2012 The year of the 100 crore club
2012 The year of the 100 crore club : Films have always been defined by various parameters – performances, story lines, music, box office collections, number of awards and so on. There was a time when the running time of a film in theaters was the ultimate measure of success. But the latest entrant that surpasses it all is the ‘100 crore club’. Your film maybe good, the concept may even be great but if you aren’t getting the cash registers ringing to a 100, you still have a long way to go. The latest status symbol of the Hindi film industry, desired by all but exclusive only to a few.
2012 The year of the 100 crore club
What exactly is the 2012 The year of the 100 crore club and why is it so coveted? To get official entry into ‘the club’, a film has to have made enormous net collections. This mainly includes the money made by the film in the country of screening and does not include even overseas collection. Getting into the club is not an easy process and very few have the privilege of getting membership into it. For the uninitiated, it was Aamir Khan’s Ghajini that started this trend.
So the question is, is there a sure shot formula to make it to ‘the club’. Well almost. Some must haves include an A list star, a big production banner, a huge budget, a few chartbuster songs and some noteworthy names working on the project. The one thing, if you notice, that can be side lined is the story. If you look back into the year, a number of films have made it to the coveted club, but not all of them, rather very few have a story that will carve a space in your memory. These movies are most often than not, driven by the stars who feature in them. It is their loyal following that gets the box office buzzing.
That obviously doesn’t mean that any run of the mill film featuring a big name get the cash registers ringing. It does take a lot of hard work, skill and marketing to get there. 2012 has been a lucky year 2012 The year of the 100 crore club for many films that did make it 2012 The year of the 100 crore club. So we present to you the top 5 best films from amongst the year’s top grossers that we feel did have winner qualities.
Ek Tha Tiger
Ek Tha Tiger
Without a doubt the highest grosser of 2012 with a mammoth collection that almost touched 200 crore, Ek Tha Tiger was the perfect Salman Khan entertainer. It had it all – action, masala, uncanny humour, underlying romance and the beautiful Katrina Kaif – Blockbusters are made of this. Salman plays the tough RAW agent nicknamed Tiger. With much ease jumping of buildings, breaking bones, shooting down dirty dozens alone and catching planes by jumping off seeping bikes. All in a day’s work for ‘Bhai’. And why not, he garners hoots and whistles every time he does so.
The globetrotting throughout the story did become a bone of contention but people chose to enjoy the picturesque locales and Katrina Kaif beautifully captured by Aseem Mishra. Though the film had its flaws – it does drag in parts but director Kabir Khan’s treatment of the spy thriller with a zing keeps the adrenaline pumping! The songs fail to get the foot tapping and the only half-good song Mashallah comes at the end credits. Like every Salman Khan movie this too lived up to its expectations and the box office numbers are ample proof of that.
Barfi
Barfi
The unprecedented charmer of the year! This rom – com with a twist, received an unexpected response making it a surprise entry into the 100 crore club. The film also became India’s official entry into the prestigious Oscars. The movie truly shows India’s understanding for world cinema. Tch tch. The story of a deaf mute man and his two loves captivates you with a refreshing script and intriguing back and forth narrative.
But the one thing that made the movie a super hit were the characters that leave you spellbound – Ranbir Kapoor excels as the happy and naughty Barfi not once making you pity his handicap. Debutante Illeana makes a confident entry into Hindi films and the autistic Jhilmil essayed by the glamorous Priyanka Chopra who sheds every bit of her stardom to live the very character. Director Anurag Basu’s splendid visual imagery coupled with Ravi Varman’s cinematography that intertwines the beautiful play of lights and colours succeeds in transporting you into the magical world of Barfi. Barfi was like a painting, touch it and it might smudge. And Pritam’s beautiful soundtrack creates melody that will be etched in our memories for a long time.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Jab Tak Hai Jaan making it to the 100 crore club is a fitting tribute to the Late Yash Chopra. A highly awaited film from the King of Romance, as he took the reins of direction after a considerable gap, unfortunately also became his last. The film had all the elements of a trademark Yash Chopra movie – love, sacrifice, emotion and melody. A princess meets pauper, falls in love but only to separate and then re unite, all set amidst beautiful locales, heartwarming moments and harmonious songs. After all, it is these very factors that drive viewers to watch a Yash Chopra film.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan is no different. A visual feast with Anil Mehta’s world class cinematography, the film transports you into a world of fantasy. The casting was ideal, after all who can beat Shahrukh Khan when it comes to romance. But the characters were weak and lacked the spark. Aditya Chopra and Devika Bhagat’s story is high on emotion but had its flaws. Yash Chopra movies are known for their music, but this isn’t one of A R Rahman’s finest works. However, when you look back at the film, all you remember is the legend, Mr. Yash Chopra who gave romance a new dimension through his cinema and created hope for lovebirds across generations.
Rowdy Rathore
Rowdy Rathore
The box office collections of Rowdy Rathore are proof of the fact that nothing works better with Indian audiences than a full blown masala entertainer. The fact that it might lack actual sense, might be over the top and overtly loud is often ignored. Director Prabhu Deva re – affirms this fact through his action flick which also marks the return of Akshay Kumar to his forte – action.
The well choreographed action is what hold’s the film even when logic takes a turn towards the unknown. Thankfully, Prabhu Deva’s direction is a savior as he manages to keep the story fast paced. But it’s the hero of the film, Akshay Kumar at his Khiladi best that emerges as a winner. He is back to doing what he does best – street fights, slow motion stunts and some moments of humor. His comeback to his macho ways makes the movie entertaining. The music of the film by Sajid Wajid is also good; some foot thumping numbers included but the number of songs could definitely be less. On the whole, Rowdy Rathore established the theory that all successful movies need not be driven by innovative stories, sometimes an age old formula (read: double roles) with shrill action, mindless humor and a big star can win hearts.
Talaash
Talaash
Talaash was undoubtedly amongst the most awaited films of the year. And why not, it had the perfectionist coming back to the silver screen after quite a gap. As with all Aamir Khan movies, Talaash too managed to build a significant buzz much before its release and also lived up to most of it – slowly but steadily etching its way into ‘the club’ . There were several rumors around its resemblance to Kahaani, but both the films command their individual mettle.
Reema Kagti’s taut direction coupled with K U Mohanan’s crisp cinematography adds several interesting layers to the film. The script was the unabashed hero of the film that is wonderfully supported by the perfectly chosen cast. Be it the leads, Aamir Khan who is authentic as the police inspector, Rani Mukherji as an average housewife struggling with the loss of her only child, Kareena Kapoor as the commercial sex worker or the supporting performers like Nawazuddin (he has proved his versatility in this year) every other character stays fresh in your memory. Though the overall plot is driven by suspense, it is the sub plots that stir human emotions at different levels – personal loss, anguish, blackmail, belief in the supernatural and more. Kagti lets every plot breathe individually and yet come together beautifully as one whole. A lot was expected of Talaash and it doesn’t completely fail, leaving you surprised on several occasions. A good film to close the year.
