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Category: Cinema & Storytelling

  • Get Ready For The ‘Happy New Year’ Marketing Juggernaut !

    Get Ready For The ‘Happy New Year’ Marketing Juggernaut !

    Get Ready For The Happy New Year Marketing Juggernaut !

    The Marketing for SRK’s ‘Happy New Year’ has already started. If ‘Om Shanti Om’ and ‘RaOne’ and ‘Chennai Express’ experience is considered, expect a mega publicity drive.

    It started with the full page advertisements at the start of the year. The latest one is the ‘Happy New Year’ auditions for acting with SRK on Groupon. It is designed to create lot of ‘user engagement’. By being part of the movie, the user will be more connected to the movie. The people who applied for the auditions will have an emotional stake in the movie. People are being gifted certificates etc.

    Expect more innovations and more visibility campaigns from SRK. Expect to read more and hear more about SRK and its cast. There will be overt and covert approaches.

    Smart move !

    HNY_Groupon_2

     

  • Honey Singh & The Blockbuster Strategy

    Honey Singh & The Blockbuster Strategy

    Anita Elberse’s Blockbusters is one of the must read books in the entertainment world today. It makes a refreshing and a strong argument for the cause of Blockbusters.

    Anita Elberse is an award-winning scholar at Harvard Business School. She teaches a course on Strategic Marketing in Creative Industries, covering the businesses of entertainment, media, and sports. Her book ‘Blockbusters: Hit-making, Risk-taking, and the Big Business of Entertainment’ is awarded Amazon’s “Best Books of 2013” in the Business and Investing category.

    According to Anita, the blockbuster strategy ensures higher success rate at box office and reduce risk. Blockbuster strategy of investing in big potential winners reaps rich rewards across industry segments – movies, sports, video games, music bands, hotels, restaurants, electronics. She uses examples of Warner Brothers, Beyonce, Argentinian Soccer Clubs, Jay-Z etc to drive home the point. For example, Warner Bros. earned more than 40% of revenues from the top 10% of films produced from 2007 to 2011. In 2011, 102 music tracks, 0.001% of the eight million tracks on offer that year, sold more than a million units, representing 15% of total music sales. That’s up from 36 tracks with more than a million units sold in 2007, representing 7% of sales. At the other end of the curve, 94% of all tracks in 2011 sold fewer than 100 units, and 32% sold only one copy.

    Blockbuster Strategy is exploiting the “winner-takes-it-all” strategy. Studios should focus on more Blockbuster movies and produce less movies.

    If you think more about, the strategy is clearing shaping the world around us. The energies that are behind launching mobile phones are example of Blockbuster strategies. See how Samsung launches its new phones.

    In Indian context, the same phenomena are clearly visible. The biggest Indian movie of recent time was Dhoom 3. It was the first movie to reach near INR 5 Billion (85 Million USD). Incidentally, Indian movies first reached the 1 Billion INR mark only in 2010 onwards. India’s biggest sporting league is Indian Premiere League (cricket). It mimics NFL. India’s top singer is Honey Singh today. He has taken over the imagination of India. He is our equivalent of Beyonce and Jay-Z strategies.

    Infact, India is under the election fever. And the front runner for PM Post has emerged as his party favorite using the Blockbuster strategy. What he did in his party, he is doing at the national level.

    Finally, Blockbuster Strategy is carpet bombing the masses. It is mass strategy. The world is also moving towards more customized experiences. The world is moving towards niches. Toward slow movement. It could be the big challenger to Blockbuster strategy.

    Blockbusters

  • National Film Awards – Ship Of Theseus Wins Top Honor

    National Film Awards – Ship Of Theseus Wins Top Honor

    The 61st National Film Awards were announced. It shows a worthy list of well-deserved winners.

    Ship Of Theseus indeed is a great choice of the best feature film. I had written about it earlier in the two blogs as well:
    Ship Of Theseus – The Finest Indian Movie !
    Bollywood’s Top Movies 2013

    Shahid got the well deserved awards for Rajkumar Rao and Hansal Mehta. So happy for Hansal !

    Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was indeed a popular entertainer across the stream.

    Another highlight was the sheer number of awards for Marathi films. The golden days of Marathi cinema continue !

