Rs 100 crore at stake for Bollywood this Diwali

NEW DELHI: Close to Rs 100 crore is at stake for Bollywood during the Diwali weekend with two big budget movies, Golmaal 3 and Action Replayy, slated for debut that will set the tone for other significant releases next month.

For cinema theatres that tend to focus on cashing on the maximum during the opening weekend of a movie release, launch of a big film around a major holiday has become crucial for their revenue model. It also dictates fortunes for the Indian film industry that produces the most number of flicks in any single year around the world. “Movie buffs look forward to Diwali and Christmas as big movies are released during this time,” said trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Although, the quantum of money at stake this year is just half of the production budget of the three movies released last Diwali, the industry would be hoping for a better show. While mega budget flick Blue and a mid-sized movie Main Aurr Mrs Khanna sank, another relatively big budget movie, All the Best, was the only one that managed to woo audiences last year.

Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision produced Golmaal 3 starring Ajay Devgn , Kareena Kapoor and Arshad Warsi will lock horns with Vipul Shah produced Action Replayy starring Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, for eyeballs. Golmaal 3 is being distributed by Eros International that recently raised money through a public issue of shares and PVR Pictures, a subsidiary of multiplex operator PVR Ltd , will distribute Action Replayy in India.

“We slotted Action Replayy for a Diwali release as it is a fun film and in sync with the festive spirit,” said producer & director Vipul Shah. Kamal Gianchandani, CEO of PVR Pictures said scheduling a film release during Diwali has to do with consumers’ willingness to spend on shopping and entertainment. Both the comedy movies will have wide release with an above average 1,800-2,000 prints with marketing budget of around `7-8 crore each, the same amount used to make a small budget film.

Rupen Amlani, director-marketing & distribution at Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision said the company has tied up with several brands for in-film placement and promotional tie-ups. These include Tupperware, Emami and Bagpiper among others. The multiplex industry executives believe if both the movies click with the audience, it could turn out to be one of the biggest weekend grossers for them this year, possibly surpassing the previous best during the Id weekend when Dabangg was released.

Following the two Diwali weekend releases in November, there will be Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Guzarish besides movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 in 3D. December will see Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan starring Akshay Kumar.

Star special 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' for Diwali

Sony Entertainment Television Asia has lined up a star-fest 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' this week to coincide with Diwali.

The Diwali episodes will showcase Bollywood superstars such as Akshay Kumar who along with his 'Action Replayy' actors Neha Dhupia, Shreyas Talpade and Rannvijay among the others play the gameshow their team members. They are currently promoting the release of 'Action Replayy', which opens up at cinemas this Diwali weekend.

Not one to be left behind, stars from this weekend's other Diwali box office release 'Golmaal Returns' including Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi, Tushar Kapoor, Kunal Khemu, Rohit Shetty, Shreyas Talpade make an appearance on 'KBC'.

Beside Bollywood stars, the show will also see sport personalities Leander Paes (Tennis), Sushil Kumar (Wrestler ), Manoj Kumar (Wrestler), Jwala Gutta (Badminton), Sreesanth (Cricketer), Ashwini Ponnapaa (Badminton),who earned laurels for the country at the recently held Common Wealth Games play a different game on the 'Hot Seat' with Amitabh Bachchan.

For Indian television fans, Pooja Gor (Pratigya), Ragini Khanna (Suhana), Tanya (Aishwarya Sakhuja), Aashka Gordia (Kalaben) & Disha (Daya ben) will also be present to perk up the entertainment quotient.

A brand new set, a special format and a new hot seat will add further spice to the special episodes. The four-episode special will be shown all this week at 21:00 on Sony Entertainment Television Asia.

In Pictures

Ash continues to flourish in Bollywood as she turns 37

By Agencies
Mumbai: Ash continues to flourish in Bollywood as she turns 37: Usually the career of a Bollywood diva takes a downfall one she reaches 30, but Aishwarya seems to be an exception.

As she turns 37 today, she still remains to be every director’s delight. She has two mega projects—“Action Replayy” opposite Akshay Kumar and “Guzaarish” opposite Hrithik Roshan lined up for release.

