Articles by Subhash K. Jha

Technology

Blockbuster Bluster: Reality Belies The Hype

Thamma is not a hit. From Wednesday, theatres across India are offering a ‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free’ ticket scheme — and the film is just into its second week. Does that sound like a blockbuster? “No!” says Kumar Abhishek, manager, Connplex, Patna, who reluctantly agreed to go on record. “Everywhere they are celebrating the success of Thamma. The truth is, after a fairly good start, the collections have gone downhill. I would like to ask the producers in which part of the country Thamma is a success. Earlier, Kantara Chapter 1 was hailed as a blockbuster, but it did much less business than the first part. Jolly LLB 3 is a good film, but it was not a success, although Akshay Kumar’s fan club and the film’s producers wanted the public to believe otherwise. How do producers compute the profit margin and conclude that their film is a success?” Thamma has underperformed severely everywhere. It collected approximately `4 crore on the seventh day of its release. The movie has earned `96 crore in total in its first week, which is far below the expected numbers. But the perception of Thamma being a blockbuster is being created by bulk bookings, paid reviews and sponsored box office reports. A leading producer, known for a series of trendsetting films, admits to having “massive reservations” about the publicised commercial success of Thamma and Kantara. “The producers are creating the perception that Thamma is a nationwide rage when in fact the film’s collection has dipped drastically. This is a very alarming trend in the film industry: a perception of success is generated through sponsored hype and bulk bookings. How many films this year have actually attained blockbuster status? Chhaava and maybe a few more. Others are hits on paper only,” he says. Many prominent trade analysts declined to comment. One of them actually confessed they were “committed” to building up the film’s performance “beyond what it is.” “There are only two genuine hits in Hindi this year so far — Chhaava and Saiyaara. All the other so-called hits are just hype generated by paid reviews and sponsored trade analyses,” says Roshan Singh, a prominent film exhibitor in Bihar. It is no different in Telugu cinema. Pawan Kalyan’s Hari Hara Veera Mallu was an outright flop and his They Call Him OG is being touted as a success though the box office collection is way short of expectations. Vijay Devarakonda’s fans are “celebrating” the success of his Kingdom when in fact the film has lost serious money. Shekhar Kammula’s Kuberaa, another supposed hit, lost a huge amount of money in both Telugu and Tamil versions. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Rajinikanth starrer, the ostensible money spinner Coolie, suffered such heavy losses that the proposed sequel was hastily dropped.

Technology

Extremely Grateful For The Good And The Not-So-Good’

There’s a glow about Ananya Panday as she turns 27 — calm, confident, and full of gratitude. “The past two years have brought a lot of change and learning,” she says. “I feel happier with my work and the love I’ve received, and more confident as I focus on my craft.” For her, birthdays are pure joy. “I love everything about them — cake, balloons, gifts! This year, I’m celebrating with friends, family, and my best friend’s wedding.” Her excitement, she says, comes from childhood memories — pool parties, games, Hindi songs, and hop steps with friends. “I loved wearing coloured clothes to school and giving out chocolates,” she smiles. Her favourite gift? “My dogs.” She adds, “I wouldn’t change a thing. Every experience has taught me something, and I just want to keep learning and growing.” The year ahead looks exciting. “Tu Meri Main Tera releases on December 31 with Kartik Aaryan. And Call Me Bae Season 2 starts soon — we’ve been overwhelmed with love for Season 1.”

Technology

Prabhas May Have Bold Scenes In ‘Spirit’

After Animal, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga is gearing up for what could be one of the boldest and most challenging films of Prabhas’ career — Spirit. According to industry sources, the film features several unconventional sequences that push cinematic boundaries, including a pivotal scene where the leading man is required to go completely nude. A well-known Telugu star who was previously offered the project confirms that the script demands a high level of intensity and commitment. “It’s a very interesting subject,” he admits, “but there were certain scenes — including one that required complete nudity — that I wasn’t comfortable performing, so I decided to step away.” Now, with Prabhas on board, all eyes are on how Vanga plans to execute the scene — known for his fearless approach to storytelling and his penchant for emotional extremes. Whether the superstar will actually go bare for the camera remains uncertain. “Prabhas is known to be extremely private and reserved in real life,” says a source close to the project. “It’s possible that Sandeep might opt for a body double for that sequence.” Interestingly, the scene in question reportedly takes place during a police interrogation sequence, integral to the film’s narrative arc. Whether Prabhas bares his soul — or more — on screen, one thing is certain: Spirit is poised to test both its hero and its audience in ways Telugu cinema hasn’t seen before.