The good fortune of being 3 Idiots

The end of the year is here, and there were reportedly six hits out of the 240 films released this year (not counting the C-grade films that were released during the multiplex strike between April and June). Rachana Dubey reports.

The end of the year is here, and there were reportedly six hits out of the 240 films released this year (not counting the C-grade films that were released during the multiplex strike between April and June).

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The six – Love Aaj Kal, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, New York, Wanted, All The Best and Paa – have done reasonable business.

This weekend sees the release of Aamir Khan-Kareena Kapoor-starrer 3 Idiots, easily the most awaited film of the year.

And it comes with excellent timing – the last two big releases, Paa and Avatar, opened at least a week ago and their audience turnouts have plateaued to a certain extent. And the next big releases, Rann and Veer, toplining Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan respectively, are scheduled all the way out on January 22.

Which leaves 3 Idiots with virtually no competition, a free run of the multiplexes clean through the festive season, and into most of January.

With 25-30 shows planned at every multiplex, 3 Idiots is expected to have this year’s highest number of daily shows per film, the earliest being a 6 am show, another first.

The budget of the film, directed by Raju Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, is pegged between Rs 50 crore and 60 crore.

Trade analyst Amod Mehra said industry sources who have seen the film believe it has the potential to be the year’s biggest hit. “Ticket rates have been hiked for all the shows of the film — Rs 90 morning shows are pegged at Rs 150 — but it’s still expected to take a fantastic opening. The winter holidays are here and people won’t have any choices in cinema halls, so they’ll definitely watch the film,” Mehra said.

Aamir, who visited Hindustan Times office on Tuesday evening, said he had originally not wanted to do the film because he felt he didn’t fit the bill. “Raju and Vidhu felt the role gelled with the person that I am. They made me do the impossible – pass off at 44 as a 22-year-old,” he said.