Hit films of 2008.
Directors of bollywood films had experimented with different types of subjects in 2008. The films which had done great business include Race, Jodha – Akbar, Sarkar Raj, Jane Tu Yaa Jane Na, Singh is King, etc. There are a number of films released or are scheduled to be reduced in October, November, including Dostana, Yuvraaj, Heroes, Golmaal Returns which have strong potential of doing good business.
But the acceptance of the relevant films and rejection of the rest has not created a clear indication in respect of the likings of the viewers in 2008. Race was a suspense-thriller where the unfolding of truth relating to the killing of Saif Ali Khan was dramatic. The music was also innovative with the song “pehli nazar me” becoming a big hit. The stars in the film including Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Khanna, Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu, Sameera Reddy had contributed well in their respective roles.
Jodha-Akbar was a period film, and the impressive constumes of Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai had added flavour in the musical blockbuster. The criticism relating to the historical background of Jodha had helped the film more than affecting its business. The performance of Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai were well appreciated. At the same time the subject of Sarkar Raj was accepted by the viewers. The performance of Big B, Abhishek Bacchan was also accepted.
The same group of viewers had appreciated the performance of Imran Khan in Jane Tu Ya Jane Na, knowing him to be beginner. The music of AR Rehman was very entertaining and the performances of the new performers were also excellent. Singh is King had exotic locations, melodious music, specially the song “dil kho gaya” being liked by everyone.
If all the successful films are analysed it is difficult to infer whether the viewers liked the comedy films or the action thrillers or the period films or the romantic ones. But few inferences can be drawn. Firstly Katrina Kaif had been the greatest crowd-puller in the year. Two of her films Race and Singh is Kingh, did great business. If Yuvraaj also becomes hit, there will be no doubt that the glamour and screen presence of Katrina Kaif had charmed the viewers more than any other star in bollywood films. Further the presence of Saif Ali Khan in a number of films and one becoming hit and the other doing mediocre business like Tashan, shows the fact that he is not having the same popularity which he enjoyed few years back when he did Salaam Namaste.
Thirdly good music is still liked by major percentage of viewers and all the films which had good music did good business also. AR Rehman’s music in Jodha Akbar and Jane Tu Ya Jane Na had pulled those films up. Vishal Sekhar’s music in Bacchna Ai Haseeno was the main attraction of the film. Similarly Race and Yuvraaj also have good music.
The other significant inference is that all the stars including Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan don’t have the capability of single-handedly making a film hit, the charishma which was there in Big B in late 70s, where viewers went to the cinema halls only to see him. The viewers appreciate the story, the direction, the music, the individual performance of the stars and decide about the acceptance and rejection of the film. If the viewers make their judgements on sound reasoning then their reaction can lead to creation of better standard of films in future.
