Trade analysts say that Salman Khan’s Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’s Eid release will not be affected by the IPL frenzy. – Exclusive
IPL frenzy
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has arrived, and it has already caused quite a stir and piqued the interest of many potential spectators. But how does it affect the movies that come out around this time? Most industry experts agree that the IPL and movies can now coexist together. However, this year there aren’t many movies coming out during the IPL besides Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (KKBKKJ) starring Salman Khan, which may be why there’s been a surge in cricket’s popularity. If the release of Bhai has any hope at all, it will get the boost it needs over the Eid weekend.
Trade expert Girish Johar concurs, saying, “At the moment, we are aware that there are no releases at the box office.” Even the movie industry is struggling. It’s plain to see that people are interested in the IPL. In the past, certain movies’ box office receipts might rise or fall based on the results of crucial matches. However, there are no blockbuster films being released this year, thus the influence is null and void. Therefore, the IPL can start over from scratch. No one can compete with them. I really really want the box office would improve. Theatres are also getting in on the action by showing IPL games.
However, according to Akshaye Rathi, the film industry and cricket can coexist peacefully. The IPL has been operational for almost a decade, he noted. We’ve finally reached an era where many forms of entertainment may coexist. Bholaa appeared around IPL, has remained since, and has performed as predicted financially. A film’s success or failure is ultimately determined by its own qualities and flaws after a certain threshold is reached.
Atul Mohan elaborates, “The IPL attracts a vast audience, including those who may not be frequent movie-goers but would be interested in seeing a great cricket match. Movies released in April or May may struggle at the box office because of the intense competition from the IPL. Many production companies are reluctant to take this chance. Bollywood has learned from previous mistakes and is now very careful about releasing big movies during the IPL season. Instead, studios want to release their movies around times when there are less competing events to draw audiences away. Major Bollywood releases are typically avoided during the IPL season in order to maximise profits for the industry. Producers can increase their films’ chances of success and draw a bigger audience by not competing with the IPL.
There are just a handful of major films scheduled for release between the start of the IPL and its conclusion at the end of May, with the exception of Salman Khan’s Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (which opens on April 21). Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Jogira Sa Ra Ra, Telugu’s Chhatrapati, and Bad Boy, starring Namashi Chakraborty, are the other films.
After a four-year hiatus, Salman Khan is making a triumphant box office return on EID, a date that has historically been good to him. However, this year’s festival date has the industry worried.
“The precise date of Eid has not yet been announced by the religious authorities,” Johar remarked. However, on Eid, Salman Khan movies typically have huge box office returns. If Friday is a holiday because Eid is on Friday, then that’s a wonderful day to begin. No compromise is possible. If Eid falls on a Saturday, sales can be lacklustre on Friday before picking up during the weekend. All we can do is wait and see what happens. The crowds love Salman Khan on Eid. The viewers see it as a gift from him as well. If the stars align, it might be a huge doorway.
In addition, Rathi says, “It’s impossible to predict right now for KKBKKJ, but with Salman Khan’s celebrity bringing in masses and family viewers, it should open around 15+ crores. Salman Khan is finally making it to Eid after a four-year absence. As a result, there is a lot of excitement and optimism surrounding it. The film’s success is now being anticipated. Hope springs eternal”
Pathaan and the Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor film Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar have helped make the first three months of 2023 respectable. In an interview, Rathi stated, “The first quarter has been reasonably good, with Pathaan really being the cherry on top and doing the numbers no Hindi film has been able to do till now.” It’s clear that viewers will support movies as long as they’re worth their time, money, and brainpower. People will return to the movies in historic numbers for the upcoming Mission Impossible and Fast & Furious films.
According to Atul Mohan, “The first quarter of 2019 brought in 1100 crore rupees, or 25% of the total box office profits of 4400 crore rupees. Up until the middle of March in 2020, earnings were around 650 crores, but the pandemic caused severe losses in 2021 and 2022. Pathaan is the most successful film of the year so far, with Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar also contributing. Pathaan has single-handedly generated 75% of the revenue. The launching of Bholaa towards the end of the quarter helped boost revenue for the first three months of the year.
