B-Town to end year with a bang

According to trade figures, the two big releases this Diwali have already set the cash registers ringing and the industry’s understandably in a delightful tizzy with Bollywood’s continued bumper hit season at the box-office. Buzz in B-Town indicates that the celebrations might continue right until the year-end with three more big-ticket films waiting in the wings. “All three are creating a positive buzz in trade circles already. Aamir Khan’s Talaash is generating curiosity, while Akshay Kumar’s return to the Khiladi franchise and Salman Khan’s reprisal of Chulbul Pandey in Dabanng 2 is equally being looked forward to. There’s excitement among the industrywallahs, as well as the audiences,” share trade pundits.

What works even better, they add, is the fact that the release of the films is well-spaced out. “The takkar between Son of Sardaar and Jab Tak Hai Jaan had put everyone on an edge, but now that both have passed with flying colours despite competition, it is easier to assume that the three films will sail through without any glitch,” say insiders. “All the three are also creating excitement for different reasons and that too works in the favour of the films. As of now, it’s certainly looking like the year will end on a hit note for the industry. Of course, the final verdict will only come out with the films’ release. But it’s safe to predict a bumper Q4,” they add.

"This year has undoubtedly been a fantastic one for Bollywood. Apart from the domestic markets, our films have been appreciated and have seen good collections overseas. What is encouraging is that there are takers for smaller films like Kahaani and Gangs of Wasseypur rather than just SRK films," says trade analyst Vajir Singh. “If the hits continue, 2012 may break all records so far,” trade analysts say in unison.