2017 proved to be a rather mixed year for the industry with big ticket film underperforming at the box office while other smaller release emerged as dark horse money spinners. While each individual in the industry has certainly received a lesson or two in 2017, we at Bollywood Hungama have received one as well, which proclaims that no matter how big a star at the end the audience is the king.
Continuing with the tradition of predicting the year’s top film, like last year, this year too we at Bollywood Hungama are sticking our necks out vouching for these films, which in all likelihood will be big money spinners at the box office. So here are the films that we expect will be making it big at the box office in 2017.
Rs. 300+ crore
Thugs of Hindostan: What happens when a major Bollywood production house decides on developing a film that will feature two of the biggest names in the industry along with the rest of the cast members who are equally big stars in their own right...Well, let us tell you that it is called Thugs of Hindostan. Featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan alongside Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Sheikh the film started making headlines since the day it was announced. But adding that much more mystique to the film, apart from reports of Aamir Khan banning the use of cell phones on sets of the film is the rumour that it will in all likelihood be Aamir’s last feature film. In fact, the actor himself had stated that he would be taking a break from films to focus on a project that will include a film series based on the Mahabharat.
Now, given Aamir’s penchant for perfection, combined with Aditya Chopra’s production value and of course the stellar performance that will be there from the rest of the cast members the film is sure to surpass the Rs. 300 crore mark at the box office.
2.0 [Hindi version only]: The last time a film that featured the Southern superstar Rajinikanth released people saw a queue for tickets that extended an entire city block. We are indeed talking about Kabali that release of which saw Rajini fans flocking theatres both within the domestic and international markets.
Now, alongside Rajinikanth add the Bollywood khiladi Akshay Kumar to the cast members list as the film’s main antagonist and you have a recipe for a Rs. 300 cr blockbuster on your hands. But if that wasn’t enough, the film 2.0 that promises to be an out and out action packed entertainer is helmed by none other than S. Shankar who has in the past given us flicks like I and Enthiran to name a couple.
Rs. 200+ crore
Simmba: Take one of the most effervescent actors of today combine him with one of the most talented directors for a film that promises to be an all-out action drama and you have yourself a Rs. 200 crore money spinner. Well Karan Johar’s Dharma Production has just that in the form of Simmba that marks the union of Ranveer Singh and Rohit Shetty. While this will be the first film the two of them work together in the actor has stated that he will ensure that Simmba will be Shetty’s biggest film till date.
Race 3: Remember the popular franchise Race? Well Ramesh Taurani is now all set on making the third instalment in the franchise. But this time stepping it up, the filmmaker has roped in one of the biggest names in the industry. Though 2017 saw Salman Khan achieve the pinnacle of box office success on one end, while his other release underperformed the actor has promised to be back with a bang in 2018 with Race 3.
But, if you still think that wasn’t enough, the said film will be directed by Remo Dsouza and will also feature another stalwart from the industry Anil Kapoor.
Padmaavat: Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for making films not just on a larger than life scale but his film also feature ample amount of grandeur and production value. Now combine this with a stellar cast of Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor and you have a sure shot winner. However, given that the film, was initially slated to his screens in December and the number of controversies surrounding it, Padmaavat looks easily a Rs. 200 cr+ film.
Rs. 150 crores
Gold: 2017 proved to be a successful year for Akshay Kumar with both his releases achieving box office success. Well this year the actor will be seen in the sports film Gold that is directed by Reema Kagti. Given Akshay’s track record for his recent releases, and the fact that who better to feature in a sports film than one of the fittest actors Akshay, the film is expected to work rather well at the box office.
Zero: Shah Rukh Khan last couple of releases have opened to mixed response from both the audience and critics alike. However, one thing remains, each of the film have done well at the box office. This year we finally see the much talked about and keenly anticipated film Zero featuring Shah Rukh Khan returning to the screen with his Jab Tak Hai Jaan co-stars Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma helmed by none other than Aanand L Rai.
If that wasn’t enough with the film featuring Shah Rukh as a dwarf, the audience are pretty keen on viewing this cinematic outing on the big screen.
Sanjay Dutt biopic: Rajkumar Hirani, a name that has now become synonymous with films that entertain and hold a rather relevant social message. Now combine Hirani’s directorial prowess with the acting chops of Ranbir Kapoor in a film that is based on one of the most prolific actor’s life and you have a winner. Well the Sanjay Dutt biopic is just that, however given the rather sceptical view of the audience about what exactly the film will feature estimates state that the biopic though good will not be a record breaking film at the box office.
Rs. 100 crores
Total Dhamaal: Comedies are usually sure shot money makers at the box office. And if a film comes as the third instalment to successful films in the franchise, it is certain to be a crowd puller. Well Total Dhamaal is just that. Featuring Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Riteish Deshmukh and Arshad Warsi, Total Dhamaal that promises to be a rib-tickler is directed by Indra Kumar.
Dark Horse
Gully Boy: Musical dramas don’t usually enthral the Bollywood audience, but Zoya Akhtar’s next titled Gully Boy is exactly that. However what sets this film apart is the casting that comprises of Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. It is this unique casting that has compelled us to rank the film as a dark horse, a film that just might make it big at the box office.
Raid: Another film that firmly classifies as a dark horse is the Ajay Devgn- Ileana Dcruz starrer Raid. Said to be based on a real life incident revolving around one of the most popular Income Tax raids in the country the film is set in the 1980s and is helmed by Raj Kumar Gupta. Though much details of the film have not been revealed, buzz is that Devgn might just recreate the success of his recent release Golmaal Again.
Baaghi 2: Back in 2016 the Tiger Shroff starrer Baaghi hit screens, also featuring Shraddha Kapoor the film turned out to be a sleeper hit of the year. Now a couple of years on we see a sequel of the film being reading to hit screens. Once again featuring Tiger, Baaghi 2 also stars Disha Patani. Considering both their fan following we have to list Baaghi 2 as a dark horse of 2018.
Disclaimer: Though we have categorized the films into the segments of Rs. 100 cr, Rs. 200 cr, Rs. 300 cr based on our predictions of their collections, a plus or minus 5% margin of difference can be expected between the predicted figures and attained figures at the box office.
