of watching south indian movies with subtitles are in vain…these guys will remake them all
September 20, 2010 at 9:23 AM
24 crore weekend as per BOI.
September 20, 2010 at 9:47 AM
Midweek B.O.: ‘Dabangg’ magic continues, emerges Blockbuster
September 20, 2010 at 9:48 AM
‘Anjaana Anjaani’ postponed to next week?
By Taran Adarsh, September 20, 2010 – 08:27 IST
Speculation is rife that Sajid Nadiadwala, the producer of ANJAANA ANJAANI, has decided to push the film ahead by one week, since the judgement on Ayodhya dispute is expected on September 24, which coincides with the release date of the film. However, the enterprising producer has decided to take a call – whether to release the film on September 24 or push it ahead by one week – on Monday [today], after consulting his distributors. Watch this space for further developments!
September 20, 2010 at 9:57 AM
Salman Khan: King of the box office
September 20, 2010 at 9:58 AM
Abhishek does a Sallu
Everyone was in a mood to have fun at Shabana Azmi’s 60th birthday celebration held at a posh hotel. Not to miss the moment was Abhishek Bachchan who danced away merrily with Tabu on the latest chartbuster Munni badnam hui, from Salman Khan’s superhit Dabangg. Aby’s baby did all the desi grooves with enthusiasm while Tabu did the Munni jig with verve. Wifey Aishwarya Rai Bachchan watched on sportingly and cheered the duo!
September 20, 2010 at 11:08 AM
‘Dabangg’ 2nd wknd breakup is as follows:- Fri: Rs. 6.1 cr, Sat: Rs. 7.5 cr and Sun: Rs. 10.5 cr to Rs. 11 cr. [estimates].
‘Dabangg’ had a rock-solid second weekend, collecting approx. Rs. 24.6 cr. to Rs. 25 cr. nett in second weekend.
- Taran Adarsh
September 20, 2010 at 4:33 PM
http://www.livemint.com/2010/09/19224830/Dabangg-producers-question-Ema.html?atype=tp
September 20, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Dabangg had an approx 23.75 crore nett weekend taking its ten day total to 104 crore nett. The drop is around 51-52% from first weekend. The territorial breakdown was as follows.
Mumbai – 7.75 crore
Delhi/UP – 5.75 crore
East Punjab – 2.18 crore
West Bengal – 1.50 crore
Bihar – 60 lakhs
Asaam/Orissa – 27 lakhs
CP Berar – 1.03 crore
CI – 89 lakhs
Rajasthan – 1.22 crore
Nizam/Andhra – 1.20 crore
Mysore – 1.04 crore
Tamil Nadu/Kerala – 29 lakhs
TOTAL – 23.72 crore
http://www.boxofficeindia.com/arounddetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=2040&nCat=box_office_collection
September 20, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Should Cross Ghajini before this week ends.
September 20, 2010 at 11:21 AM
but it has to get to 160 to equal Ghajini’s trending…
September 20, 2010 at 11:20 AM
‘The Town’ Bustles
by Brandon Gray
September 19, 2010
The Town was the talk of the box office over the weekend, Easy A received a lot of attention, Devil wasn’t elevated, and Alpha and Omega didn’t hunt. Overall business was a bit lower than the same weekend last year when Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs led.
Striking approximately 3,500 screens at 2,861 locations, The Town hauled in an estimated $23.8 million, earning the comparison its marketing made to The Departed. The latter blazed onto the scene with $26.9 million on around 4,200 screens at 3,017 locations nearly four years ago (though its attendance was about 37 percent greater than The Town’s). Like Departed, The Town busted out of its genre norm, grossing more in one weekend than the final grosses of Gone Baby Gone, Reindeer Games and Pride & Glory and more than doubling the opening weekend of We Own the Night. Its estimated initial attendance was in the realm of Cop Land and Sleepers.
Upon closer inspection, The Town’s marketing campaign sizzled more than its Departed references and the movie’s nondescript title and poster would imply. Television ads hit the right crime thriller notes, promising high dramatic stakes and action, and were more energetic and to the point than the movie’s trailer. The ads punched up the proceedings by making the picture look (not just sound) like The Departed and by using the Eminem song “Not Afraid.” Distributor Warner Bros.’ exit polling indicated that 55 percent of The Town’s audience was male and 75 percent was aged 25 years and older, skewing older and more male than The Departed.
In second, Easy A aced its first weekend with an estimated $18.2 million on close to 3,500 screens at 2,856 locations. That was more than Jennifer’s Body (which debuted on the same weekend last year) made in its entire run, and it blew away many other comparable titles, including Youth in Revolt, Whip It and Sydney White. It also edged out the openings of The House Bunny, John Tucker Must Die and 10 Things I Hate About You. All told, Easy A had one of the higher-grossing openings for a teen comedy, though its attendance wasn’t in the league of Mean Girls, She’s All That and Superbad. According to distributor Sony Pictures’ research, Easy A’s audience was 67 percent female and 49 percent under 18 years old.
True to its pedestrian title, Devil delivered an average opening by horror standard, grossing an estimated $12.6 million on nearly 3,300 screens at 2,809 locations. Its start was a bit less than Quarantine but about the same as One Missed Call and The Eye among other horror movies. It was also the lowest-grossing opening yet for an M. Night Shyamalan-branded horror movie.
Alpha and Omega packed an estimated $9.2 million on around 3,000 screens at 2,625 locations. 1,625 locations presented the animated feature in the 3D illusion, and they accounted for around 68 percent of the gross. The 3D ticket price premium means that Alpha’s initial attendance was in the same range as Astro Boy, Everyone’s Hero and Happily N’Ever After and was about a quarter of Open Season. Distributor Lionsgate’s reporting showed an audience composition that was 63 percent female and primarily mothers and children. Indicative of Alpha’s tyke appeal was its 80 percent bump from Friday to Saturday, which was even greater than Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on the same weekend last year.
Resident Evil: Afterlife had a second-weekend fall in line with its predecessors. The horror action sequel tumbled 62 percent to an estimated $10.1 million, around 75 percent of which from 3D presentations. The second-weekend drops of the previous movies were, in chronological order, 62 percent, 62 percent and 66 percent. Despite having the highest gross through the ten-day point ($44 million), Afterlife continued to be the least-attended entry in the series.
Meanwhile, Inception saw the smallest decline among nationwide holdovers, easing 28 percent to an estimated $2 million, and its total stands at $285.2 million in 66 days. Its the third movie this year to spend ten weeks in the Top Ten, following Avatar and How to Train Your Dragon.
In milestone news, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse crossed the $300 million mark on its 81st day, while The Expendables passed $100 million on its 36th day.
September 20, 2010 at 4:40 PM
Kerala Box-Office (September 1 to 16)
Saturday, 18 September , 2010, 16:55
It’s boom time at the Kerala box-office. Ramzan has kick started the theatre collections. All three Ramzan releases- Mohanlal’s Shikar, Mammootty’s Pranchiyettan and the Saint and Lal Jose’s Elsamma Enna Aankutty, have been appreciated and is likely to sail through.
Mohanlal’s Padmakumar directed Shikar, which released on September 9 in Kerala, Chennai and Bangalore has taken extraordinary opening in 110 screens. The film has grossed an astounding Rs 5 crore 47 lakhs in 8 days from 110 screens, which is phenomenal by any yardstick. It would have taken a distributors share of around Rs 2.10 Crore.’ The film is the clear number one at the Kerala box-office this Ramzan.
Way down at number two is Lal Jose directed Elsamma Enna Aankutty, which has grossed Rs 1.54 Crore from 63 releasing centers in Kerala. The film has been appreciated and is sure to be a sleeper hit.
At number three is Mammootty highly raved about Pranchiyettan and the Saint. Ranjith has proved once again that he can make critically acclaimed movies which are different and enjoyable for lovers of good cinema. The film has grossed Rs 1.42 Crore in a week from 61 screens in Kerala. The film made on a shoe string budget and on a single schedule will definitely cover its cost from theatricals and make profits on its satellite and Home video rights.
