Unlike 2011, which started with a bang [four successes in four consecutive weeks -- NO ONE KILLED JESSICA , YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA, DHOBI GHAT and DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI, respectively], the first three weeks of 2012 have been a complete contrast. The business has hit its lowest ebb. The much-awaited PLAYERS sank without a trace, while the four films that opened in the subsequent week [CHAALIS CHAURAASI, GHOST, SADDA ADDA and TUTIYA DIL] did precious little to boost the business. The Friday gone by witnessed no significant release and the cineplexes/single screens had to console themselves with holdover titles like THE DIRTY PICTURE and DON 2.
But things should change with AGNEEPATH, which, in my opinion, should be the first bonafide hit of 2012. Although the original, produced by Yash Johar and directed by Mukul S. Anand, was largely appreciated, it was a disappointment at the box-office back then. But I am expecting the remake, directed by Karan Johar's erstwhile assistant Karan Malhotra, to be a major money spinner.
Having reviewed AGNEEPATH twenty two years ago [besides attending its shooting at Brindavan Gardens in South India], I distinctly remember why the film failed to excite the audiences then. Amitabh Bachchan had decided to change his voice for the character of Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, which didn't go well with his incalculable fans who were used to his famous baritone. Though Bachchan Sr. re-dubbed his portions two weeks after its release, it was too late to salvage the film. However, AGNEEPATH won Bachchan Sr. the coveted National Award as Best Actor and though the film wasn't a commercial success, it's considered a cult classic by many who watched the film subsequently.
Besides AGNEEPATH, the months of February and March should pep things up. The promos/first look of GALI GALI CHOR HAI, EK MAIN AUR EKK TU, TERE NAAL LOVE HO GAYA, JODI BREAKERS, LONDON PARIS NEW YORK, KAHAANI, AGENT VINOD and BLOOD MONEY have already created a strong buzz and if the buzz translates into potent business, well, kya kehne.
Right now, everyone's speculating the weekend business of AGNEEPATH [it's a 4-day weekend, since the film opens on Thursday, 26 January]. What, in your opinion, will be the *opening weekend [nett] business* of AGNEEPATH in India?
Leave your estimates in the comments section below…
