The first quarter of 2018 has brought abundant cheer. PADMAAVAT, which courted controversies and braved agitations and protests, proved a money spinner. Subsequently, PADMAN and RAID, both starring A-listers, kept the optimism alive and their investors smiling. However, it was the remarkable business of SONU KE TITU KI SWEETY that raised eyebrows. Here was a film that didn’t carry the baggage of huge expectations, but its stupendous business was truly an eye opener. More recently, HICHKI, which marks Rani Mukerji’s return to movies after a hiatus, has proved a success story. Now BAAGHI-2 has left the industry shocked.
BAAGHI-2 was expected to open big, but the opening day numbers and the opening weekend business has caught everyone unawares. All calculations and assumptions have gone for a toss. The numbers are a shocker, frankly. One associates such [magical] numbers with experienced A-listers. BAAGHI-2 is Tiger’s fifth film. He’s yet to find a firm footing in the industry. His last two films [A FLYING JATT and MUNNA MICHAEL] didn’t measure up to the audience expectations.
You’re known by your last Friday in this cut-throat competitive industry. Hit hain to fit hain, is the mantra. And BAAGHI-2 has catapulted Tiger into the A-league overnight. The super success of BAAGHI-2 also reaffirms that the paying public has given its mandate and one needs to respect it. At the cost of repeating myself, I also wish to add that well-made action films/masala entertainers will never go out of fashion. The audience loves this genre. Right from 1970s to this date, entertainment-loaded movies have called the shots across the globe. That’s the reality!
Finally, here’s an important observation. One look at 2018’s Top 5 [Opening Day and Opening Weekend] and you realise it’s dominated by youngsters [PADMAAVAT, SONU KE TITU KI SWEETY and BAAGHI-2]. The young brigade has truly taken over!