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Blame it on the Indian Premier League cricket frenzy or a string of recent flops, this peak summer season for movie buffs is turning out to be a low-key affair with filmmakers preferring to keep away from new releases.
Summer has always been the best season for big budget films when people want to watch blockbusters along with their families. And every year from 'Khans' to 'Kumars' want their films to hit the theatres to cash maximum revenue at the box office.
Trade analysts feel that timing of a movie release is always important for its success and when Indian Cricket Board announced IPL, many producers and directors postponed their film release as they had seen the fate of man with most number of hits Yash Chopra's Taashan, which bombed at box office.
Films like Ram Gopal Verma's Sarkar Raj and Kunal Kohli's Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic are releasing only this month.
"This year is exceptional and all credit goes to IPL, which is the main and only reason for the minimum number of releases this summer. On an average in summer, film industry see a 30-40 per cent escalation in the revenue generation but the figures this time is very low. Except some films like Jannat, hardly any movie is an average hit. Even Amitabh Bachchan starrer Bhootnath failed to generate the audience's interest," says film critic Taran Adarsh.
However, he adds, this month is very good as many big budget movies are slated for release.
"Films like Race, Jannat, Jodhaa Akbar and Mithya have done well but most of the films miserably flopped at box office. In comparison, 2007 had four hits, Namastey London, Guru, Bheja Fry, Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd in the first four months. The much awaited Tashan was a major setback for the industry."
Producer Mukesh Bhatt, whose films Jannat has been declared hit, is quite upbeat with the timing and response of the film.
"The reason that not many big films released in May was the cricket matches. But Jannat has managed to retain its place throughout the week, which is rare with the IPL matches on. IPL was not just about one match or a tournament of 5-6 matches but still I believed in my young team of actor, producer and director."
Post IPL, other than big banner movies some low budget movies, like Aamir, Via Darjeeling and Mukhbir are also lined up for release.
For 13 year-old Tarun, who is a die-hard Shah Rukh Khan fan and has enjoyed Om Shanti Om last year, summer holidays brings some of the best films every year but this time the wait is too long.
"Shah Rukh was there in Bhootnath but the role was very small. I liked the film. I also watched Ghatotkach but I want see some good Bollywood films. Why they are not coming up?"
When asked to choose between Shah Rukh and cricket, he says, "Shah Rukh will always come first. But I like Dhoni too. I have thoroughly enjoyed the IPL tournament."
Director Anand Kumar, whose film Jugaad is almost complete and ready to hit the theatres this summer, says, "IPl is the only reason why not many movies are releasing. You will see a series of big release after the IPL gets over. Films like Sarkar Raj, Aamir Khan's Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Love Story 50 are all lined up for next month release.
"IPL was a mixture of cricket and glamour so it shifted a large part of movie-goers to the television screen. Many films recorded less than 10 per cent occupancy in evening and night shows."