The Gravity-Defying Economies of Bollywood!
The Eurozone may be passing through its worst crisis ever. The US may be on a double-dip (or is it triple-dip already?) recession.
Coke and Pepsi are on a continuous de-growth (at least the cola part of the equation). The new car launches are meeting tepid response.
Rupee is cheap. And stock markets are on a perennial stagnant mode.
Unemployment is high. Salary hikes are difficult to come by.
The Global economy may be out in the Woods.
However, there is one-industry that defies downturn of any kind – the good ‘ol Bollywood!
Its half-time 2012 and Bollywood has already registered 4 mammoth 100-Crore Blockbusters! Add a couple of ‘Almost there’ 100-crore sleeper-hits (Kahaani and Cocktail) and what we have is a money-spinner in virtually every month of 2012!!
The masses and the classes, the single-screen mango people and the Multiplex elites, all are consuming movies like never before. The Sold-out and Housefull indicators are now once again a frequent phenomenon.
Don’t believe me? Well here are a few statistics –
· The total Bollywood collections at the domestic box office in H1 2011 were around Rs. 610 crore. Same period this year i.e. H1 2012 has yielded upwards of Rs. 850 crore!!
· July 2012 has been phenomenal so far. Two huge successes – Bol Bachchan and Cocktail – that are going very strong!
· The 100-Crore club that opened in 2008 with Ghajini was joined by 3 Idiots in 2009. In 2010 we had 2 more in the form of Dabangg and Golmaal 3.
· 2011 was huge with 5 more such 100-crore extravaganzas.
· However, 2012 promises to be the Biggest Bollywood year EVER! We’re just half-way through and we already have 4 Gorilla blockbusters in the kitty!
· In typical Bollywood flamboyance, it’s easy to say that “We’re just warming up mate!” The best is yet to come. The Khans haven’t yet played a ball!
· And fortunately, all the 3 Khans have some red-hot blockbusters lined up for Eid, Diwaali and Christmas this year!
· Throw in a couple of Akki and Ajay biggies, and what we have is a giddy concoction.
· If you’ve already started feeling the hole in your pocket; if you think you’ve already splurged a bit too much on the movies this year, well you’re in for some real trouble.
· Here’s a quick run through the Bollywood line-up for the rest of this year. Get ready to be spoilt for choices, virtually every week till the end of 2012.
· Please start planning your finances right away! The Bollywood juggernaut has giant plans to rip apart your wallet this year.
· In all probability, it’s gonna be a case of Bollywood gluttony this festive season…what with 4 sure-shot 100-Crore bonanzas lined up. Watch your Bollywood calories folks! How do you plan to handle -
o Ek Tha Tiger
o SRK-Kat-Anushka-Yash Raj untitled movie
o Talaash
o Dabangg 2
· And well, if your wallet permits, there is a fair enough chance of 3 more biggies making it in this coveted 100-crore club –
o Joker
o Barfi
o Son of Sardar
Ready to loosen up your purse strings buddy? If ever, there was a Bollywood Mutual Fund, it could’ve been our best investment option in these uncertain times!! At the same time, just like Financial Planners, we soon gonna witness another class of experts to guide us on our ruthless spending on the movies - The Movie Planners!!
“Sir, the market will peak up during Diwaali – with Son of Sardar and Yash Raj-SRK movie. Would advise you to not invest in Shirin Farhad, there is Joker coming just the next week. Also, it’s advisable to hold on to some disposable cash for Dabangg 2 at the fag end of 2012!”
For quick reference, pasted below is a ready reckoner of the movies lined-up for the rest of this year. Take your pick with care....as there is actually a lot to choose from! Spend wisely guys!
Your Movie Planner for H2 2012
