‘TKF’, ‘RRR’, ‘KGF 2’: THE GAME CHANGERS
Happy days are here again! The month of March witnessed two major success stories: THE KASHMIR FILES and RRR. The biz has rebooted, revived and rejuvenated the industry that was reeling under severe losses due to the pandemic.
‘KGF 2’: THE TSUNAMI IS ARRIVING
And now, as I pen this piece, the advance booking of KGF 2 has brought back the lost smiles. The film is expected to embark on an earth-shattering note worldwide. Hombale Films - the producers of KGF 2 - are reaping the harvest and no one is grudging it.
Flashback 2018, when KGF [first part] decided to lock horns with SRK’s ZERO at the ticket window. The trolls and the loyal fan base of SRK scoffed, mocked, ridiculed and dismissed Hombale Films, Excel Entertainment [Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar], AA Films [Anil Thadani] and Yash, who were extremely passionate about KGF. However, box-office can be so ruthless and unpredictable. ZERO emerged a fiasco, while KGF ruled the hearts and BO, both.
Today, when one witnesses the unprecedented hype surrounding KGF 2, one realises how much love this franchise has amassed in such a short span. Hombale Films, the producers of KGF, took the giant step of giving it a PAN-India release and KGF 2 is reaping the benefits. Mark my words, KGF 2 will shatter many records in days to come, setting new benchmarks and demolishing myths that plague our industry.
‘TKF’: A CASE STUDY
THE KASHMIR FILES is a case study for the entertainment industry. It knocked down RADHE SHYAM first and BACHCHHAN PAANDEY in the very next week. Again, like KGF [first part], no one saw it coming. Its numbers are an eyeopener. Come to think of it, films like KGF and THE KASHMIR FILES hammer the fact that content is King and the moviegoers are Kingmakers.
MAHA-RAJAMOULI
The other day, at the success party of RRR hosted by Jayantilal Gada, I told SS Rajamouli and his wife Rama that I am going to address him [Rajamouli] as Maha-Rajamouli henceforth. Reason: The ever-so-humble director has an enviable track record in Telugu films [all films directed by him are money spinners] and with BAAHUBALI, BAAHUBALI 2 and RRR, he is the biggest brand in the Indian entertainment industry today. No one comes close to him by miles. He is truly the Maharaja amongst storytellers today.
JR NTR - RAM CHARAN: THE PAN-INDIA SENSATIONS
That brings me to the actors who are household names in North India: Prabhas [BAAHUBALI and BAAHUBALI 2], Yash [KGF], Allu Arjun [PUSHPA] and now, Jr NTR and Ram Charan [RRR]. They have rewritten the rules of the game because they dared to take the leap: From the local industry to the national stage. This is just the beginning. I foresee many talented directors and actors arriving on the national scene and making a splash in the coming months. Just wait and watch!
