Will Ajay Devgn’s Singham 3 and Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, save Bollywood this Diwali?

Ajay Devgn's Singham 3 takes on Kartik Aaryan's Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 on the screens on Diwali.

The two are the most popular film franchises, and the makers have pulled no stops in promoting the films to lure the audience back to theatres.

Movie Trade Analyst Girish Wankhede, says expectations run high from both the films, with each having the potential to do a business of ₹200 crore and above. "Both these films are heavy star-driven vehicles and have tremendous recall value. Singham 3 would have a slight edge given its higher screen allocation."

Even though T series head Bhushan Kumar producer of Bhool Bhulaiyaa has petitioned the Competition Commission of India, to allocate an equal distribution of screens between the two films. According to sources

Rohit Shetty's Singham 3 is leading the national screen count over Bhool Bhulaiyaa, the ratio being 54:46.

Film Critic Joginder Tuteja says nonetheless it would be the biggest opening day for Bollywood in terms of ticket collections."Both the movies will make around 50 crores on its opening day, but in all probability, Singham has an edge. It is a multi-starrer with superstars, as a franchise it has been extremely successful, as well as in the space of the cop universe. Though Bhool Bhuliyan may have fewer shows and screens it is guaranteed a successful opening as well, given Kartik Aaryan's draw amongst the young and family audience."

Bollywood's 2024 report card has been less than promising in comparison to that of 2023. With several big-ticket films failing at the box office, hopes are riding high on both Singham 3 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.

2023 was a landmark year, we had nearly 18 super hit films, but this year has been a letdown with the highly anticipated films such as Chandu Champion, Bade Miya Chotte Miya, Fighter, Indian 2 and even Jigra didn't do too well. The movies which recovered their costs are way low in comparison to last year", says Girsh Wankhade. He further adds that except Stree 2, Kalki 2898AD, Shaitan and Hanuman, the rest which also includes Jr NTR's Devara, as well as Vicky Vidya ka Woh Wala Video, amongst others, were average grossers."

Despite producers trying to show their one-upmanship over the other by touting their film as the bigger hit than the other.

Recently Filmmaker Karan Johar, when asked if box figures were manipulated, agreed that they were indeed fudged to give a perception of success.

"Very often reported figures don't always reflect the actual performance of a film. There are instances of production houses resorting to big numbers to hype their films. If it says the film has made 500 Crores, it could well have been tweaked by 40 per cent", says trade analyst Sumit Kadel.

Girish Wankhade further adds it's a sorry state of affairs, where several recent films such as Fighter, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Savi and Jigra as well as some successful films such as Kalki and Munjya showed higher numbers than their actual collections. He says one needs to exercise caution from where we source numbers.

"Box office numbers will never gauge the true success over time. Over time the audience, and trade all get a sense of the film's performance. Even if one buys tickets, does bulk or corporate bookings it all fizzles out after three days. The audience gets a sense and it all comes out in the open. No inflated numbers can make up for a bad film."

If you have recently visited a movie theatre, you cannot miss several of the new releases jostling for space amongst past super hits.

Shahrukh And Salman Khan starrer Karan Arjun is all set to make its way into the theatres once again.

"A lot of old films have received a great response on the screens. They have a tremendous recall value, also for the new generation it's a novelty to watch them on the screens."

Actor and writer Piyush Mishra feels Bollywood stars and their obsession with being part of the crore club had resulted in the compromise of content.

"In the race to be part of the 100, 200, 300 crore club, they are being repetitive with ideas and concepts. I loved Pushpa, what an awesome screenplay. Why is Bollywood not able to churn out stories like these? There is general fatigue in terms of storytelling in the industry. You will get the box office once you start telling good stories."

Actor Kriti Sanon who had had a successful run at the theatres with the hit Crew and Teri Baaton Mein Uljha Jiya which was an average performer, says a good film will always merit good returns. "I think it was a phase at some point. But whether it's Crew, Stree 2, Munjya and some more films which have worked. It's not like all films are not working, but you have to give the audience something that entertains them and engages them. You need to put it out in a manner that they are driven to watch your movie and spend money, rather than wait for it to come on Ott. It's just the excitement that needs to be built around a good film. I don't think there has ever been an outstanding film that's not worked."

So as hope rides high, hopefully, 2024 ends on a cracker for the hit-starved industry, and the high-octane action cop universe Singham 3 takes on the horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.