In the fourth place is Salman Khan’s Dabangg, which opened to full houses in 20 odd screens in Kerala and is a hit. At number five is Vinayan’s Yakshiyum Njanum, which has been shifted to smaller centers.
http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=14957248&cid=14625530
September 20, 2010 at 4:41 PM
so Lal has a huge opener once more! What else is new?!
September 20, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Great to hear about Mammootty’s film as well – this is the type of cinema that needs to be highlighted in Kerala these days…though on recently seeing Ranjith’s overrated Paleri Manikyam, I’m not sure what to expect.
Shikkar I’ve heard good things about. Revenge-masala more in the vein of Bhramaram than the usual crass stuff.
September 20, 2010 at 5:42 PM
And the October Octopus says…
The most awaited Anjaana Anjaani and Aakrosh are postponed but Khichdi –The Movie and Rajnikant-Aishwarya starrer Robot to stay put
Kunal.M.Shah
Posted On Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 02:09:27 AM
Sajid Nadiadwala has postponed the release date of his next film Anjaana Anjaani in spite of the release being slated this week. The move has been done keeping in mind the court’s decision over the sensitive Babri Masjid controversy
Anjaana Anjaani will now release on October 1 and Aakrosh, initially scheduled for release on October 1, will now be exhibited on October 8. However, the release date of Khichdi–The Movie and Robot remained unchanged.
When contacted, Sajid said, “We had already sent our prints to overseas markets like Australia, America and the UK, but last morning we had a meeting and decided that the least we can do is to change the release date keeping the sentiments in mind. For us, releasing a film is a cause of celebration and we would definitely not like to celebrate on such a day and that’s why Anjaana Anjaani will release on October 1 now.”
Meanwhile, Kumar Mangat, the producer of Aakrosh, said, “Yes, we have postponed the release by one week. It is not a wise decision for two major films to clash on the same day and so we have decided to release the film on October 8.”
However, Vijay Singh of Fox Star Studios, the producers of Khichdi, said, “We are committed to releasing Khichdi on October 1. The tracking research that we are doing shows an extremely positive build-up of awareness and intention to see the film across our core family audiences. The response from the audiences who have seen the film is extremely positive.” They should consult Paul.
September 20, 2010 at 9:12 PM
Why are people citing the High Court decision for the postponement of their film? Is it a face saving device, or do they really expect so much turmoil and disturbance? It just seems to me that it might become a self-fulfilling prophecy if people talk about it with so much apprehension. I understand that the PM has made some preliminary speeches appealing for calm. At this rate what trust can anyone have that the court’s decision is disinterested and based on legal considerations, if so much trepidation is evidenced by the highest officials of the country?
Some of the articles reporting the postponement of Anjana Anjani say things like, “Now Dabangg has another clear week.” But, if the reason for the postponement is truly fears of public disturbance, how can that possibly benefit Dabangg? The argument is inconsistent.
Anyway, regardless of any film’s box office fate, the whole anticipatory reaction strikes me in a very negative way.
September 21, 2010 at 2:26 AM
They are all making me nervous too as I’ll be landing in India the next day. Not looking forward to getting stuck at the airport or my taxi being stopped and set on fire (with me in it). LOL!
September 21, 2010 at 2:34 AM
Anything is possible, though i doubt from whatever i talked to people.
September 21, 2010 at 8:26 AM
Understandable.
Hopefully, it will come and pass. And hopefully, justice will be served.
September 21, 2010 at 9:08 AM
Oldgold, sincerely please take care, its going to be nervous times ahead, we dont know what to expect. I would just say, be cautious where to visit where not too, m sure ur indian family would guide u properly.
September 23, 2010 at 9:18 AM
Thank you all for your assurances and concern. I appreciate it.
September 21, 2010 at 8:29 AM
SM,
I dont think AA has anything to worry about as far contending with Dabangg in its thitrd week goes. The apprehension regarding the impending court decision is totally understandeable. One can hope that it wouldnt be so but these issues are always frought with so much tension and pent up emotions and are always exploited by interested parties.
September 21, 2010 at 9:06 AM
” I understand that the PM has made some preliminary speeches appealing for calm. At this rate what trust can anyone have that the court’s decision is disinterested and based on legal considerations, if so much trepidation is evidenced by the highest officials of the country?”
The comment on Judiciary was not required, and am sure u know better sm what i mean with that. Dont drag or question Judiciary. There is respect and humbleness required when u speak abt court and judiciary.
ps- please google contempt of court, and what can be said what not.
thnx
i have said it coz i feel u would understand what i meant, and i that was in blur or in moment typing and not meant. dont mix politics with judiciary.
a remark of Hon’ble Prime Minister should not at any cost be lead to logical conclusion that u derived.
I guess U have never heard of certain cases, like for eg. Indira Gandhi’s election case. u might like to read it. U might like to read Justice Khanna dissent describe monumental by New York Times it self.
So please its a request, i dont think anyone should bring judicairy in the middle like this or question it, i m sure u know better sm.
September 21, 2010 at 9:23 AM
Sorry for poking my nose:
But No institution is india is Holy now… Respect is one thing but Questioning is our Birthright….
To more on the judiciary go thru arun shouri’s seminal work and more so recently by father and son duo….
Indirectly govt tried to subvert the decision by filling the PIL by some mumbai guy…
Its all Vicious circle….
If more than Remember famous words of L K advani during emergency, ” When they were asked to bend , they crawled”…
by this it doesnt mean all but not all are holy cows.
September 21, 2010 at 10:38 AM
no i dont mind iamthat u can, its ur fundamental right, given by the constitution of india.
but i just said that for simple info, if anyone knows contempt of courts act. u dont remarks that ordinarily against this institution, fair criticism is not contempt, but just like that is indeed, for any court n the world.
please google that, i dont want to stop, i just want person to be more careful and rather not speculate or create logic into it.
1. get evidence.
2. deliver proper commentary.
3. careful choice of wods.
rest i said that as i thought to inform abt this fundamental principle, rest u know better.
September 21, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Off-topic: I think the contempt laws in India are too strict, and unduly infringe free speech; reforms are long overdue…
September 21, 2010 at 10:35 AM
SM: given the sad, bloody history on this issue (as on many others), I think the apprehension is completely justified. I personally don’t think there will be much reaction because whoever loses will appeal to the Supreme Court (i.e. this decision isn’t final), but certainly that doesn’t mean there isn’t cause for concern. And in time, when the Supreme Court issues a verdict, then there will be even more cause for concern.
September 21, 2010 at 10:41 AM
abolutely.. Q bhai we are commenting on a metter which is in middle of DUE PROCESS OF LAW.
there will be a appeal, and thus we should just read the judgement. and then comment, and at no cost comment on judiciary.
this is indeed long journey till a final verdict comes.
September 21, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Rooney, thank you for your legal opinion. You are the lawyer, and I am not. However, let me ask you some questions:
1. How can a statement be “contempt of court” when it is not made in court? That violates the very definition of “contempt of court.”
2. How can a statement that expresses no opinion on a pending judgement be considered contempt of court? What exactly is contemptuous about a non-opinion?
3. How can a statement that others are downgrading the purity of a court’s decision be considered contemptuous, when it is in fact saying that a court’s decision is disinterested and legally based? You need to reread the statement carefully to comprehend it correctly.
4. If you think the Prime Minister of a country cannot be questioned, then what you want isn’t democracy, but tyranny. It looks like you are living in one, so much so that you have forgotten your democratic rights as a citizen.
5. Every day the media in India are full of comments on ongoing court cases, making judgements and condemning people before the evidence has been presented, nor the trial even started. But this is not contempt of court?
6. Finally, however they choose to define it, neither the Indian courts nor the Indian government have any jurisdiction over the internet, and certainly not over internet service providers in other countries.
So cool it.
