Salman Khan’s Dabangg 2 which released on 2012 is set
to breach the Rs 100-crore mark, reckon film trade experts. At the end of the
week, net collections stood at Rs 40.17 crore. It
was expected that the collection to pick up significantly and by the end of the
first week, the film could well become the latest entrant in the exclusive
“100-crore club”.
Now, what really is this 100-crore film that seems to have become the
new benchmark in Bollywood, and that which gets producers and distributors to
leave no stone unturned in their attempt to break the barrier? Why has the
100-crore film become an essential element in an actor’s CV in order to
establish him as a “bankable” star?
Is the 100-crore film a myth and a product of impeccable PR machinery?
Or is it a result of a transformation in the economics of the film trade? And how, just how, did the elusive 100-crore
mark become commonplace over the last few years? The term has become rather
ubiquitous and everyone from the commoner lining the street leading to Film
City to the spotboy on the set is talking about it.
Aamir Khan was the founder-member of the club in 2008, when his Ghajini became the first Bollywood film to gross 100 crore at the box office, taking only 18 days (less than three weeks) to do so. He followed it up in 2009 with 3 Idiots which took half the time (nine days) to reach the magical figure. Incidentally, 3 Idiots remains the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time with worldwide collections of Rs 339 crore.
Similarly Shah Rukh Khan too has had a smooth
ride in 100 crore club. Entering the club with Ra.One, the film entered the 100
crore club in 10 days and made a collection of 115 crores. Following up his achievement with
Farhan Akhtar’s Don 2, which entered the club in 13 days, the film made an income
of 106 crores!
However, his best performance in the club came with Yash Chopra’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan which entered the club in 11 days and
earned a lifetime collection of 120.65
crores. Shah Rukh’s next film Chennai Express directed by Rohit Shetty maintain his smooth
run at the 100 crore club.
However, the concept of 100 crore does challenge the qualitative values of films by basing their benchmark on numbers more than the strength of their scripts. Yet, the faulty concept is still a raging trend now and the glories of the club are here to stay, for now!!
However, the concept of 100 crore does challenge the qualitative values of films by basing their benchmark on numbers more than the strength of their scripts. Yet, the faulty concept is still a raging trend now and the glories of the club are here to stay, for now!!
Somali Bhowal
( PG MEDIA 2015-2017)
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