Phone Bhoot is anticipated to do better than Double XL and Mili, as predicted by industry analysts
This year, neither filmmakers, exhibitors, or distributors, nor cinephiles, were able to find happiness over the Diwali holiday. Despite the simultaneous release of the films of two superstars, Akshay Kumar (Ram Setu) and Ajay Devgn (Thank God), the box office was pretty lackluster. Experts in the film industry now have hope in the next films Mili, Double XL, and Phone Bhoot. Given that the three new movies of the week provide a range of themes, the trade anticipates that they will be able to attract audiences to theatres.
Janhvi Kapoor stars in the major part of the survival thriller Mili. It’s a remake of the successful Malayalam film Helen. Katrina Kaif, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Ishaan Khatter lead the cast of the horror comedy Phone Bhoot. The film Double XL, starring Sonakshi Sinha and Huma Qureshi, is a reflection on plus-size women’s struggle against society’s body shaming.
Girish Johar, a film producer and industry expert, says this week’s films have the potential to resonate with audiences since they provide something unique compared to “similar-looking material on the He added that the Hindi box office has already had a dismal and lacklustre Diwali due to the rise of OTT channels. We have seen the lowest Diwali box office for Hindi films in history. Both films (Thank God and Ram Setu) were unable to draw an audience. Consequently, when we enter normal box office days, we have three pictures that are distinct from one another. Similar material is widely accessible through OTT platforms.”
However, he acknowledges that the route is “difficult” for all three movies, with ticket costs being the determining factor. Johar believes that people will not be as interested in purchasing expensive seats for Mili, Phone Bhoot, and Double XL. Also, as the films lack star power, they will have to excel at the content game in order to survive till the following week, when Black Panther, Uunchai, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Yashoda are released.
Even while tentpoles like Black Panther and Yashoda are in development, films like Mili, Phone Bhoot, and Double XL are necessary to maintain the box office “churning,” according to film distributor Akshaye Rathi. But only if they have comparable material will they be able to compete with the blockbuster releases.
Citing the Kannada blockbuster Kantara as an example, he said, “Kantara was launched alongside Thank God and Ram Setu, but it endured because of its inherent virtues. If these films have any quality, they will endure in the end.”
Simply because of Katrina Kaif’s prominence, Phone Bhoot has an advantage over Mili and Double XL. According to Rathi, “It has an edge over other new releases this week because Katrina Kaif is a legitimate star. “There is no question that she has millions upon millions of supporters throughout the nation. After a lengthy absence, she is returning to the big screen, so I am confident that there will be adequate anticipation for the picture.” Girish Johar concurred with Rathi and estimated the film’s opening day gross at between Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 2 crore.
Mili will likely be the next film to achieve a million rupees, while Double XL might earn about Rs 50 lakhs. Overall, Johar anticipates a “good” audience turnover at the box office throughout the forthcoming weekend.
In the past, however, Hindi remakes of South Indian blockbuster films failed to attract audiences. The most recent example is Vikram Vedha, starring Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan. Consequently, Mili’s prospects may be jeopardised. But Rathi and Johar indicate that remakes may succeed provided they are not “blindly replicated” from the original.
Rathi said, “A remake’s potential is in jeopardy if it is a frame-for-frame replica of the original film whose subtitled version is accessible on popular platforms. However, they must be adaptations and should suit to the demands of the intended target segment. If we can do this, we can certainly deliver.”
Relating to the success of remakes, Johar said, “It’s not like the earnings have dried up.” You just need to customize them properly. Currently, they are under surveillance and being extensively checked. Who can stop a good picture from doing well at the box office if it is well-remade and provides a fresh perspective? No one.”
