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Join UsAnother in a series of special Diwali articles by Koimoi.com, analyzing events in the Hindi film industry in the year gone by.
A total of 239 films were released between Diwali 2010 and Diwali 2011 (November 6, 2010 to October 21, 2011). In the corresponding period last year, there had been 246 new releases. There were 51 weeks between the two festivals of light in 2010-11 as against 55 weeks between Diwali 2009 and Diwali 2010. Of the 239 films released, 6 were English films, 81 were dubbed from South or foreign languages, 3 were Hinglish and 149 were Hindi films. Of the six Indian English films, two were also dubbed in Hindi (but they have been included in the list of English films). In all, there were three animation films.
A total of 239 films were released between Diwali 2010 and Diwali 2011
Hits And Flops
Among the noteworthy hits during the period under reference were Bodyguard, Ready, Singham, Yamla Pagla Deewana and Murder 2. Among the other good successes were Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Tanu Weds Manu and Band Baaja Baaraat. Golmaal 3 did outstanding business during the period under discussion but it was released on last Diwali and hence is not included in the 239 films released in the period under consideration.
The period also had its share of disasters viz. Guzaarish, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, No Problem, Patiala House, 7 Khoon Maaf, Game, Aarakshan and Chatur Singh Two Star. Action Replayy, released on last Diwali, was also a debacle.
Bollywood Festival Releases
The beauty about our country is that we have so many festivals, a fact that the film industry would happily show appreciation for by going down on its knees and bowing low twenty-one times. For, festivals translate into holidays, and holidays – often – translate into enhanced box-office collections. And India has not only an abundance of festivals but also something that must be unique in the world, a surfeit of bank holidays! Birthdays of Mahatma Gandhi, Lord Mahavir, Guru Nanak, Baba Ambedkarare bank holidays; add to this, a few more odds and ends that crop up occasionally that result in national holidays, like when India wins the Cricket World Cup or when some VVIP – usually a political personage – dies, and the nation takes another breather from work and flocks to cinemas. Holidays are the greatest invention as far as the film industry is concerned. So, rightfully, the year for many in India begins and ends with Diwali, a national holiday. The festive spirit usually spans two-three days, besides an elongated vacation for school and college students. But, for the film industry, the real Diwali can fall anytime during the year. There is no business in the country that is as secular as the film industry.
There is no business in the country that is as secular as the film industry.
Whenever a Friday brings in news of a mega-hit, it becomes the biggest and most enticing festival day – call it Diwali, Eid, Christmas or Republic Day. Year before last, the festival of lights, and all other festivals, for the film industry, fell on Christmas, when 3 Idiots released. And, this year it fell on Eid, which, for the industry, combined the sparkle of not only Diwali but Christmas too! In one short stroke, August 31 delivered the hugest festival the industry would see all year so far, for, that is the day that Salman Khan’s Bodyguard took the nation by storm and netted Rs. 115 crore in the first week of nine days! Diwali 2010 was lit up by super-hit Golmaal 3 and substantially dimmed by super-flop Action Replayy; Christmas had Akshay Kumar again playing the spoilsport and wet hen by an offering that Santa Claus certainly didn’t approve of – Tees Maar Khan. But Eid had the incredible Salman Khan, who brooked no opposition as he rocked audiences with Bodyguard.
More Diwali Special by Koimoi.com
The Year Of Salman Khan: Diwali To Diwali
Diwali Wishes From Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra
Shah Rukh Khan, Patience & Four Years: Anubhav Sinha On Ra.One
