2013 A Year of Bollywood Delights
While bidding goodbye to 2013 it would be worthwhile to recall that this has been a good year for Bollywood and its fans. It saw many films cross the coveted earning figure of Rs 100 crore and beyond. The subject range was also widened giving discerning film buffs also a chance to enjoy a movie or two.
The year otherwise was a bleak one in almost all areas especially economics and safety of women. The GDP fell to between 4 - 5% and the carry over grief of the Nirbhaya rape incident in December 2012 made a very grim beginning to 2013. The glum mood was neutralised considerably by a wonderfully crafted biopic Bhag Milkha Bhag based on the life of the legendary sprinter Milkha Singh. The effort put in by Farhan Akhtar to resemble like young Milkha was a strong feature which lifted the movie in popularity charts very high. The very well directed film told the story of Milkha's successes and failures and audiences clapped and cried along. The nation once again showed that it wants to know more about its past heroes other than politicians.
The sequel movies like Aashiqui-2, Krrish-3 and Race-2 showed that if the brand is strong the fans will return to patronise it again and again. Continuity of the success formula of their earlier versions has established a bond with the viewers who now would be looking forward to the third instalments to carry forward the plots. Till a sequel flops the producers of these movies have a hot selling product in their hands.
Shah Rukh Khan once again had a movie which broke all previous records and critics are still wondering how did it do so. Chennai Express had the golden girl Deepika Padukone dancing away to glory while running away from a forced marriage in the title train. The movie also a tribute to the South Indian film industry from whom increasingly Bollywood is now borrowing plots rather than from Hollywood. 'Lungi dance' is still hitting the charts and listeners are enjoying this tribute to Rajnikant.
Another movie to catch attention was Madras Cafe based on many true life incidents in India's involvement in Sri Lanka during the fight between LTTE and Lankan government during Rajiv Gandhi's term as PM. The fast paced movie was well shot in a racy manner and John Abraham depicted his role very well. The movie was a deviation from the run of the mill type churned out by Bollywood. It was an out and out political drama which received a good reception at the box office. One hpoes to see more of such movies.
Bollywood did not disappoint on the romance front - its forte. Only the treatment this time was not only different but was on a grand scale and canvass. A film like Raanjhana treated so casually the romance between a Muslim girl with a Hindu boy making it look absolutely normal which is the way it should be. Sign of attitudes changing even when politics is still busy polarising society on religious lines. The colourful movie was a treat to watch.
Ram - Leela was another romantic plot emerging from hatred promoting two groups in a village in Saurashtra. Strong performances by its lead pair especially Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh and equally strong direction with catchy music and songs on lavish sets made this movie a must watch. It received a very strong response at the box office.
Yet another romantic movie of Deepika this time with Ranbir Kapoor smashed the box office records. Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani told of how romance never goes out of once life. Time and distance may dim it but can never suppress it. When given a chance it rekindles again and again. Very fine performance, beautiful sets and backdrops helped the movie click with the audiences of all ages.
The Lunchbox offered a totally different twist to romance between strangers brought together by of all things by a lunchbox. A film equally acclaimed by critics and film goers it lifted Bollywood to a new height in story telling. Its lead actor Irrfan Khan once again did not disappoint with his subtle and underplayed style of acting. A movie worth seeing for its different plot.
There were movies that touched upon tragedies in our society the answers to which are still being sought. Shahid told the story of the human rights activist and lawyer Shahid Azmi. Prakash Jha's Satyagraha told the story of Anna Hazare's fight against corruption and Kai Po Che revived the memories of 2002 Gujarat riots. Discerning audiences appreciated these sincere efforts.
Even a movie like Special 26 with no romance or action but a racy plot went on to earn nearly Rs 67 crores at the box office signalling that audiences were looking for alternative like the AAP party and not the BJP to the historical plots like Congress. The comedy movie Grand Masti crossed Rs100 crore figure by a crore once again signalling that when will a movie tick is still not a formula that has been cracked even in the 100th year of Indian cinema.
The there were movies like Jolly LLB, Fukrey, ABCD- Any Body Can Dance, Shud Desi Romance, which also went on to have successful run at the box office and offered a satisfying experience to its viewers. The much awaited high cost Vishwaroop starring Kamal hassan also made it in its Hindi and Tamil versions in the beginning of 2013.
However the year seems to belong to Dhoom -3 which has gone to smash all box ofice records both in India and outside. The Aamir Khan starrer also has Abhishek and Katrina Kaif and is on its way to cross a predicted Rs 300 crore collection at the box office. The action packed movie is now declared to be an all time blockbuster even though critics rated it as slightly above average.
There were many duds also produced but it is not the time to remember them.
Till date, Dhoom-3 has earned Rs 217 crores followed by Chennai Express at Rs 207 cr. Krrish-3 has mopped up Rs 187 cr and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani has collected Rs 179 cr. Ram-Leela is still earning at Rs 113 cr. Bhag Milkha Bhag has settled at Rs 109 cr followed by Grand Masti at Rs 101 cr and Race-2 at Rs 100cr. Still trying to touch this exclusive club are Aashiqui-2 at Rs 78.5 cr and Special 26 at Rs 67 crores. These are the top ten earning films of Bollywood during 2013 cumulatively earning Rs 1358.5 crores.
One thing in favour of Bollywood is that unlike politicians they are in touch with the pulse of the masses and understand their preferences and tastes much faster. Sooner or later they mirror the society.
Here is wishing that 2014 produces an equally if not more number of successful movies with diverse stories and plots to continue its march into the second centenary.
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