September 21, 2010 at 10:49 AM
You misunderstand, Qalandar. I’m not discounting that there is reason for apprehension. But for everyone to assume that there will be disturbances, and to plan accordingly, is a travesty of what a civil society is supposed to be. And those who are supposed to be leaders should be showing the way toward that civil society, instead of accepting an uncivil one as par for the course. This decision (not even the final one) is coming 18 years after the events in question, and even those events didn’t take place in a vacuum. There was a long and painful journey to that point as well. But, in these 18 years, this incident has been used as a justification and excuse for so many other inexcusable and unjustifiable events. Is that in itself not shameful and show a how little in control the authorities are? It is this complacency that I am pointing out.
September 21, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Re: “But for everyone to assume that there will be disturbances, and to plan accordingly, is a travesty of what a civil society is supposed to be…”
However shameful this is or isn’t, I don’t see how you can blame politicians for trying to prepare for eventualities. Heck, if they DIDN’T do this and something bad happened, the public would be the fist to criticize them for lack of preparedness; and everyone would say that given the history they had no excuse for being caught flat-footed, etc. One must work with the world as it is, even as one strives to change it: I would consider it the height of irresponsibility for politicians and the bureaucracy to NOT be planning for what might happen in the aftermath of the court verdict. That’s like saying we shouldn’t have heigtened security at airports because by doing so, we are accepting that we live in a violent society rather than making society less violent — even as we work toward the latter, we cannot ignore the fact that some people are of a different view.
Re: “And those who are supposed to be leaders should be showing the way toward that civil society, instead of accepting an uncivil one as par for the course.”
I think the public is often quite happy to have an uncivil society (as long as “their” point of view is the one privileged); rather than blame the leaders alone, I think the people also deserve a lot, perhaps even a majority, of the blame.
That isn’t to say politicians don’t deserve some of the blame. For instance, it is farcical for Advani to be saying we should respect the court verdict now — one wishes he had been more responsible and mature doing the Rath Yatra, its aftermath, etc. Even here, however, I do not hold the public blameless: it chooses to have amnesia.
September 21, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Its not Complacency for that matter but Harsh reality of India and our polity…. It all abt numbers, evoking passions and than riding on it…
India is not all wat we see on net and bollywood or for that matter in idiot box…
India is still coping with Teething problems, may be too long, but Its still dysfunctional Democracy…
But wen u look around the globe than one does marvel at india…
a simple flare up can become big balzing fire and change the euations for ever…
As one can see more and more youth are expressing their religious identity…
September 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM
I don’t disagree with you; but this action isn’t an isolated one. It is but one in a long series of equally misguided actions; it is that entire process that I find objectionable. As for people being responsible; yes, they are, to an extent; but the ones who divide them and foment divisions and resentments for their own personal gain are no less responsible.
September 21, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Re: “As for people being responsible; yes, they are, to an extent; but the ones who divide them and foment divisions and resentments for their own personal gain are no less responsible.”
I generally agree with you — but there is no dichotomy between “the people” and “those who divide them”. The politicians are drawn from us, and do stuff because they think it will be popular. The divisions are not created out of thin air by politicians, but are the result of a politics that is subscribed to by the people who support those politicans.
September 21, 2010 at 11:01 AM
My previous comment was in response to Qalandar. Iamthat replied while I was writing.
September 21, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Re: “But, in these 18 years, this incident has been used as a justification and excuse for so many other inexcusable and unjustifiable events. Is that in itself not shameful and show a how little in control the authorities are? It is this complacency that I am pointing out.”
I am not sure I follow. If the authorities are not in control, that isn’t evidence of complacency, but of incompetence. Of course, in some cases (e.g. the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh at the time of the Babri demolition) the authorities were not so much incompetent as complicit — in which case there is no complacency to speak of, only cynicism and dereliction of duty. I am sure both incompetence and cynicism are not in short supply in 2010, any more than they were in 1992, but where’s the complacency.
[Aside: the only complacency I see is in the media: for some time now they have peddled this line that somehow the India of today is radically different than the one of that period, i.e. that we had somehow "moved beyond" Ayodhya etc. etc. Such pats on the back were figments of the imagination, reflective of a mindset formed in urban enclaves, rather than of the worldview of a good many number of people.]
September 21, 2010 at 11:17 AM
“How can a statement be “contempt of court” when it is not made in court? That violates the very definition of “contempt of court.” ”
its not limited to inside court. its wider and broader, and covers outside events in my interpretation and what i have read,( if wrong correct me q bhai.)
“How can a statement that expresses no opinion on a pending judgement be considered contempt of court? What exactly is contemptuous about a non-opinion?”
this is what u have said-
“At this rate what trust can anyone have that the court’s decision is disinterested and based on legal considerations,…”
you are doubting the trust on the court directly questioning the independence of the bench, of the court, of the judiciary, its enough for contempt, as u based that on the statement made by the Hon’ble prime Minister. I am only saying u dont bring judiciary in to it, u questioned, u lacked trust, faith in court, which is to pass judgement.
3.”How can a statement that others are downgrading the purity of a court’s decision be considered contemptuous, when it is in fact saying that a court’s decision is disinterested and legally based? You need to reread the statement carefully to comprehend it correctly.”
ur statement shows, verdict of court is disinterested, and how can one trust is legally based? u at the very core question it. imo
“4.If you think the Prime Minister of a country cannot be questioned, then what you want isn’t democracy, but tyranny. It looks like you are living in one, so much so that you have forgotten your democratic rights as a citizen.”
excuse me sm, u get that wrong, show me where have i stated dont question the Hon;ble Prime Minister?… but if u have misunderstood read that again please yaar, i mean is u r linking a statement by Hon’ble Prime Minister to Judiciary.
question raised bye is on connection and logic that leads u too question judiciary from that , now where i have stated prime minister is immune, and thus what u lead further is infructious.
“5.Every day the media in India are full of comments on ongoing court cases, making judgements and condemning people before the evidence has been presented, nor the trial even started. But this is not contempt of court?”
yup it is imo, and biggest example is jessica Lal Case, did u have had the opportunity to read through the order of suprem court in that case? if not iinform me i would so u the para, and opinion of court on that, and if u arent informed the newspaper and media have got a warning, and they are going on tight rope, and guidelines are going to come soon, and the above judgement clearly has given the warning to media, and that would clear ur doubts, indeed its a contempt, and interference with the democratic, judicial process on union of India.
“Finally, however they choose to define it, neither the Indian courts nor the Indian government have any jurisdiction over the internet, and certainly not over internet service providers in other countries.”
LOL. i said was not only related to indian court nor i said as lawyer, but as a friend who is a lawyer who might not be knowing about it (may be i shouldnt have i guess) that u might be living in any country, always be careful about ur remarks.
Also one more thing sm m cool about it, my only concern is i didnt found ur logic of connectivity material.
And to be frank, i found that jurisdiction thing of internet quite interesting
but think broad, than narrow that would be a request.
September 21, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Re: “however they choose to define it, neither the Indian courts nor the Indian government have any jurisdiction over the internet…”
I do not agree with this. No country has accepted that it does NOT have jurisdiction over the internet; i.e. the Indian courts/government ABSOLUTELY “have…jurisdiction over the internet” — for instance, that is precisely how and why all countries are able to regulate pornography, and countries like India are able to regulate certain political issues (e.g. a website that showed J&K as part of Pakistan falls within the GoI’s jurisdiction). Perhaps what you mean is that they can’t stop that website from displaying xyz material elsewhere in the world; if so, that is completely true, but no different from the fact that GoI cannot stop me from stealing in another country (doesn’t mean it doesn’t have jurisdiction over me if I steal in India, or if I sit in Dubai and set up a fraudulent company there to scam indians over the internet).
Re: “…and certainly not over internet service providers in other countries…”
I do not know the answer to this with respect to India, but the question is not so simple as one might think. Countries do claim jurisdiction over crimes and things that happen in other countries, and can be prosecuted for it. For instance, if you set up a child porn site in Europe and have American subscribers, you absolutely can be prosecuted in America. It’s a separate question as to whether this is a worthwhile use of American resources, as America might not be able to get its hands on the relevant people (i.e. in practice American and European authorities will probably cooperate to bring the site down and punish those behind it), but there is no dispute that America and American courts do claim jurisdiction over things/events that are not located within American territory (i.e. jurisdiction is not the same as territorial sovereignty; the reverse is also true: the Indian embassy in DC is located within the US, but American courts do not have jurisdiction over most things that occur inside).