The former is slated to hit theatres this Diwali and the latter on 19th November. She has completed 13 years in her film career. Director Subhash Ghai stated “Aishwarya always followed me during the shooting of ‘Taal’, and is a complete director’s actor.”

He said further, “I’m proud she has evolved so much as an actor. She is giving good performances, she has achieved international fame, and she is leading a happy married life — what else can she ask for from life? But she is as grounded as ever.”

Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the other hand stated “Aishwarya is my muse, my jaan and I get terribly excited when I make a film with her because she is very, very special. Some people are timeless and Aishwarya will be there for another 20 years.”

Sachin Tendulkar: Love For Films Continues To Be Off-Screen

Previously Sunil Gavaskar, Vindi Kambli and Ajay Jadeja have been part of various films will Sachin follow the suit too in near future, let’s just wait and see.

Sachin Tendulkar is a self confessed Hindi movie buff but no matter what rumors are doing the rounds the master blaster is no mood to join the film world. After breaking one record after another the rumor had it that soon Sachin might just make his silver screen debut. But the guy has busted all the rumors stating that all his main interested is still cricket and his interest for Bollywood stays limited to watching films only.

The alleged news of him acting on films caught up even more when Vidu VInod Chopra met Sachin and the buzz started that the director – producer has signed the cricketer for his upcoming directorial venture Ferrari Ki Sawarri. But unfortunately and fortunately all the Sachin fans have to satiate themselves to seeing the man hitting some six4s and fours on the field and not show casing his histrionics on-screen.

Sachin and his wife recently wanted to relax after scoring his 49th ton by watching Rishi Kapoor – Neetu Singh starrer Do Dooni Chaar. The cricketer called up his good friend Vidhu Vinod Chopra and asked him the favor of arranging a private screening for him and his family. No wonder that Sachin was obliged with the request and the debutant director of the film Habib Faizal is honored.

Vivek Oberoi's wedding reception

Akshay Kumar, Virender Sehwag, L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Riteish Deshmukh, Tabu, Siddharth, Genelia D'Souza, Shatrughan Sinha, Ram Gopal Varma, Farah Khan, Digvijay Singh, Narayan Rane and other celebs were present at Vivek Oberoi's wedding reception

Diya Mirza

Riya Sen Caught Unzipping On Camera

Riya Sen Caught Unzipping On Camera

Aishwarya and Kareena fighting this Diwali

She is the most beautiful women alive in Bollywood and another has topped the power list of Bollywood damsels.

Folks, this Diwali there’s a fight for supremacy as the top ladies of Bollywood glitterati will be battling it out for the crown of the Queen. Both Aishwarya and Kareena will be seen in this year’s Diwali dhamakas ‘Action Replayy’ and ‘Golmaal 3’ respectively and people have started the speculations on who will emerge as the winner.

Well the opinion is fairly divided in the industry who is giving almost equal points to both the B-town lovelies Kareena and Aishwarya.

According to some it will be Aishwarya who will grab the crown which is still not occupied, whereas some believe Kareena will surpass everyone and will pose happily with the crown. The reasons being given for Kareena is her popularity as a brand and her top position in brand endorsements where she has  bagged major giants, she acted in the mega hit ‘3 Idiots’ which became the biggest grosser of Bollywood last year.

Aishwarya on the other hand has the biggest hit of Bollywood history ‘Robot’ to her credit and being a senior and ex Miss world, Aishwarya can bank on her vast range of admirers around the globe.

Difficult to say who will be able to influence the audience the most but one thing is sure… This Diwali, Bollywood promises guaranteed entertainment where you have Vipul Shah’s rom com ‘Action Replayy’ bringing the nostalgia of the swinging seventies back, whereas Rohit Shetty with his gang and the laughing gas is back with the third edition of the fun and masti ‘Golmaal3’… Obviously the audience would love to watch both the film but folks, the question is who will be the first choice... Aishwarya or Kareena…? tell us as we all want to know…