‘How much business this movie made at box-office?’
‘What amount did it collect during the weekend?’
‘Did it have a blockbuster opening?’
YES! YES!! YES!!!
Then let us go and watch it out now in the theatre!
Old were the days when film`s content, its essence used to intrigue audiences and evoke them to watch that film. Today if we have a close look, the scenario is as different as chalk and cheese. These days, it is the bucks earned by a particular film, which most of the time, makes us decide whether to watch it or not.
Over the time era, as per the theory of evolution and revolution, many new concepts have been introduced in this glamorous world. 100 crore, 200 crore, 300 crore are the money clubs which are most coveted and almost every film is made with the burning desire to enter these clubs, almost every production house craves for it. In the haste of doing so, they sometimes lose their quality and end up serving something insipid, but yes, still earn unimaginable amounts which are totally out of our imagination league!
But this whopping quantum is one such symbol which makes it official whether a film is a superhit or huge flop. But have we ever wondered as to how such humongous collection a film can make? Isn`t it quite unbelievable when a film with no actual concept manages to seize the position in crore club? Well, in last few years, many such cases of faking the box-office collections have come up which is quite surprising.
While the hit-ness of film is making a major parameter to influence the choice of viewers, Bollywood is getting more encouraged to hype the buzz of their films and fake the collection numbers. The films which have got stuck in such controversies are Krish 3, Happy New Year and PK. Were these Bollywood`s top-notch films less, that even MSG- The Messenger of God, too, added itself in this controversial list.
The film of Dera Sacha Sauda’s chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh had become victim of controversies since its trailer release. Amidst this entire ruckus, they didn`t think twice before claiming their box-office collections as 100 crores. Its superficiality, religious misguide, misinterpretation of faith in god and encouragement of superstitions, yes, audiences fancy watching such films in cinema halls and that`s why the film collected huge good amount! Of course not; the fraud committed was exposed later and the revelations said that it was just to create buzz. Even Akshay Kumar`s ‘Baby’, which after receiving rave reviews, was unable to make it up to 100 crores, then how does ‘MSG’ stand a chance to enter the crore club?
A Bollywoodlife.com source had reported, “MSG: The Messenger hasn’t worked wonders at the ticket windows. In fact, the cinema halls are going empty every day. The scenario is so bad that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh eventually bought bulk tickets of his own movie.”
Also the website Bollywood Hungama which keeps a track of moolah collections revealed that MSG just collected 9.92 cr in the first week. “MSG… unexpectedly failed to impress viewers and performed far below its maker’s expectations,” a trade analyst said. A film exhibitor and distributor was also quoted saying that the response to film was okay but the audiences were mainly Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh`s followers.
Next in the list is last year`s blockbuster film Happy New Year which, reportedly, was said to have collected 100 cr in just 3 days, in which 1.43 cr came alone from Andhra Pradesh. A Telugu film website bluntly said that the film didn`t even get 143 screens in Andhra, let alone collect 1.43 cr. Who to believe now? Taking the film`s plot into consideration, it was not actually a content-driven flick and made in typical Bollywood style with action-comedy-thief-jewel-supportive heroine storyline. Then why do such films get so positive response in monetary terms too? Or is it again a matter of fake buzz?
Coming to Aamir Khan’s one of the highest-grossers, PK, it collected the amounts beyond our imagination and is now basking in its success in China too. It has collected 100 cr there as well and has created a history. But this achievement has not helped the movie to stay out of controversies. A famous journalist of Moneylife.com tweeted that, “So delhi was flocking 2 c #PK. Most of Mumbai wasn`t. Mystery of collections remains. Why d bizarre aggression on behalf of PK? #PaidTrolls?”
Her second tweet read, “#PK mystery. Were invisible aliens occupying seats? Regal in Mumbai had empty stalls, posh mall in suburbs had 10ppl on Christmas! Who paid?”
Obviously, Aamir’s huge fanbase came out immediately in defense, but their plan acted worst. Around 10-20 twitter handles of Aamir`s fans tweeted the same thing and that too at the same time against Sucheta Dalal! Their tweet was, “@suchetadalal we watched PK and it was houseful everywhere….PK collections tracked BY Rentrack USA based agency…so everything clear…” Now, doesn`t it seem suspicious and done deliberately? Needless to say, it was a planned action to sue the one who says anything against PK and tries to act as barrier in their money collections. Again a very amazing trick implemented to create fake buzz!
Surprises and shocks don`t cease here, there are fake reviews too which do a perfect job of misleading the audiences. It seems as if there is a deal done between the film and reviewers to give 3, 4 or 4.5 star ratings. But when cinegoers actually go and watch the film in theatre, only then theyrealize that the review was also fake and makes the viewers regret by the end of the film. Not everyone does the same; there are genuine and honest critics too, which generate real reviews. But the readers have not got an Inner Eye to distinguish between the real and fake one, so they fall prey to them and waste money over some terrible film. Reviews playing the barometer, again a wonderful marketing funda to create bogus buzz!
But some very amazing movies get overlapped and suppressed in this number game of Bollywood and are declared commercial flops, some examples being Margarita With A Straw and Bobby Jasoos. But applauses for the makers of these film who don`t choose a false path to promote their films and are happy with their critical acclamations.
It`s time that other filmmakers too, adopt the honest way, create authentic speculations and buzz, give away true news about their films and promote them in a controlled way. Rather than considering movie as a money-earning medium, look after how can you make it more entertaining. They should make a note that they and their business exist because of audiences and fooling your guardians is generally not a very good idea as they will come to know about it- sooner or later!
Tags: bollywood Bollywood Box-office Office
