It’s raining Bollywood

The lull is over. Tinsel town strikes back with 13 releases, worth Rs 200 crores, in April.

Bollywood’s one month lull, it seems is over. After a dull March that saw only three releases due to the cricket World Cup, this month has 13 back-to-back projects lined up for release.

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Many filmmakers held on to their films in the cricket season, resulting in a crowded April. Industry experts say that almost Rs 200 crores is riding on these films and a cinema-hungry audience is ready to storm the theatres, even though Indian Premier League (IPL) starts today.

Upcoming films in April
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says, “April is going to be a great month for cinema goers who have been starving for films for the longest time. A host of good films are lined up. There are Rs 175-200 crores at stake this month.” Filmmaker Anees Bazmee, whose film Thank You opens today, says, “We are releasing the film just after the world cup and just before the IPL. It is important to make a good film, but it is equally important to choose the right release date. Sometimes a creative film can get killed if it releases at the wrong time.”

The films releasing this month include Lara Dutta’s Chalo Dilli, Abhishek Bachc-han’s Dum Maaro Dum and Darsheel Safari’s Zokkomon. Taking IPL head-on

Interestingly, industry experts do not see IPL as competition. Adarsh says, “There has been a lot of cricket, thanks to World Cup, so people want to see films now.” Bazmee adds, “Our research shows that after the World Cup mania, people would have had enough of cricket and IPL would not be such a competition.”

High expectations
Multiplexes, too are gearing up for big releases and big business, even though the first two April releases, Game and F.A.L.T.U, were disappointing. Shirish Handa of Fun Cinemas says, “Despite IPL, 13 films are releasing, which is a very positive sign.” Jayendra Banerjee of Satyam Cinemas says, “While we plan to screen IPL matches, we will not cut down any film shows, as IPL takes only one film slot.”

Filmmakers too, are not wary of a crowded April. Krishna DK, whose film, Shor In The City releases in the last week of April, says, “This is the right time as the schedule gets crowded much more after IPL, as the cricket season gets over.”