I can’t contain my excitement. As the opening weekend numbers of BAAGHI-2 pour in, one can’t help but thank the movie-going audiences for giving the film industry the much-deserved respite after a disastrous 2017.
2017 concluded on a positive note, with TIGER ZINDA HAI setting the BO ablaze. The first quarter of 2018 has just concluded and BAAGHI-2 - the final release of the first quarter - has emerged a humongous success. Indeed, Tigers have proven lucky for the industry. The roar at the BO is sweet music for our ears, what say?
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!
