The World Cup and the IPL made fans and team-owners out of movie stars, but it may have made a monkey out of Bollywood this year. As producers and distributors held back films to give cricket enough room, we're now left with too many films and not enough release dates a situation that is forcing many a clash at the box office.
Here, then, are the clashes coming up for the rest of the year. We've given our verdicts on each, but please do the same and let us know which films you'll favour during these Friday fights:
June 17: Always Kabhi Kabhi / Bheja Fry 2
Roshan Abbas makes his directorial debut with Red Chillies production Always Kabhi Kabhi. But will an item-song from producer Shah Rukh Khan be enough to champion this frothy romantic comedy full of newcomers against a sequel to one of the biggest sleeper hits of all time? The first Bheja Fry was a runaway success, and the return of Vinay Pathak's 'idiot' might have been low-key thus far, but audiences are waiting.
Our bet: Bheja Fry 2
Your call?
Here, then, are the clashes coming up for the rest of the year. We've given our verdicts on each, but please do the same and let us know which films you'll favour during these Friday fights:
June 17: Always Kabhi Kabhi / Bheja Fry 2
Roshan Abbas makes his directorial debut with Red Chillies production Always Kabhi Kabhi. But will an item-song from producer Shah Rukh Khan be enough to champion this frothy romantic comedy full of newcomers against a sequel to one of the biggest sleeper hits of all time? The first Bheja Fry was a runaway success, and the return of Vinay Pathak's 'idiot' might have been low-key thus far, but audiences are waiting.
Our bet: Bheja Fry 2
Your call?
July 1: Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap / Delhi Belly
Aamir Khan Productions, the company that can do no wrong, seems to have a truly edgy product in Delhi Belly.
The soundtrack is working, the DK Bose song is a rage, and people love the foulmouthed promos. But can it take on Amitabh Bachchan in full-blown Angry Man mode?
The Big B is going unabashedly hardcore with this actioner, though Aamir and nephew Imran must be hoping Bachchan conquers the single-screens while leaving the multiplexes to them.
Our bet: It's tight, but the smart money's on Bachchan.
Your call?
The soundtrack is working, the DK Bose song is a rage, and people love the foulmouthed promos. But can it take on Amitabh Bachchan in full-blown Angry Man mode?
The Big B is going unabashedly hardcore with this actioner, though Aamir and nephew Imran must be hoping Bachchan conquers the single-screens while leaving the multiplexes to them.
Our bet: It's tight, but the smart money's on Bachchan.
Your call?
July 8: Chillar Party / Murder 2
Salman Khan turns producer with Chillar Party, former UTV man Vikas Behl's directorial debut. A children's film with an interesting promo, this one boasts of a Sallu voiceover and a Ranbir Kapoor item number.
But can it compete with Vishesh Films' sequel to a massive, skin-friendly superhit with their wonderboy Emraan Hashmi? Then again, Jacqueline Fernandes is no Mallika Sherawat.
Our bet: Murder 2
Your call?
But can it compete with Vishesh Films' sequel to a massive, skin-friendly superhit with their wonderboy Emraan Hashmi? Then again, Jacqueline Fernandes is no Mallika Sherawat.
Our bet: Murder 2
Your call?
August 12: Aarakshan / Soundtrack
A Rajeev Khandelwal indie versus Prakash Jha directing Saif Ali Khan and Amitabh Bachchan?
Soundtrack might be the better, 'cooler' film but Jha's film -- which also stars Deepika Padukone -- with Saif playing a Dalit has kicked up enough controversial buzz to ensure people are curious about the final product.
Our bet: Aarakshan
Your call?
Soundtrack might be the better, 'cooler' film but Jha's film -- which also stars Deepika Padukone -- with Saif playing a Dalit has kicked up enough controversial buzz to ensure people are curious about the final product.
Our bet: Aarakshan
Your call?
September 9: Rockstar / Mausam/ Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
Ah, now this one's the big battle of the year. Ranbir Kapoor versus Shahid Kapoor versus Imran Khan. (Also Nargis Fakhri versus Sonam Kapoor versus Katrina Kaif respectively, but everyone knows this is the battle of the boys.)
It's also a director battle, with Imtiaz Ali taking on debutants Pankaj Kapoor and Ali Abbas Zafar. However, with AR Rahman in his corner, Ali has every right to feel bullish about this one.
Our bet: Rockstar
Your call?
It's also a director battle, with Imtiaz Ali taking on debutants Pankaj Kapoor and Ali Abbas Zafar. However, with AR Rahman in his corner, Ali has every right to feel bullish about this one.
Our bet: Rockstar
Your call?
October 26: Ra.One / Rascals
Shah Rukh Khan might be booed on cricket grounds. He might have made a stupid television show. His interviews might seem sillier than ever.
And yet he is King Khan, coming up with his biggest and most hyped film yet. And while it remains to be seen whether the film will be the smash hit it needs to be, its opening is guaranteed. And that's bad news for the Ajay-Sanjay starrer, at least for the first weekend.
Our bet: Ra.One
Your call?
December 9: Agent Vinod / Ladies vs Ricky Bahl
Ooh, this one's a very interesting battle. Sriram Raghavan's long-awaited spy thriller will be slick and sexy and intelligent. There's Saif and Kareena, and there's bound to be some great edge. In the other corner, however, there is the Band Baaja Baaraat team -- and that film scaled every mountain.
Can it repeat its success though? Don't bet against it.
Our bet: Agent Vinod, but it'll be close.
Your call?
Can it repeat its success though? Don't bet against it.
Our bet: Agent Vinod, but it'll be close.
Your call?
December 23: Don 2 / Players
Now this completely depends on how Ra.One does. If it bombs, you can expect Farhan Akhtar's sequel to fumble at the box office while Abbas-Mastan's licensed remake of The Italian Job rakes in the money.
If, on the other hand, Khan conquers with his superhero film earlier in the year, the rival ensemble -- Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Bipasha Basu -- doesn't have the power to stand against Shah Rukh.
Our bet: We'll wait till Ra.One comes out before sticking our necks out.
Your call?
If, on the other hand, Khan conquers with his superhero film earlier in the year, the rival ensemble -- Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Bipasha Basu -- doesn't have the power to stand against Shah Rukh.
Our bet: We'll wait till Ra.One comes out before sticking our necks out.
Your call?
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