Last year, films featuring Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Parineeti Chopra collected a little more than 600 crore at the box-office. However, each of these three stars do not have any movie lined up for release this year. While Aamir and Hrithik will be seen on celluloid in 2016, Parineeti is yet to sign a project. And that’s exactly why our industry is going to lose an opportunity of minting around 600 crore at the ticket window in 2015. The absence of this trio is definitely going to cost us a lot!
Here’s a low-down on their releases.
Aamir Khan
Movie in 2014 – PK (Blockbuster hit!) [Collections: 338 crore]
Movie in 2015 – None
Movie in 2016 – Dangal
Though Aamir continued with his kickass run at the box-office with PK, there was an air of secrecy around what he planned to pick next. There were rumors around him playing the role of a wrestler in Dangal with Nitesh Tiwari of Bhoothnath Returns fame. But there was no confirmation. In fact, earlier this year, he even went on to quote – “I haven’t signed any film right now. I can tell you 30 more rumors about me doing some film. Right now, I am just reading scripts.” But now that an official announcement has been made for Dangal, albeit for Christmas 2016, there is a sigh of relief amongst his loyalists.
Hrithik Roshan
Movie in 2014 – Bang Bang (Semi-Hit) [Collections: 181 crore]
Movie in 2015 – None
Movie in 2016 – Mohenjo Daro
In a year that saw him go through some troubled times personally as well as professionally (health scare and divorce proceedings), Hrithik went through a roller coaster ride. But he gathered himself, finished his pending work and made his comeback with a renewed vigour. Currently, he is shooting his magnum opus, Mohenjo Daro, which would keep him occupied for most part of 2015. Though there were talks of him pairing up with dad Rakesh Roshan for another film, Hrithik confirmed that it was on a backburner. He was quoted as saying – “Right now, Mohenjo Daro needs most of my dates. We (dad and I) will plan a film at a later stage”.
Parineeti Chopra
Movies in 2014 – Hasee Toh Phasee (Above average), Daawat-e-Ishq (Below average), Kill/Dil (Below average) [Collections: 100 crore]
Movie in 2015 – None
Movie in 2016 – Yet to be decided
It was a largely average year for Parineeti Chopra who was otherwise flying high after back-to-back success of Ishaqzaade and Shuddh Desi Romance. But her last couple of films, Kill/Dil and Daawat-e-Ishq have turned out to be damp squib. But she did get some good appreciation and returns with Hasee Toh Phasee. And she insists that it has been a conscious call on her part to apply brakes on signing any new film. She was quoted as saying – “I don’t have any new films in my hand currently. I am not going to sign any new film just for the sake of it.”
When contacted, Atul Mohan, trade expert, said, “It is definitely a big loss in 2015 for the industry. But the same will be compensated in 2016 as then the box-office will be bigger in terms of money. Also, the ones who will miss them for more than a year will throng the cinema halls in big attendance.”
Let’s wait and see how things unfold!