This is true outside the criminal context too: for instance, Bosnian victims of Serb violence successfully maintained a CIVIL suit against Radovan Karadzic in American courts. I am pretty confident one can maintain a CIVIL suit for antitrust violations, market manipulation, price fixing etc. against companies that are not located in the USA, as long as those companies can reasonably foresee the effects within America of their international activities.
September 21, 2010 at 12:04 PM
LOL, OK, Qalandar, but since I am neither running a child pornography ring nor anti trust violations, etc., I think I am correct in saying that the Indian government can’t prosecute me for statements I make on the internet, via an ISP that is not answerable to them.
Frankly I’d rather get back to fights about BOI vs. IBOS numbers, and total collections vs “trending”.
September 21, 2010 at 1:09 PM
Re: “I think I am correct in saying that the Indian government can’t prosecute me for statements I make on the internet, via an ISP that is not answerable to them.”
Sure — but that has nothing to do with the INTERNET or your ISP address. The Indian government cannot prosecute you for most sorts of statements, as the constitutional guarantee of free speech protects those, whether those statements are made on the internet or anywhere else (e.g. whether you say “Manmohan Singh is an idiot” online or in print sitting in India, that statement is protected). [Contempt proceedings are an exception to free speech protections, but IF your speech constituted contempt in the eyes of the Indian judiciary, the fact that it was made on the internet WOULD NOT protect you (as a practical matter, they don't care or you're abraod, but it is that and NOT the internet/ISP that is the relevant issue). Thus, Arundhati Roy was once pulled up for contempt: she would have been in just as much trouble if her statement had been made in NYC, or blogged online on an American site using a USA-based ISP.] My point is simply that it is not the internet/ISP-address that protects you, but something else. The law treats the internet as simply a medium (and hence, as no different from TV, print, or other kinds of media).
September 21, 2010 at 12:06 PM
thnxs q bhai, enlightened and obliged to read that
September 21, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Fine, Qalandar, then let the GOI come after me if they care, or dare.
September 21, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Rooney: You have quoted me as saying: “this is what u have said-
“At this rate what trust can anyone have that the court’s decision is disinterested and based on legal considerations,…”
but you left out the preceding sentences, where I said, “It just seems to me that it might become a self-fulfilling prophecy if people talk about it with so much apprehension. I understand that the PM has made some preliminary speeches appealing for calm. At this rate what trust can anyone have that the court’s decision is disinterested and based on legal considerations, if so much trepidation is evidenced by the highest officials of the country?”
If the PM is just advising everyone to increase security and brace for disturbances, without at the same time saying that the court’s verdict must be respected, whatever it is, then in my view, he is implicitly giving credibility to the idea that the way to act if one does not agree with a court decision is to react violently. Well, why would people react violently? Because they believe that they have bot received a just verdict. But why would they think that? Either because they do not trust the process (having seen too many instances where the verdict was influenced by outside factors — e.g., the 1984 Sikh massacre case) or because they can overturn a court verdict through violence. Neither argument shows any trust in the court’s proceedings. And a PM who concedes such violence as a foregone conclusion, without vigorously reinforcing the sanctity of the court’s decision, will in fact lead people to question the fairness or disinterestedness of the court’s actions. So I am not the one making this statement; it is a consequence of the government’s actions.
At any rate, you show a touching trust in the judiciary’s impartiality — a trust that I used to share, but no longer.
As for thinking broadly, I am doing just that. I am thinking very broadly in time as well as space, and considering many, many actions and events, and seeing what kind of pattern they make.
September 21, 2010 at 12:09 PM
cool sm, as i have always stated politics doesnt interest me on internet forums
so i guess the topic btw u and me as far as i see, u got what i wanted to say and i understand ur persperctive and respect that.
indeed u have seen many things in life and i respect that, i have only read them in books.
but still disagree when u bring in court, though at human level i understand but nope not as professional, but as a person who believes in rule of law to be supreme i disagree, as a person who believes in procedure established by law (as oppose to american term due process of law) the indian term is wider and i do believe.
take care regards.
September 21, 2010 at 2:07 PM
@sm,
completely agree… and more so if someone really wants to know how judiciary is not just legal interpretation but one’s own set of bias and prejudices and wat not, thn plz go thru arun shouries book on indian judicial system…
September 21, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Re: “one’s own set of bias and prejudices and wat not, thn plz go thru arun shouries book on indian judicial system…”
No judiciary can be insulated from personal biases and prejudices — no human endeavor can, and especially a field that deals in and with people and their actions (historiography is one of those disciplines: e.g. Arun Shourie’s own writings on Ambedkar are rather obviously biased)…For instance, in the US certain circuit (i.e. federal appellate) courts are known to be very liberal (e.g. Ninth), others are known to be very conservative (e.g. Fourth), and it absolutely makes a difference if a case on the constitutionality of an abortion statute comes up in one or the other. So I don’t really think India is unique on that front — but there are probably greater opportunities of corruption-with-impunity in India (but that is true of many aspects of Indian life, and is hardly unique to the judiciary; e.g. I would assume there are more instances of financial corruption in the Delhi police than in the London police; or Indian civil service than in civil servants in Japan).
September 21, 2010 at 3:12 PM
Sorry to get side-tracked btw. Unfortunately the lawyer in me and rooney couldn’t resist.
[On the substantive point re: contempt, I think the contempt laws are just too broad in India, and have been used to stifle dissent. More accurately, it is difficult to police the line between "dissent" and "contempt"].
back to films…
September 21, 2010 at 3:25 PM
Yes, I know lawyers love to argue.
September 20, 2010 at 6:43 PM
http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_salman-khan-the-common-man-s-superstar_1439924
September 21, 2010 at 8:41 AM
DABANGG Is 17th ALL TIME BLOCKBUSTER
Tuesday 21st September 2010 16.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Dabangg is the 17th all time blockbuster in the history of Hindi cinema. The last three years have seen an all time blockbuster every year reminding one of the 1993-2001 period when there was an all timer nearly every year. Dabangg is likely to do a distributor share of 80 crore. Below are the seventeen all time blockbusters and Salman Khan has four films in the list.
Kismet (1943)
Rattan (1944)
Mother India (1957)
Mughal – E – Azam (1960)
Jai Santoshi Maa (1975)
Sholay (1975)
Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)
Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989)
Aankhen (1993)
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994)
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Raja Hindustani (1996)
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Gadar Ek Prem Katha (2001)
Ghajini (2008)
Three Idiots (2009)
DABANGG (2010)
September 21, 2010 at 9:16 AM
this is quite frankly a ridiculous list but par for the course for BOI. A number of Bachchan films should be here. To not have MKS on it and to include KKHH for example is either very stupid or very dishonest. But hey it’s BOI and the anti-Bachchan attitude is again obvious. The only Bachchan there is Sholay! Leaving aside KKHH at least a few more on the list are not all time blockbusters (including Dabangg.. unless it really surprises with the final gross..). This is a junk list.
September 21, 2010 at 10:03 AM
LOL, the BOI agenda is so obvious: the only Bachchan film they include is one where he isn’t a solo/main event. Hilarious.
September 21, 2010 at 2:37 PM
BOI is biased or anti-amitabh,what a stupid list wher were BOI in 70s and 80s maybe they were day dreaming in venus or mars…stupid list …crap as usual from boi
September 21, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Well, the BOI hogwash continues. They obviously cannot pull wool over anyone’s eyes when it comes to contemporary ATBBs. But to totally ignore Coolie (which was a hurricane), MKS, even AmarAkbarAnthony, that speaks volumes about the anti-Bachchan bias of this site. WTF has Bachchan done to deserve this? It was understandable when SRK was trying to go one-up on Bachchan circa 2005-6, but since the arrival of Aamir (and now Salman), this site should really try its best to be neutral. First Ghajini/3I and now Dabanng now clearly demonstrate that there is no ‘single superstar’ rule in Bollywood anymore. BOI shud quit this anti-Bachchan bias immediately.
