After a great 2023, a tough quarter awaits for Bollywood

While films with top stars like Shah Rukh and Salman Khan won’t be released in theaters in 2024, theater owners and industry experts say the films starring Shahid Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar and Vicky Kaushal will not be released in theaters in 2024. I have high hopes for this medium-sized film. .

“2023 was a year that showed a lot of hope, especially compared to 2022, when the business hit rock bottom. INR500 million milestone has been crossed and it happened four times throughout the year, so the benchmark is now quite high,” said Akshaye Rati, independent distributor and exhibitor.

While many are worried about the absence of big titles, they are optimistic about the fact that director Ajay Devgn is planning to release multiple films in the coming months, with R. Madhavan and R. Madhavan in March. An untitled supernatural thriller co-starring Jyothika is set to be released. Auron main kahan dum thaa drama directed by Neeraj Pandey in April, and Singham The franchise film directed by Rohit Shetty will be released in August.

Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar plans to start the year with: to starta remake of the Tamil film “Soorarai Pottru” was released in February and is an action comedy. Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan The film co-starring Tiger Shroff is scheduled for Eid in April.

Amit Sharma, managing director of Miraj Entertainment, which operates multiplex theaters, said this year could also see pan-Indian hits originally made in southern languages.Kamal Haasan’s indian 2Prabhas Kalki 2898 ADAllu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 and Jr NTR Devaraall ready for release.

Pranav Garg, managing director of Maya Palace, a two-screen cinema in Muzaffarnagar, said that although things ended well for cinemas last year, there are big concerns among promoters’ associations.

“There are small films that fill some theaters, but nothing great. Shortly after that, we enter the Ramzan period, and in any case, many films refrain from releasing due to low audience,” Garg said. he said, adding that Shah Rukh Khan is expected to do well at the box office. Danki The film is expected to have a significant three to four week run after its Christmas release, but the film’s box office performance is already sluggish.

flat warrioris an action thriller and is not expected to make great numbers like movies like pathan and Jawan Last year, it was successful in the mass market Hindi-speaking world.

Vishek Chauhan, an independent exhibitor based in Bihar, also said: INRThe 500 million figure expected in 2023 is not taken into account this time. “Right now, this year looks like it’s going to be a lukewarm year, and production companies are going to have to really recalibrate to make bigger productions and portray actors as larger-than-life heroes.” (2023) There’s no reason to get too excited about the numbers,” Chauhan said.