Six months have passed and I think it’s time to visit our beginning of the year What2Watch4 in 07 list and do some analysis. 2007 has been quite a quiet year for Bollywood as far as the box office collections go. And when you compare the first half of 2006 with the first half of 2007, you would know what I am trying to say. While last year, we had super hits like Malaamal Weekly, Rang De Basanti, Fanaa, Krrish and Phir Hera Pheri by June end, we are yet to see any such blockbuster this year. Here is a brief analysis on some of the hits and misses so far. The movies are listed in the descending order of their up to date box office collections.
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Guru The biggest hit of the first half of 2007 also happens to be the best (arguably) movie so far. Abhishek Bachchan in his career best performance, showed he can carry movie on his own shoulders. And for a change Aishwarya Rai acted! Another gem in Mani Ratnam’s repertoire! Watch Read Review |
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Ta Ra Rum Pum Although second on the box office collections list, Ta Ra Rum Pum disappointed big time. A rehash of Talladega Nights and Cinderella Man, this Saif-Rani starrer did not live upto the expectations. Watch Read Review |
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Life In A Metro Music of Life In A Metro rocked but can’t say the same about the movie about numerous characters. Anurag Basu did not impress as much as he did in Murder and Gangster. Anyway, seems movie has done decent enough business. Watch Read Review |
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Namastey London Vipul Shah’s third directorial venture after Aankhen and Waqt had some interesting moments besides good music. Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif looked great together and the movie did good business. Rishi Kapoor proved yet again that given a good role, he is still an actor to reckon with. Watch Read Review |
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Shootout At Lokhandwala Torn apart by critics, Shootout At Lokhandwala turned out to be a surprise hit. It had one of the best openings this year. If Bachchans were totally wasted and Tusshar Kapoor criminally miscast, Viveik Oberoi repeated his Company act. However, Sanjay Dutt was perfect playing the role of ACP Aftab Ahmed Khan. The movie might be a Hit but I sincerely hope Apoorva Lakhia takes sabbatical. Watch Read Review |
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Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Another Yash Raj movie which failed to live upto the hype generated pre release. This mad comedy was not appreciated by the “critics”. But I somehow enjoyed watching it a lot. Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta were well supported by Lara Dutta and Bobby Deol. Besides, the music rocked! The last 20 minutes dance competition reminded me of Nasir Hussain’s musicals. Watch Read Review |
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Salaam-e-Ishq While it had a few interesting stories (Govinda’s and John-Vidya’s), the others were too boring or irritating (esp Priyanka Chopra). The movie was a big let down from the maker of Kal Ho Na Ho. Watch Read Review |
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Eklavya Sometimes even well-made movies are not taken well by audience. Although Eklavya was a tight gripping tale with awesome performances from Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan, it did not do well at the box office. Even it’s short length did not help. Watch Read Review |
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Cheeni Kum Bollywood is coming of age now that movies like Cheeni Kum do good business and leave their mark not only on critics but also on cash registers. A lovable romantic comedy starring Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu as the lead pair, Cheeni Kum had many tongue-in-cheek one liners. Big B, at 64, can still give a solo Hit. Terrific! Watch Read Review |
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Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd Another “hatke” movie this year, Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd was good in parts. It had some funny moments in the first half although second half seemed to drag. Watch Read Review |
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Traffic Signal Madhur Bhandarkar failed this time in his series of dark-n-real movies (Chandni Bar, Satta, Page 3, Corporate). Watch |
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Bheja Fry “Dinner Game” inspired Bheja Fry has to be the most funny movie this year so far. Highly recommended if you have not watched it yet. Made on a very low budget (supposedly less than a crore), Bheja Fry has done great business (10 crore plus). Goes to prove that budget and stars do not matter for a super hit movie. Vinay Pathak is simply brilliant and I just hope he does not go unnoticed in Awards next year. Watch Read Review |
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Fool N Final The least disappointing movie this year! Surprised? LOL  who was expecting anything out of it anyway!!! Ahmed Khan should stick to choreography only.Watch (Do NOT) Read Review |
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The Namesake Irrfan Khan and Tabu!!! Well, what else do you want in a movie? Bonus if you get a good screenplay and Kal Penn besides the best remix on screen (”Yeh mera deewanapan hai”). It has done extra-ordinary business overseas. Read Review |
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Good Boy Bad Boy Not much to write about. Another downer from Subhash Ghai’s Mukta Arts! Flop all the way! Watch Read Review |
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Black Friday Failed to put box office on fire, but certainly a must watch from Anurag Kashyap! Watch |
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Nishabd A golden opportunity totally squandered by Ram Gopal Varma. Watch Read Review |
The other significant misses are
- Hattrick,
- Shakalaka Boom Boom,
- Just Married,
- The Train,
- Kya Love Story Hai,
- Red,
- Ek Chalis Ki Last Local and
- Big Brother.
Being a true movie buff, I still have hope on some of the forthcoming movies - Partner, Chak De India, Heyy Babyy, Halla Bol, Jodhaa Akbar, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Saawariya. All is not lost yet!
Did someone say “Where is Aap Ka Surroor - The Moviee?” Well, I have not had courage so far to watch it but I sincerely trust someone will watch it here and write its review Btw, it has started off very well and is on its way to become this year’s biggest hit!