It could well be the case of ‘Enough is Enough’. Ever since the release of Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan, one waits to see a 100 crore success in Bollywood. Welcome Back came close but stopped inches short at the 97 crore mark. The only two bonafide hits in the interim duration have been Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon followed by Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2. However, when it comes to a blockbuster success that brings in audience in hordes, there has been none.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Now with the arrival of the Big Four – Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (12th November), Tamasha (27th November), Bajirao Mastani and Dilwale (both on 18th December) – it is expected that there would be smiles again for audiences as well as industry alike, be it the producers, distributors, exhibitors and of course the cast and crew. With names as big as Rajshri & Fox, Sajid Nadiadwala & UTV, Sanjay Leela Bhansali & Eros and Shahrukh Khan & Rohit Shetty coming together for production, marketing and distribution, nothing less is expected.

We reached out to different members of trade and took their views on the hopes that these four films carry. The 1000 crore question was – How do they see the Big Four ending 2015 with a Big High?

Girish Johar (Distributor and film business analyst)

Yes, post Bajrangi Bhaijaan there have been no biggies at the Box Office. However with Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon and Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 hitting the bull’s eye & Jazbaa hitting the mark too, things are somewhat better. Of course it is all coming all down to the four biggies now.

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is a sure shot Diwali bonanza. Solo release, Salman Khan, Sooraj Barjatya, family genre film in the family festival period – it is a no brainer that the film would be anything short of a blockbuster. Tamasha and Bajirao Mastani will surely find audiences as well, as they are biggies from big directors with reputed producers (Sajid Nadiadwala, Eros) backing them up. Finally, ending the year with Shahrukh Khan and Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale is a mega bonus for the box office and all movie fans. It will cater to young, old, families – everyone will be watching this one. Definitely a good time for us all in the industry. Big monies are riding on them as well.

Sanjay Ghai (Distributor and exhibitor)

One thing which is a fact is that Blockbusters are badly needed today. In fact next year is going to be very tough. Since the corporate houses are losing heavily, which they deserve by the way, there is no production. We need Indian and independent producers, distributors and exhibitors. Risk should be divided as well as the income. Just one company gambling it away is not good. It is also creating monopoly amongst the exhibitors and corporate producers. Without sharing the risk, nothing is possible. If these Big Four films and Hate Story 3 will give some good business, than only the industry will survive. Otherwise right now we are in a bad shape.

Ramesh Sippy (Distributor)

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo will be a major success, hence sweetening the industry’s Diwali. However the clash of Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani will be like an Indo-Pak cricket match, both of them being at each other’s throats. A sad scenario which could well be drowning the Box Office benefits of a solo release. Hopefully all will end well.

Dilwale

Dilwale

Akshaye Rathi (Exhibitor and distributor)

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Dilwale & Bajirao Mastani are films with pan India appeal and are certainly going to create havoc at the box office when they release! Tamasha on the other hand is bound to have an edge at the multiplexes of urban India and will certainly perform well there. These four films and the other few like Spectre, Kamal Haasan’s and Ajith’s films from down South, Marathi flicks like Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 will almost ensure that this turns out to be one of the best financial quarters for the industry, if not the best ever!

Atul Mohan (Trade expert)

I expect the losses of the year so far to be compensated with these four biggies. Festive season has begun and the public is in spending mood. Expect big to huge numbers. The power play is about to begin in the last two months of 2015. Expect big scores.

Bajirao Mastani

Bajirao Mastani

Harsh Jain (Distributor and exhibitor)

Yes, since Bajrangi Bhaijaan we haven’t had any blockbusters. Still, there were some films which did reasonably good business at the box office, such as Drishyam, Talvar, Kis KisKo Pyaar Karoon and Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 which ensured cash flow to come in. Surely, we missed the overflow that a blockbuster brings.

Now in the last couple of months, I am confident that Prem Ratan Dhan Payo would not just emerge as this year’s biggest hit, but it could even be the film of the decade. Following it, Tamasha will again bring the hit pair of Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone together, which again is looking very good. Later, both Bajirao Mastani and Dilwale, which are coming together on the same date, are looking very good from the trailer and posters. I believe both will do good business.

Rajesh Thadani (Distributor)

Yes I feel these Big Four films will rock the box office, change the present scenario and the year will close at a great high, hence paving way for a positive 2016.