With Avengers: Infinity War collecting a massive Rs 30.50 cr at the domestic box office on the first day, Hollywood movies have given a glimpse of the challenge they pose to Indian films
The highly-anticipated Avengers: Infinity War, which opened in cinemas on Friday, has lived up to its expectations. The superhero flick has raked in Rs 30.50 cr at the domestic box office on the first day. Its advance booking surpassed that of many Bollywood movies and has generated the kind of excitement any A-list starrer would. No wonder then, Hollywood films are now staking a huge claim in the box-office pie.
Two years ago, Jon Favreau’s The Jungle Book, which was a modern-day version of Rudyard Kipling’s classic by the same name published in 1894, crossed the Rs 100-cr mark on desi shores within just 10 days of its release. Since then, B-Town has truly taken a note of the business that these movies are doing.
While industry folks have been aware of the growing business of Hollywood films, the figures of Avengers: Infinity War has pointed out how real the threat is to our desi flicks.
KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR
At a recent event, Amitabh Bachchan himself acknowledged that Hollywood can’t be ignored anymore. The legend said in 1993, when he was in New York, he was told at a discussion that Indian filmmakers better get their house in order because the Americans are coming.
It’s a known fact that whichever market American movies have ventured into, the local cinema has had to bow down. Big B also said that the young actors today realise the competition that they face. Filmmakers don’t just have to make an entertaining fare, but they also have to match the standards of technology, VFX, etc, which has been set by international movies. The actor urged cinema-goers to patronise our cinema, especially the ones made with younger actors.
COLLECTION CALLS
Avengers: Infinity War’s advance booking was a clear reflection of the anticipation among viewers when it came to the original as well as dubbed versions of these movies. Says Rajender Singh Jyala, Chief Programming Officer — INOX Leisure Ltd, “These films have definitely seen a substantial growth in the Indian market. Hollywood is making movies which appeal to audiences around the globe and in India, too. Avengers: Infinity War has broken all records. It has done the highest-ever advance booking for any Hollywood film released in India till date and second highest after Baahubali 2 at INOX Cinemas. Also, the GBO for day one at INOX has been record-breaking.”
Trade analyst Komal Nahta says, “I am sure the collections of this film will either be close to The Jungle Book or surpass it. I have no doubt about it. The kind of advance booking it had, nothing could’ve gone wrong with it.”
BEING LOCAL
Studios are keen to reach out to the local audience. Rajender says, “Marketing plays a critical role, and more Hollywood films are getting into localisation of their content by dubbing films in relevant languages, regionalising communication, releasing India specific trailers and posters. Also, we are seeing more international stars speaking to their fans in India because now we are on the global radar for these movies.” Not just that, studios are now taking a close look at the release dates they pick.
Rajender adds, “The date on which the film opens in cinemas is crucial, hence we see that all studios — local or international are being extremely calculative of when they release their films, so that they reap maximum benefits.”
BOLLYWOOD TAKES NOTICE
It has to be taken into account that it’s often franchise films (The Fast and The Furious) or superhero flicks (Avengers) that create a huge buzz at the BO. However, Indian filmmakers are taking their presence into account. “Our filmmakers are already looking at the release schedule of Hollywood films before planning theirs. It’s no coincidence that there was no big movie this weekend when Avengers: Infinity War hit the screens. Nobody wanted to clash with it,” says Komal.
IT’S ONLY GETTING BIGGER
The threat that Hollywood films pose to Bollywood movies will only increase henceforth. Komal points out, “The dubbing standards are so good that there’s not much difference between these and Hindi films. Even the dubbed versions do phenomenal business. Of course, the faces of the actors are different, but over a period of time, the young generation is aware of these Hollywood stars.”
Talking about the scope for growth in business, Rajender says, “Hollywood films have seen a substantial growth in the market and it is evident from the box office results of blockbusters like The Jungle Book, Fast and Furious 8, Jurassic World, Avengers: Infinity War and many more. The growth of the multiplexes and 2K screens have boosted the Hollywood market in India.”
TOP HOLLYWOOD GROSSERS IN INDIA
THE JUNGLE BOOK
2016
FURIOUS 7
2015
JURASSIC WORLD
2015
AVATAR
2009
AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
2015
SPIDER-MAN 3
2007
2012
2009
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
2012
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2
2014
LIFE OF PI
2012
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Avengers: Infinity War")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}