By - Amit kumaR Agarwal
Akshay Kumar's Bhooth Bangla had very low expectations in the film-industry when it arrived - mostly because
- It was not a franchise film
- It was a non-holiday release
- The songs were not hits
- Barring the two-franchises, horror-comedies haven't worked - list is very long
Bhooth Bangla, shattered all the BO Bhooths, read ghosts, and came up trumps!
It matters, when such a film becomes a success; 1st passing the Monday test, and then passing the 2nd Friday test with flying colors.
Why you ask?
Because, Indian film industry needs new IP's, to be not only successful, but to survive - a fact rankling the global film industry.
UK is on all time low, with only about 39% productions happening; Hollywood is struggling to deliver hits - prompting one of the top-3 most successful film-makers of all time, Steven Spielberg to highlight this importance!
If we look at the stats of last two years - either it is a sequel or a universe-film or film based on iconic historical figures that have worked big time barring Dhurandhar (both Jawan and Animal were helmed by south directors, with major south-stars).
Even Akshay who found his groove back with successful franchise films - Kesari 2, Housefull 5, Jolly LLB 3; so this new IP is very important.
One might aver that Bhooth Bangla is also helmed by a south-director, Priyadarshan, which is true - but the cast is entirely from the Hindi-heartland, so that sets the record straight!
The success of Bhooth Bangla also highlights the fact that the content in Indian Film Industry is so bad and so shallow, that even an imperfect film like Bhooth Bangla is seen as a 'perfect' entertainer.
BB has a brilliant 1st half; but the 2nd half is just about average - but is the audience complaining - not at all. The house-full shows at few properties on 2nd Sunday, make a definitive statement.
Bhooth Bangla with 200+ crore BO taking worldwide in only 9-days - is looking to finish in the 280-310 crore business worldwide and if my instincts are right, Bhooth Bangla 2 will be announced soon!