September 21, 2010 at 10:21 AM
They can’t even get stability in numbers, and keep changing figures (often revising them downwards) on films (e.g. Om Shanti Om). Second, the site also has an anti-Aamir bias: it is an old game to increase the selling price of his films so much that no matter how much a film like Ghajini makes, it is not termed a blockbuster — they certainly did this with Ghajini and in the year-end lists. A similar thing happens with Abhishek films, where it is even more puzzling: if he is as much of a nobody as BOI seems to believe, why on earth are his films being sold for gazillions?!
September 21, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Its like a fisherman plugging holes to keep the boat afloat. Their SRK loveboat is sinking with the collective leakage of all the holes in all their numbers for other stars. They could get away with the anti BigB bias, because of the checkered data from the 70s/80s. The enormity and clarity of BO figures at present leaves them with no option but to report them fairly, despite their constant efforts to do otherwise.
But, unfortunately, there really arent any other neutral or credible sites either.
September 21, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Re: “It was understandable when SRK was trying to go one-up on Bachchan circa 2005″
Not really. i.e. it was understandable if one believes that BOI is a pro-SRK site. But not if one believes (as I do) that it is an anti-Bachchan one, or at least that the anti-Bachchan urge overrides all other considerations.
September 21, 2010 at 10:33 AM
The glaring gap in the 1975-1985 period in their list is proof enough of their anti-Bachchan bias. A period which gave some of the most commercially and critically successful movies of bwood is totally ignored by them. Its like a blind man that never saw the glitter of the golden age.
September 21, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Qalandar, you make a good point…BOI tries to be clever with their biases, but anyone who has observed their verdicts over the last few years can tell, that they have some sort of an agenda against the bachchan which they fulfill by erasing Amitabh’s stupendous achievements on one hand while Abhishek is compared unfairly against his peers
September 21, 2010 at 11:06 AM
How is it that there are more ATBB’s since the advent of cable television? I thought the argument for the poor performance of the film industry was the various modes of entertainment that are now available to people as opposed to way back when (1950′s through 1980′s)
September 21, 2010 at 11:16 AM
BOI’s argument is akin to picking up whatever stick is at hand to beat someone with.
September 21, 2010 at 12:42 PM
When you’ve such a grand name, All Time Blockbuster, shouldn’t your standard/criteria be little more strict? IMO an ATB is the one which not only smashes the previous records, but also takes the business to hithro unimaginable levels. By that criteria in the modern era only Sholay, HAHK, Gadar, Ghajini (if someone wants to be very strict even these 2 Gs might find it difficult to find a place on such a list) and 3I qualify as such. Next ATB will have to do 250 cr+ business.
September 22, 2010 at 9:16 AM
Absolutely agree. I think Ghajini is probably a BB now. ATB is pushing it a tad. 3 Idiots deserves a slot for sure.
Very ridiculous list – lop-sided for the 90′s and 00′s.
September 22, 2010 at 9:18 AM
yes agreed on Ghajini/3I.
September 21, 2010 at 9:13 AM
‘Dabangg’ collects Rs. 3.15 cr. on Monday, total: Rs. 107.65 cr. nett
By Taran Adarsh, September 21, 2010 – 14:19 IST
DABANGG continues to perform well on weekdays as well. The film collected approx. Rs. 3.15 cr. on Monday, taking the 10-day total to approx. Rs. 107.65 cr. nett. With ANJAANA ANJAANI getting pushed ahead by one week, the DABANGG wave is expected to spill over to the third weekend as well.
DABANGG should stand at a total of Rs. 115 cr. to Rs. 117 cr. nett at the end of Week 2, if it continues the momentum on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
September 21, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Staggering performance, but I am a bit disappointed (“disappointed” is perhaps too strong a word given that it has made so much more than anyone expected) at the trending — I had thought it would make somewhat more than 35-37 crores in week 2.
September 21, 2010 at 10:14 AM
I really wasnt expecting a 3I repeat here vis-a-vis trending. Dabanng is clearly an average movie at best, somehow resurrected by Salman’s larger than life persona. Salman has done what a Amitabh or Dharmendra or even Sunny Deol has done in their ATBBs.
September 21, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Kaviji,
Dharmendra did it only once to a limited extent in Pratigna. Sunny, never. Gadar’s was not as much due to Sunny as Dabangg is due to Salamn.
September 21, 2010 at 10:53 AM
IMHO, Sunny was the only hero in Y2K who cudve convincingly essayed the role of the yamla jat in Gadar. The movie totally distintigrates in the final 30mins, but was held up entirely due to Sunny. I ought to give it to Sunny just because of that.
September 21, 2010 at 2:06 PM
**Deleted** as posted below
September 21, 2010 at 2:09 PM
already posted below
September 21, 2010 at 11:11 AM
`Dabangg has turned Bollywood wisdom on its head’ (TOI)
MUMBAI: How does one explain the stupendous success of a film like Dabangg, which is a cross between a Dharmendra and a Rajnikant movie? Why has the Salman starrer grossed more money than Aamir Khan’s `Three Idiots’ and Prakash Jha’s `Raajneeti’, which have far superior content? What has endeared it to the urban multiplex audience despite being aimed at small-town India?
The answer lies in the fact that it is an unpretentious entertainer rooted in Indian reality, say directors Mahesh Bhatt and Sudhir Mishra. “ Dabangg (fearless) reclaimed the space that Hindi films had ceded to Bhojpuri films because of the metrocentric sensibility of Bollywood directors,” explained Bhatt.
Mishra, known for acclaimed films such as `Dharavi’, `Chameli’ and `Hazaron Khwaishen Aisi’ said, “Our directors are living in their heads in America, they are ashamed of making Hindi films.” Big films, according to him, come from Indian reality “but of late, directors who come from Bollywood families have abdicated this space to small-town boys such as Vishal Bharadwaj, Raju Hirani and Anurag and Abhinav Kashyap.”
Bhatt said, “Just as Indian cinema was patting itself on its back for having grown up, the whole thing has been turned upside down!”
Explaining why the urban audience loved the film, Bhatt said, “The sophistication of our metro viewers is skin deep. Below the surface, we are all unabashed lovers of the `mela’, and this film has that carnival sensibility. It has met that elemental appetite.”
Alankrita Srivastava, Prakash Jha’s assistant whose debut film, `Turning 30′, is under post-production, went to see `Dabangg’ with her friends expecting nothing more than the filmi equivalent of a `nautanki’ (folk theatre). “We went to be entertained by Salman Khan and he did not disappoint us,” she said.“Of course, there are gaps in the story and awkward moments in the film but no one was looking for the negatives.”
“This is not my type of film but I made an exception for `Dabangg’ being a former Salman fan. His appeal lies in the fact that he retains that unaffected and unsophisticated character of a `tapori’ (streetside ruffian),” said Shrivastava.
Director Madhur Bhandarkar, who saw the film at Bandra’s Gaiety theatre, said Salman has struck a chord with the masses as well as classes with his uninhibited performance. “Fans went hysterical, clapping and whistling at Salman’s lines. The last films I saw getting such reaction were `Gadar’ and `Lagaan’,” said the director who shot to fame with `Chandni bar’.
Paying tribute to Salman’s prowess and as star, Bhatt said, “A weak character cannot carry a strong plot but a strong character can carry a weak plot.” Indeed, even those who panned the film agreed that Salman has played the role of a corrupt but lovable cop with abandon.
The charm of the film was that it was an unapologetic and unabashed Salman starrer which went the whole hog, said Mishra. Bhatt admired the single mindedness and audacity of the filmmaker, Abhinav Kashyap.
The pre-release publicity of the film and the fact that it delivered what it promised — a total Salman Khan experience — also played its part in Dabangg’s success, said Shrivastava.
However, film critic Deepa Gahlot does not think much of `Dabangg’ and dismisses it “a jazzed-up B-grade Bollywood film which Mithun Chakaraborty did by the dozen”. “It is only that this generation has grown up without watching such films.”
