The Bollywood industry was going through a bad time until Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 opened to fantastic numbers. The lead actor of the film, Kartik Aaryan got appreciated for his performance, star power and youth appeal as these qualities played a big role in drawing audiences to cinemas. He is now being called ‘the saviour’ of the industry.
Bollywood Hungama asked trade experts about their reaction to this new term for Kartik Aaryan. Trade veteran Taran Adarsh quipped, “Last year, a section of the media was saying that he’s the most unprofessional actor and he has become big for his boots because he was removed from a particular film. The same media is calling him the saviour today. The irony of life!”
He continued, “The industry had a string of flops. Flops sabki zindagi mein hota hai but to have such low numbers and when your lifetime doesn’t go beyond Rs. 25 or Rs. 30 crores is a cause of concern. And we are talking of A-list stars like Ajay Devgn, Shahid Kapoor, Tiger Shroff and Ranveer Singh. So, somewhere, a correction is happening and people are preferring mainly wholesome films.”
Speaking of Kartik Aaryan, he said, “I feel he has delivered as an actor, and that too in a very big way.”
Trade expert Komal Nahta stated, “With the South films doing so well, people were wondering ‘Bollywood ka kya hoga’. Kartik Aaryan’s film meanwhile has emerged as such a success story that people are heaving a sigh of relief. However, I wouldn’t like to see such a high-funda word as ‘saviour’ because it’s not like Bollywood was finished. In the media’s eyes, Bollywood was over. I had always maintained that it was a bad patch. There would have been a concern if Bollywood films would have flopped despite being good. Except for Jersey, no film was good and it flopped due to other reasons and mainly due to KGF fever. So bad content failed and it would have failed even in the pre-Covid days. Nevertheless, Kartik Aaryan has done a fantastic job. I am very happy for him. He deserves to be credited, definitely.”
Film exhibitor and distributor Akshaye Rathi, in agreement opined, “Kartik Aaryan’s stardom has definitely played a role in the opening of the film. But I think it’ll be unfair to say that director Anees Bazmee, producer Murad Khetani and music director Pritam don’t share that credit. The rage that the title track became was Pritam’s effort. The fact that Murad Khetani mounted and marketed the film in such a manner through promotional city tours, arranging for a ride at Imagica etc also worked. Also, Anees Bazmee has consistently proven that he gives entertainment in abundance through his movies. So it’s the film that has succeeded and everyone deserves equal credit. I am not taking away anything from Kartik Aaryan. He’s of course a fantastic actor and a star in his own right. But this is a success of a team.”
A fantastic track record
Kartik Aaryan’s track record has been consistent. Since Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018), his openings have been improving with each film. Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety had an opening of Rs. 6.42 crore. Luka Chuppi (2019) opened at Rs. 8.01 crore while Pati Patni Aur Woh (2019) opened at Rs. 9.10 crore. The opening of Love Aaj Kal (2020) was a huge Rs. 12 crore. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, meanwhile, opened at Rs. 14.11 crore. This aspect has got noticed and has gotten a thumbs up from the trade. Also, that his choice of films has been commercial mainstream entertainers has worked in his favour.
Taran Adarsh stated, “In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, he is not playing just a serious role or romancing. He is doing all of that and also doing comedy, that too, very nicely. He’s confident in front of the camera. He’s dancing so well too; it caught me completely off guard as I had not seen this side of him. The hook step of the title track has caught on big time. He’s evolving into a very fine actor. So, youngsters and the ladies like him a lot. He’s able to maintain that following with the kind of films that he has done, be it Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Luka Chuppi, Pati Patni Aur Woh and now Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. These films were light-hearted and delivered what the trailers promised.”
Rathi emphasized, “He’s truly endearing himself to the masses now with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. I know that he’s smart enough to consolidate his position and increase his stardom. Because stardom is proportional to how many fans you have and how many people turn up to the cinemas when they see you on the poster. With these kinds of films, he’s increasing his fan base which is a fantastic move.”
Will his future films benefit?
Will the super success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 help Kartik Aaryan in his forthcoming films like Shehzada and Freddy? Komal Nahta replied, “Yes, as people would feel that since his last film was so good, they should check his next film too.”
Akshaye Rathi stated, “He is among the smartest actors that I have ever had a conversation with. The steps that he’s taking increase his intrinsic value and takes him beyond the metros, in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This will ensure that his next films like Shehzada do phenomenally well.”
Taran Adarsh said, “Shehzada is the remake of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020). It’s a tall order to step into Allu Arjun’s shoes. Earlier, I had my concerns. After Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, I am confident that he must have carried it off well. I have not seen a single frame of Shehzada but I am hopeful.”
Word of advice
Any word of advice for Kartik Aaryan? Taran Adarsh said, “He should not do Bandra-to-Versova type of films. At times, actors feel that ‘I have got commercial success. Now, I have to prove myself as an actor’. I hope Kartik never goes down that path. It’s a one-way entry. Wahan se return hona bahut mushkil hota hai.”
Akshaye Rathi, in agreement, added, “I think for an actor to mix up his films is great but I think that can never be done at the cost of the audience. An actor’s job is to entertain. It’s okay to give a socially relevant message simultaneously or to do passion projects. However, ultimately, it’s a business. Actors are answerable to the people who queue up to buy the tickets. And they come to the theatres to get entertained. I am sure Kartik will keep that in mind while signing his next forthcoming films. As I said, I know him to be an extremely smart guy. I am pretty sure that the film that he has signed going ahead will only intrinsically expand his fan base. I truly hope to see him become one of the biggest superstars in the country.”
Komal Nahta meanwhile said, “My advice would be that the way the film has gone and the way the media is hailing him as the saviour, let that not go to his head. For the sake of the industry, he should refrain from increasing his price for the time being. He should wait for one more success, as the industry is passing through terrible times.”
Final thoughts
Taran Adarsh said before signing off, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’s success opens the door for everyone – Kartik Aaryan, Anees Bazmee, Kiara Advani and more importantly, for Bollywood. Manjulika ka darwaza khula toh khatra tha. Lekin box office ke liye yeh darwaza khulna bahut zaroori tha!”
More Pages: Shehzada Box Office Collection , Shehzada Movie Review
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