So far, in 2022, the only two Hindi films that have done well are The Kashmir Files and Gangubai Kathiawadi. Incidentally, both were unconventional films. While one was a documentary about the violent events of kashmir (a region located on a border between Pakistan and India), it didn’t really follow traditional Bollywood guidelines; while the other film told an elaborate tale of prostitution which wasn’t exactly what you’d expect from typical Hindi cinema. Both passed $200 million dollars at the box office – but so far other than these two exceptions there hasn’t been anything worthwhile to watch for those who love Indian cinema.
The anticipation for the release of these two movies this Friday, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Dhaakad, is palpable. Both boast a certain kind of awareness that sets them apart from most other releases – just like how there’s always something drawing viewers in to go see something they might never go see otherwise. Just like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 appeals to audiences looking for family-friendly fare while Dhaakad caters to those who love adrenaline-fueled scenes, together their cumulative earning potential should be nearing 15 crore rupees (1 crore = 100 lakhs) which would make it one of the highest grossing Fridays in Bollywood history! To date, only ‘Bachchan Pandey’ had performed so well among Indian movies releasing on Fridays but we’ll confidently exceed its current earning record with these two movies put together!
Of course, the Kartik Aaryan starrer is expected to do more heavy lifting as a double-digit opening is on the cards. But just so you know, Kangana Ranaut has also been doing her part by keeping Dhaakad in news and for the right reasons – this should allow at least Rs. 4 Crore (10 million) mark if both films manage even these milestones. Even if they don’t reach this point, it will be worth it just because Bollywood can finally recover from recent financial woes and ramp things up from there onwards.