Bhatt and the other directors say the success of the film all over India shows that it has connected with the people. “It is very easy to fool the high-brow audience but difficult to entertain the masses,” said Bhatt.
September 21, 2010 at 11:42 AM
“Why has the Salman starrer grossed more money than Aamir Khan’s `Three Idiots’ and Prakash Jha’s `Raajneeti’, which have far superior content? ”
And thus continues the general media hogwash against 3I (and by extension Aamir Khan) as well!! Arre bhaiya, 200 karore ka pahaad nazar nahi aata kya??
September 21, 2010 at 11:13 AM
“…was held up entirely due to Sunny. I ought to give it to Sunny just because of that.”
But that’s not quite the same as what Dabangg amounts to. Dabangg is not about the film, it is about Salman’s persona, there’s no question of a film being bettered because of a star’s efforts here because the film exists only to service the star. Gadar is not “about” Sunny Deol, it actually does have a plot and “point” to the proceedings outside of its star’s sheer presence.
September 21, 2010 at 2:33 PM
Gadar belongs entirely to Sunny Deol. It is a film that is unconceivable without Sunny. I remember when he won the Screen Award, the producer went to take the trophy on stage and said that the film would have never been made without Sunny. Anil Sharma also said it would have been impossible to make the film without Sunny. I don’t think the film would have even been believable without Deol. And it’s not only about the final 30 mins I am talking about.
September 21, 2010 at 3:01 PM
Let me end the discussion with Qalandar and Rooney by quoting the man himself:
BeingSalmanKhan
hindu muslim sikh isahi sab hai bhai bhai. Na ladna na jhagadna bus ek doosare se pyaar karna. Hum sab saath saath hai
22 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®
September 21, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Few can have lived that ideal more completely than Salman Khan’s own family. Even in Bollywood, his family is more the exception than the rule, as close to the mosaic of India as one can find… in a sense it is fitting that he keeps the banner of cinematic populism (a populism, I might add, that is not jingoistic, nasty, or mean, relative to some other populisms-in-film that come to mind) flying…
September 21, 2010 at 3:25 PM
Yes, this is exactly why I like him and his films.
September 21, 2010 at 3:46 PM
Which films of his achieve this?
September 21, 2010 at 3:51 PM
Can’t speak for sm, but among the recent ones I was thinking of films like Partner, Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, which aren’t nasty in the way that comedies like Kya Kool Hain Hum, De Dhanan Dhan or Kambakht Ishq are — for instance the sexism is dialed down in the former. His action films I don’t remember all too well, but I certainly have the impression that they were less jingoistic than, say, the Sunny Deol films, or films like Bobby Deol’s Kranti (i.e. the Salman actioners were more old school). Even something like Dabangg, which I have criticized for being rather sexist, is assuredly less so than many of the overtly multiplex-ish actioners like Race, Cash, etc. Wanted I believe was an outlier (haven’t seen Veer). Other films that seem more liberal (than, e.g., a Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or even an I Hate Love Stories) include Mein aur Mrs. Khanna; Jaaneman; Phir Milenge.
September 21, 2010 at 5:32 PM
A very fine list, Qalandar. Even Dabangg actually has a more self-respecting heroine (within a patriarchal structure) than many more “progressive” films. Partner actually has quite a subversively anti-patriarchal message embedded among the comedy. Similarly TNBP explicitly advocates religious harmony, and the idea that members of all religions are part of one human family. Veer has a hero who appeals to the heroine’s sense of justice, rather than to her love of him, to do the right thing. And the greater and explicit. theme of Veer is itself that India as a country must unite and not let itself be divided along communal and caste lines. I am puzzled that you think Main aur Mrs. Khanna was “liberal”. But even No Entry was notable for NOT being a “sex comedy” — i.e., its humor derived from devotedly monogamous men being suspected of being promiscuous, and its women were the intelligent and decisive characters, at whose mercy the bumbling male characters were (however there was one gratuitous slap that was entirely out of place to this viewpoint). In both Saajan and Dabangg, there were disabled characters leading full, productive lives. There are many such subtle portrayals.
September 21, 2010 at 5:55 PM
The problem (as I see it) here is that even if the politics of these films might be appealing, the actual films aren’t…
September 21, 2010 at 6:03 PM
For you, maybe. But we all watch films for different reasons. I merely explained what the appeal of these films are for me. If we are accepting that people watch the Dharma/YRF type of films to revel in their brand name display, for example, then this seems an equally valid basis for me. Or if someone watches for the quality of the explosions, or the oomphness of the female leads.
September 21, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Actually, for me, assuredly.
Of course people watch films for different reasons, no one is debating that, and that shouldn’t prevent folks from taking a critical approach.
September 21, 2010 at 6:41 PM
Yes, but I’m saying that the “critical approach” itself is very subjective. The criteria for “good cinema” are a subjective determination. Look at that very article that was posted in this thread, where various “analysts” are twisting themselves in knots to explain why Dabangg is doing as well as it is. When one of them talks about Hindi films “finally growing up” what does that mean? Is showing more sex and naked bodies evidence of “growing up”? Many western film critics think all Indian films have a “naive” world view, because they all have happy endings. Even disregarding the sweeping generalization, don’t most commercial films anywhere in the world have happy endings? If Dabangg “has no story”, and this is to its detriment, then what of the discussion we had here many months ago, wherein it was declared that a “narrative” is not necessary for a good film? (it may have been in the Avatar discussions) Or, to give a more accessible example, most Indian films have heroes who are without flaws. Their conflicts are purely external, and they prove their heroism by overcoming these external obstacles. But, nowadays at least, most American films have protagonists (not “heroes”) who have internal flaws as well as external conflicts, and they must overcome both to reach a satisfactory endings. But the Indian film “hero” derives directly from the “Nayak” tradition of the great Indian epics, which still informs most popular entertainment. Is this then not a culturally specific value system on what determines a “good” story? I think the evaluation of Indian films by the standards of “good cinema” developed in a completely different cinematic tradition presents many pitfalls, and must be approached with great caution.
September 21, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Re: “I am puzzled that you think Main aur Mrs. Khanna was “liberal”.”
Not liberal in some absolute sense, but MORE so than the films I mentioned as a comparison.
September 21, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Nothing you say can be debated, obviously, (I should say other than offering my very subjective opinion that most of the films Q listed there are very poor, I never offered reasons or expanded on what I found bad about them) but if your assumption or insinuation is that I’m not equipped to approach Indian film criticism the way it ought to be because you assume I’m wearing Hollywood-goggles then I’m not sure how to respond to that. Other than to say I think you’re wrong.
September 21, 2010 at 11:05 PM
I wasn’t referring to you personally, and I’m sorry if that’s how it came off. I was referring to the kind of critics, both Indian and non-Indian, who do approach Indian films with Hollywood goggles, as you put it, and seem incapable of seeing or understanding a different approach to either film making or story telling, except what they have been indoctrinated into as “the” way. I’m also referring to amateur critics (which is to say, North Americans who have discovered Bollywood films, and even enjoy them, but nevertheless judge everything they see through the prism of what is “normal” in their own culture).
September 21, 2010 at 11:07 PM
I just reread my comment above, and I’m truly puzzled why you think it was referring to you, when I was giving specific examples of the way certain critiquing approaches may not apply to Indian/Hindi films.
September 21, 2010 at 4:29 PM
“Yes, this is exactly why I like him and his films.”—Liking someone because “Few can have lived that ideal more completely than Salman Khan’s own family”—is fine and understandable!
But liking someones “acting” and “filmography” because of the commendable attitude of his “family” is a bit misplaced.
And liking him enuf to have loved veergati, dil ne jise apna kaha (and not having watched agneepath and bahchan heyday films)–is “commendable”.
lol
“LOL, OK, Qalandar, but since I am neither running a child pornography ring nor anti trust violations, etc., I think I am correct in saying that the Indian government can’t prosecute me for statements I make on the internet, via an ISP that is not answerable to them.”–sm, is on fire—angry young (wo)man! hahaha
September 21, 2010 at 5:24 PM
I like his films because the values expressed in that statement are often portrayed in his films. I like Veergati for daring to consider the plight of the abandoned “illegitimate” babies who are too many in Indian society.
