Sci-fi, comedy, drama to sizzle screens

The festival of lights will see a 3-D superhero (Ra.One), a philandering husband (Damadamm!) and a daughter in search  of her father (Tell Me O Kkhuda) in theatres.  Deepa Karmalkar predicts boxoffice results this festive season 

Conventionally Diwali is regarded as the most auspicious time for a film release by the Hindi film industry. "That’s the time when people get their bonus, they are in a mood to spend a lot of money and take their families for outings. An ideal time for a film release," indicates Udaya Tara Nayar, veteran entertainment journalist. Big production houses and mega stars have always coveted Diwali releases and the festive time continues to rustle up excitement in the filmdom even today. However, trade observers see a clear shift from Diwali to Christmas these days, "Look, people are busy with Diwali celebrations for the first two days and then they also go out vacationing — so the boxoffice turnout may not be satisfactory. But during the Christmas vacation, they have all the time to catch movies and, therefore, the last week of December is turning out to be the ideal time for releasing mega-budget ventures over the past few years (Ghajini (2008), 3 Idiots (2009), Tees Maar Khan (2010) and Don 2 (2011))," N P Yadav, the editor of Entertainment Trade Weekly points out.

Ra.One, starring Shah Rukh Khan, is being released in more than 3,000 theatres across the world

Shah Rukh Khan appears to be making the best of both the festive seasons as he releases his dream project Ra.One on Diwali while his Don 2 has snapped up the Christmas slot. Ra.One, pegged at a mammoth budget of Rs 150 crore, is all set to spread its net deep and wide by releasing in over 3,000 theatres across the world, including 400-500 3D screens. Fishing further for audience, Ra.One is being dubbed in regional languages too.

At the dazzling music release, Shah Rukh Khan reasoned, "As a production house, we thought it would be prudent to dub the film in both Tamil and Telugu and release it simultaneously with the Hindi original because it is a gigantic film in 3D. It is a film which is very close to my heart and I am glad that it has been generating unprecedented interest for one and all. It is the biggest film from India with an unprecedented number of visual effects and some jaw-dropping stunts," he added.

SRK and Eros, the co-producer of alongside Red Chillies Entertainment, are spreading the dragnet to foreign shores as well. New territories like Germany and Taiwan are also being explored with Ra.One.

Well, if you thought who would want to watch a SRK-starrer in Germany, you got a rethink coming. Eros spokesperson informs that Khan is immensely popular in Germany — as was evident when he shot a major chunk of Don 2 there. Besides he has been regularly attending the Berlinale Film Fest too.

By releasing the film on Wednesday instead of Friday, Ra.One will further benefit by the five-day-long festive weekend. "Ra.One has already recovered Rs 75 crore through music (Rs 10 crore), satellite (Rs 38 crore), overseas (Rs 27 crore) and digital rights. Add to that the merchandise — G.One toys with Mc meals, bedsheets, mugs et al. As the Eros rep put it "the film is being monetised across all streams from satellite to merchandise".

Skeptics have been expressing their misgivings about the film as SRK is no action hero and that age is not on his side. But Yadav brushes off these objections saying, "Ra.One is not just an action flick, it is basically a family drama full of emotions. SFX technologies are just a part of it. It conveys a lovely message that even dads can be "as wonderful if not better than mums" Ra.One is a sure shot fire cracker," he asserts.

With SRK’s double role — the blue-eyed, superhero G.One and the regular family man, Kareena and Akon’s item dhamaka ‘Chammakchallo`85’ and Rajnikanth’s guest appearance — all in 3D, the film sure evokes a great curiosity.

Pitched opposite such an aggressively marketed mega-starrer, what chance does Hema Malini’s home production Tell Me O Kkhuda, meant as daughter Esha’s comeback vehicle, stand?

Hema Malini’s home production Tell Me O Kkhuda is meant as daughter Esha’s comeback vehicle

Hema argues, "It’s not as if people would want to watch only one film during Diwali. If they like both, they’ll see them both. I personally think Diwali is a wonderful window for any auspicious film. Some of the biggest successes have happened during the festive season. So why not go for it?"

Clearly the yesteryear Dreamgirl is undaunted by massive competition, "We’ve made an emotional father-daughter story. I don’t think we need to fear competition from anyone."

As Esha revealed that the story revolves around the journey of a girl in search of her father across Rajasthan, Turkey and Goa. Apart from real-life papa Dharam starring with his daughter, the film also packs in a camel race and some zany action scenes in Goa and Turkey.

Although the trade verdict is not exactly heartening for Tell Me... as Yadav shrugs while predicting "doubtful" prospects for it, but veteran film critic Udayatara is rather optimistic about it, "There is always an audience for a good story told on screen. Also there are Dharam and Hema fans, who would patronise it." Surely, the fateful Friday will decide whether Esha is destined to make a comeback with a big bang.

Music director, singer, actor Himesh Reshammiya is rising from the ashes of Karzzz, Kajrare and Radio — Love On AIR and he’s cast off his grim, capped appearance for his Diwali release Damadamm!

Directed by Swapna Waghmare, the film stars Sonal Sehgal and Purbi Joshi opposite Himesh. "Back with a smile" is the catchphrase of the film, a musical romantic comedy in which Himesh plays a philandering husband sandwiched between wife and girlfriend. is a very good businessman, the film is made on a moderate budget of Rs 3-5 crore and he’s already recovered the cost through music and satellite rights. The theatre footfall will be his Diwali bonus," informs Yadav.

That the two songs — ‘Umrao Jaan’ and ‘Madhushala’ — from Damadamm! are already climbing popularity charts, makes for a good indication for Himesh’s comeback with a new hairdo and a smile.

This Diwali appears to be a comeback time of sorts for all the three lead stars — SRK post-My Name Is Khan, Esha Deol post-Hijack and Himesh after the mega debacle Kajraare.

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