First Bollywood Hit Superhit Blockbuster in 2009
New York is a Hit, Love Aaj Kal a Superhit and Wanted a Blockbuster
Oct 8, 2009
A fantastic opening, strong storyline and good critical reviews ensured that New York would be the first Bollywood blockbuster for the summer of 2009.
John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Neil Nitin Mukesh in New York
The trio delivered the first Bollywood hit in 2009. It is regarded as John Abraham's biggest opener, and Katrina Kaif's finest acting effort. The pretty actress, who rose to stardom largely on the strength of her costar Akshay Kumar's star power (in the comedies Namaste London, Welcome and Singh is King), was till recently considered to be eye candy. Not any more. She was hailed for her performance in the drama of three college friends, as she plays the wife of a man who harbors secret terrorist leanings.
Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal with Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone
A good opening was expected. But the phenomenal response to Love Aaj Kal took almost everyone by surprise, and it also emerged a blockbuster overseas, no mean feat for a film without Shahrukh Khan. It stars Saif Ali Khan, Rishi Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, with a Braziian model Giselle in the role of a typical Punjabi beauty. Incidentally Deepika Padukone made her debut in the Shahrukh Khan starrer Om Shanti Om. Loosely translated as 'Love then and now' the director successfully interweaves two parallel love stories, that of a modern couple who are headed in different directions, and two yesteryear lovers where one travels thousands of miles to catch a glimpse of the other. Many ascribe its success to director imtiaz Ali's growing popularity and respect. His previous Jab We Met started on a smaller scale but went on to be a superhit, and then a blockbuster in the Home Video and satellite circuits.
Salman Khan's Wanted
Last month's releases Dil Bole Hadippa and Wanted had a mixed response, in that the former fared better at metro multiplexes and the latter started strongly at smaller center single screens. Any doubts were put to rest on Monday, that had the benefit of being an Eid holiday. Wanted recorded the highest ever Bollywood box office collections for a Monday (approximately 7.25 crore). Critic reviews were mixed for both, but almost all acknowledged Salman Khan's star power. Directed by Prabhudeva, the action thriller has pretty Ayesha Takia as the heroine. Wanted is all set to emerge the biggest hit (blockbuster according to some) in the domestic market, but its ultimate rank may be hindered as it flopped overseas.
 |