September 21, 2010 at 5:34 PM
In any case, the “reason” I was referring to for liking Salman’s films was what Qalandar summarized as “cinematic populism (a populism, I might add, that is not jingoistic, nasty, or mean, relative to some other populisms-in-film that come to mind)”
September 21, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Well, here’s an interesting take on the postponement of Anjaana Anjaani:
allusirish
The buzz in Bombay trade is Anjaana Anjaani was pushed by a week cuz single screens weren’t willing to accomodate it. Thx to Dabangg! Whoa! about 12 hours ago via TweetDeck
(Allu Sirish is the son of Allu Arvind, the producer, among other things, of the Hindi Ghajini).
September 21, 2010 at 11:10 PM
Sm for u an exercpt Manu Sharma case’s by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s Verdict- (i m placing Link at the bottom where u can find full text from the Link
It is not for debate purpose only for information and to show that how media has been informed by the Hon’ble Apex Court to value he process of Law and more. Nowadays i have been enlightened and partly heard from some that newsparer reporters who make an investigation file, with records to show to the court in case they are called in court to justify their articles, to check their truthness of journalism and reporting, as in one of the case recently Court had called upon a file, slowly and steadily m sure Indian Media would have a guidelines and they would have to abide by them, let freedom of speech be there, as a fundamental right of this country but it has to be seen vigilantly its not misused. An accuse has above all a right to fair trial and unbiased trial. No one is above the Law. Law is Supreme.
now u can read relevant paras, its a real long judgement but interesting if u want to read
” In view of our discussion supra we direct expunction of all remarks made by the Trial Judge against the prosecution and by the Division Bench against the Trial Judge. Role of the Media and Press:
145) Mr. Ram Jethmalani, learned senior counsel for the appellant submitted that the appellant-Manu Sharma had been specifically targeted and maligned before and during the proceedings by the media, who proclaimed him as guilty despite even after his acquittal by the Trial Court. He took us through various news items that were published in English & Hindi dailies. He elaborated that “Justice should not only be 222
done, it should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.” This common law rule can not be ignored. 146) Cardozo, one of the great Judges of American Supreme Court in his “Nature of the Judicial Process” observed that the judges are subconsciously influenced by several forces. This Court has expressed a similar view in P.C. Sen In Re: AIR 1970 SC 1821 and Reliance Petrochemicals Ltd. v. Proprietors of Indian Express 1988 (4) SCC 592. 147) There is danger, of serious risk of prejudice if the media exercises an unrestricted and unregulated freedom such that it publishes photographs of the suspects or the accused before the identification parades are constituted or if the media publishes statements which out rightly hold the suspect or the accused guilty even before such an order has been passed by the Court.
148) Despite the significance of the print and electronic media in the present day, it is not only desirable but least that is expected of the persons at the helm of affairs in the field, to ensure that trial by media does not hamper fair investigation by the investigating agency and more importantly does not prejudice the right of defence of the accused in any manner 223
whatsoever. It will amount to travesty of justice if either of this causes impediments in the accepted judicious and fair investigation and trial.
149) In the present case, certain articles and news items appearing in the newspapers immediately after the date of occurrence, did cause certain confusion in the mind of public as to the description and number of the actual assailants/suspects. It is unfortunate that trial by media did, though to a very limited extent, affect the accused, but not tantamount to a prejudice which should weigh with the Court in taking any different view. The freedom of speech protected under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution has to be carefully and cautiously used, so as to avoid interference in the administration of justice and leading to undesirable results in the matters sub judice before the Courts. 150) A Bench of this Court in the case of R.K. Anand v. Delhi High Court (2009) 8 SCC 106, clearly stated it would be a sad day for the court to employ the media for setting its own house in order and the media too would not relish the role of being the snoopers for the Court. Media should perform the acts of journalism and not as a special agency for the Court. 224
The impact of television and newspaper coverage on a person’s reputation by creating a widespread perception of guilt, regardless of any verdict in a Court of law. This will not be fair. Even in the case of M.P. Lohia v. State of W.B. & Anr. (2005) 2 SCC 686, the Court reiterated its earlier view that freedom of speech and expression sometimes may amount to interference with the administration of justice as the articles appearing in the media could be prejudicial, this should not be permitted.
151) Presumption of innocence of an accused is a legal presumption and should not be destroyed at the very threshold through the process of media trial and that too when the investigation is pending. In that event, it will be opposed to the very basic rule of law and would impinge upon the protection granted to an accused under Article 21 of the Constitution [Anukul Chandra Pradhan v. Union of India & Ors. (1996) 6 SCC 354]. It is essential for the maintenance of dignity of Courts and is one of the cardinal principles of rule of law in a free democratic country, that the criticism or even the reporting particularly, in sub judice matters must be 225
subjected to check and balances so as not to interfere with the administration of justice.
152) In the present case, various articles in the print media had appeared even during the pendency of the matter before the High Court which again gave rise to unnecessary controversies and apparently, had an effect of interfering with the administration of criminal justice. We would certainly caution all modes of media to extend their cooperation to ensure fair investigation, trial, defence of accused and non interference in the administration of justice in matters sub judice.
…..
8) No prejudice had been caused to the right of the accused to fair trial and non-furnishing of the copy of one of the ballistic reports had not hampered the ends of justice. The right of the accused to disclosure has not received any set back in the facts and circumstances of the case. 9) The High Court has rightly convicted the other two accused, namely, Amardeep Singh Gill @ Tony Gill and Vikas Yadav after appreciation of the evidence of PWs 30 and 101.
228
10) Normally, the judgment/order should be set aside or affirmed as the case may be but preferably without offering any undesirable comments, disparaging remarks or indications which would impinge upon the dignity and respect of judicial system.
11) Every effort should be made by the print and electronic media to ensure that the distinction between trial by media and informative media should always be maintained. Trial by media should be avoided particularly, at a stage when the suspect is entitled to the constitutional protections. Invasion of his rights is bound to be held as impermissible.”
http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1515299/
September 21, 2010 at 11:11 PM
that smiley in middle of text is by error, regretted
September 21, 2010 at 11:30 PM
@gf, satyam and q bhai.. and all lovers of good fellas.. u would be surprised or even shocked and scratch ur head reading this
Earlier today, with the news that Tom Cruise was almost cast in Goodfellas, Christopher Rosen asked “Can you imagine Tom Cruise as a coked up Henry Hill?” Well, yeah, I actually can! This was a Tom Cruise that just came off an Oscar nomination for Born on the Fourth of July. But could Goodfellas have been better with Tom Cruise as Henry Hill? Ahead, Christopher and I try to get to the bottom of that very question via the convenience of Gchat.
Mike: Is it wrong that I think I would have liked Cruise better than Ray Liotta? This is Days of Thunder Cruise! Not jumping on the couch, Knight and Day Cruise.
Christopher: No, it still wouldn’t work. Think about how slimy Liotta is in Goodfellas.
Mike: I think Liotta was the weak link of that movie. I mean, he’s fine, but still the weakest of the main characters.
Christopher: Blasphemy. I love Liotta in Goodfellas.
Mike: Also, think about how slimy Cruise was in Magnolia.
more from here
http://www.movieline.com/2010/09/would-tom-cruise-have-improved-goodfellas-a-movieline-im-debate.php
September 21, 2010 at 11:37 PM
whoa! never knew this…
September 22, 2010 at 8:20 AM
Actually, I’d known about this. Cruise had worked with Scorsese in “The Color of Money” and I’d read years ago that he was offered Goodfellas and rejected it. Think Liotta was fine and the film probably could have done without a movie star, though I think Cruise at that time would have meant something different than he does today to put it lightly…
September 21, 2010 at 11:43 PM
@SATYAM- please place it appropriately, its off topic
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Banned in Ireland 1971-2000, UK – by Stanley Kubrick (1973-1999), Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Spain
Adapted from Anthony Burgess’s best-selling novel, A Clockwork Orange tells the story of Alex and his gang of violent ‘droogs’ who kill tramps and rape women.
The film is infamous for copycat behaviour, which many thought to be the reason that director Stanley Kubrick withdrew the film in the UK. After his death, his wife Christiane revealed that the actual reason he had the film banned was on the advice of the police after severe threats were made to him and his family.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Banned in Finland (1984), UK, Brazil, Australia, West Germany, Chile, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Singapore and Sweden
Five friends go to visit their Grandfather’s grave after hearing it was vandalised, and pick up a hitchhiker on the way. After the hitchhiker takes a knife and slashes himself and one of the boys, they promptly get rid of him but have to stop for gas at a small sinister looking place which unbeknown to them, is the home of the chainsaw wielding Leatherface.
The film was loosely inspired by real-life murderer Ed Gein who wore human skin, but didn’t use a chainsaw.
The Exorcist (1973)
Banned in the UK, Malaysia and Singapore
One of the most controversial horror films of all time tells the story of a 12 year-old girl possessed by a demonic force and the two priests who try and save her soul.
The film received critical acclaim when it was nominated for 10 Oscars, and won 2 for Best Sound and Best Writing.
The Last Tango in Paris (1973)
Banned in Italy (1972-1986), Singapore, New Zealand, Portugal (1973-1974) and South Korea
A young Parisian woman (Maria Schneider) begins a sordid affair with a middle-aged American businessman (Marlon Brando) who wants their relationship to be based only on sex.
The film became notorious for its butter-lubricated sex scene, which still haunts Schneider, as it wasn’t part of the original script. In the New York Post, 2007, she said ‘I felt humiliated and, to be honest, I felt a little raped . . . Thankfully, there was just one take . . . I never use butter to cook anymore – only olive oil.’
FREAKS (1932)
Banned in Italy, Finland and Ireland
A beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of the circus performers who is also a dwarf, but his friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance.
Director Tod Browning took the exceptional step of casting real people with deformities, rather than using costumes and makeup. His choice shocked audiences of the time and despite the film having since achieved cult classic status, its release resulted in Browning struggling to find work.
for more go to the link -
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/banned-the-most-controversial-films-1768299.html?action=Popup&ino=2
September 22, 2010 at 12:04 PM
http://www.indiantelevision.com/aac/y2k10/aac630.php
first week grosser of all times with the box office figure of Rs 830 million from about 2000 screens.
The film has recovered the distributors’ investment in all territories including the cost of prints and publicity. Its first share at approximately Rs 460 million is more than the total share of Wanted which would be around Rs 350 million.
September 22, 2010 at 9:05 PM
Week’s delay could affect Anjaana Anjaani
Hiren Kotwani, Hindustan Times
Filmmakers may deny it but industry veterans maintain that postponing a film has not often benefited the movie. Anjaana Anjaani, scheduled for September 24, has been pushed ahead to October 1 because producer Sajid Nadidwala thought it prudent not to open on the day of Ayodhya verdict. But this means a clash with Robot, Rajnikanth’s Rs 150 crore sci-fi adventure. Meanwhile, Aakrosh that was ready to take on the Rajni biggie earlier, has moved to October 8 and will be in competition with Mukesh Bhatt’s Crook – It’s Good To Be Bad.
Veteran trade analyst Vinod Mirani insists that Anjaana Anjaani has not yet generated the expected buzz. “And I don’t think delaying the Priyanka Chopra-Ranbir Kapoor starrer will help either,” he opines.
Shaaminder Malik, a trade expert from North India, echoes the opinion: “Theatre owners had started planning for Anjaana Anjaani this Friday, the delay has dampened what little enthusiasm they had.”
Anjaana AnjaaniFrom a solo release on September 24, to clashing with Robot on October 1, will only add to Anjaana Anjaani’s woes, observes Amod Mehra, another Mumbai-based trade veteran. “Robot won’t be affected, it will be a clean sweep for the Rajni-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan film. But divided viewership over the weekend would mean that fewer people will be catching Anjaana Anjaani,” he says, “Aakrosh won’t suffer since it’s a different kind of cinema.”
Malik is also upbeat about Aakrosh because of Ajay Devgn. “He’s had a good run this year. Besides, the story set against the backdrop of honour killings, and people in the North should connect with the subject following recent reports,” he notes.
However, he points out that the period from Ganpati to Diwali is not great for movie watching. “Not many films do well during this time, since during Navratri, people are caught up with religious festivities,” he reasons. “Hype doesn’t help. If the content is not strong, no amount of promotion can make a hit film.”
September 22, 2010 at 9:07 PM
this whole story is pretty dumb. A grim subject like Aakrosh or a dubbed Robot will not be the reason why Anjaana Anjaani does not do well (if that turns out to be the case). This film’s target audience is a young multiplex one and I don’t exactly think they are divided between this and a film about honor killings! Gimme a break!
September 22, 2010 at 9:34 PM
DABANGG is a monumental hit. But not many people outside the film industry know that the film is having an unprecedented run at single screens. So much so that the distributors of most forthcoming releases will have a tough time procuring playing time at single screens, since the DABANGG wave is not ready to subside even after two weeks.
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/business_talk/444.html
I already posted the tweet from Allu Sirish reporting that AA got postponed because it couldn’t get single screen theaters, since they all wanted to keep Dabangg on. I did wonder why that would be a consideration for a film like AA, though.
September 22, 2010 at 9:19 PM
Chennai Box-office (Sep 17-19)
Wednesday, 22 September , 2010, 10:02
The CBO is booming as the Arya-Nayanthara romantic comedy Boss Engira Baskaran directed by Rajesh continues to do extraordinary business in its second week. The film is reported to have netted an amazing Rs 10 crore from nearly 275 screens across the state, which is phenomenal by any yardstick.
The marketing by Red Giants has also helped the film turn out to be an instant blockbuster, and it is the clear number one at the CBO by a mile. Many single screens in Tamil Nadu feel that since Enthiran release has been postponed by a week, it is advantage BEB. The status quo is maintained in the second week as Salman Khan’s Dabangg is at number two.
At number three is Drohi . In the fourth place is Vande Matharam , which due to lack of publicity, could not take an opening. Finally in the fifth place is Naan Mahaan Alla , which after peaking is now sliding.
http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14957364&cid=13525926
September 23, 2010 at 6:43 AM
Aamir is all praise for the other Khan.
He said, “ First of all I would like to congratulate Salman and the entire team of the film for the thundering success that Dabangg has got. It is an extremely enjoyable film. I really loved it. I thought Salman is excellent in the film. He has really worked hard on the film. He has brought out the character really well. He has played it really consistently right through. He is never out of character.”
Aamir also was all praise for Sonakshi Sinha, the female lead of Dabangg. “She is a great find,” he said.
For Rest follow link below
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/aamir-on-why-he-chose-to-take-up-peepli-live/131565-8-66.html?from=tn
September 24, 2010 at 12:51 AM
ANJAANA ANJAANI and the spectre of unknown
http://www.glamsham.com/movies/features/10/sep/23-anjaana-anjaani-and-the-spectre-of-unknown-091017.asp
Some interesting excerpts:
The moot point is that ANJAANA ANJAANI has been postponed as DABANGG continues to rule at the box office all across the country and it would be difficult for ANJAANA ANJAANI to replace it, as ANJAANA ANJAANI again is a film that has been set in USA with all the trappings of modern society, a trapping with which a small minority of the country may identify with but not the majority population of the country.
[...]
Then can one say that DABANGG has emerged as a film that could create moment of disruption in the history of Hindi films? it seems likely, as there is hardly a soul that has not been entertained by the kitsch in DABANGG and it indeed is a clarion call for the filmmakers to wake up and smell the coffee as audience has clearly sent the message across that the cinema has to bring in reference points of connect to which common man can identify with or else, it would continue to reject the dishes that are being offered to it by the film making fraternity.