    Please find the complete list of award winners:

    Best Feature Film: Ship of Theseus

    Best Direction: Hansal Mehta for Shahid (Hindi)

    Best Film (Hindi): Jolly LLB
    Best Popular Film providing wholesome Entertainment: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (Hindi)

    Best Actor: Raj Kumar (Shahid, Hindi) & Suraj Venjaramoodu (Terariyathavar, Malyalam)
    Best Actress: Geetanjali Thapa (Liar’s Dice, Hindi)

    Supporting Actor (Female) – Aida Elkashef, Ship of Theseus and Amruta Subash, Astu
    Supporting Actor (Male) – Saurabh Shukla, Jolly LLB

    Special Jury Award: Yellow (Marathi) & Miss Lovely (Hindi)

    Special Mention Gauri Gadgil and Sanjana Rai for ‘Yellow’ (Marathi)
    Direction (Non Feature): Chidiya Udh
    Special Effects: Jal
    Short Fiction (Non Feature): Mandrake! Mandrake! (Hindi)
    Non Feature Film on Social Issues: Gulabi Gang (Hindi, Bundelkhandi)
    Environmental Film including Agriculture: Foresting Life (Hindi,Assamese)

    Non Feature Film: Rangbhoomi (Hindi)

    Best Book on Cinema: Cinema Ga Cinema (Telgu) by Nandagopal
    Sound Design: Bishwadeep Chatterjee, Madras Cafe
    Choreography: Ganesh Aacharya, Havan Karenge (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)

    Best Children’s Film: Kaphal (Hindi)
    Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation: Perariyathavar (Malyalam)
    Best Film on Social Issues: Tuhya Dharma Koncha (Marathi)

    Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration: Thalaimuraigal (Tamil)
    Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director: Fandry (Marathi)

    Playback Singer: Bela Shinde Khura Khura

  • 500 Crores – Not An Impossible Task For Bollywood !

    500 Crores – Not An Impossible Task For Bollywood !

    In the last 2-3 years, the Indian Film Industry had got a new aspirational goal – 100 Crores. Suddenly 100 crores was the new benchmark of success. With each passing year, the number of films in the 100 crore club grew. And it will continue to grow. The rationale is simple.

    India’s population is more than 100 crores. Even if 2% of Indian population watches a movie, it is 2 crore people watching a movie. Multiply it by the average lowest price of Rs 50, and we have 100 crores !

    Movies were always popular in India and hit movies made good money. A few important changes have happened in the Indian Film Industry and that has contributed to the 100 crore movies:

    1. The revenue leakages are getting reduced due to multiplexes and digital technologies.
    2. Multiplexes have increased the number of screens. They have also increased the ticket prices and hence the yield.
    3. Strong marketing strategies ensure carpet bombing of the movie. Maximum people watch movie within 2 weeks.
    4. Modern management has ensured a good template for the success of a big size movie.

    Inspite of the above facts, India has less number of per capita screens. The movie watching audience will continue to swell and we will soon move to new benchmarks. In fact, 200 crore is the new 100 crore with three movies already clocking more than 200 crores in 2013. The day is not far when 500 crore will not be an impossible feat in Bollywood.

    Indian Film Industry is bullish in outlook. The only challenge is to ensure high quality content with global best practices. It can then make a bigger dent in the global entertainment order !

    dhoom-3_138727694500

  • Bollywood’s Top Movies 2013

    Bollywood’s Top Movies 2013

    The End Of The Year – Time To Review. Time To Reflect. Time To Relive.

    2013 Was A Mixed Year For Bollywood – India’s Film Industry.

    The 100 Crore Club continued to welcome new members and three movies rocked even into 200 Crore club – Dhoom 3, Krrish 3 and Chennai Express.

    At Half Year mark, I had commented: “The content and treatment continues to win. The new talent is getting better results and traditional stars are being challenged. Good times for Bollywood continue!”. It still holds true at the end of the year. (See Bollywood 2013 Half Year Mark Review)

    Ranbir tasted first failure when he let money to precede our his cinematic choices. Though Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaani was no great cinema, it balanced commercial and contemporary cinema. The same treatment was dished out to Himmatwala, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai 2. Ranbir’s Rocket Singh is yet to be bettered, Barfi not withstanding.

    Ranbir got a challenger in form of Ranveer with Ram Leela and Lootera showcasing his talent. Sushant Singh Rajput is the new talent where banks are betting their money on ! Parineeti and Alia Bhatt are the new ladies to watch for ! Nimrat Kaur seems promising !

    Deepika was the actor of the year with 4 hits – Race 2, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express and Ram Leela. Behind the beautiful face and awesome acting is an intelligent mind – who redefined herself. Sonakshi and Shahid Kapoor need reinvention for sure – they can learn from Deepika.

    I still feel the best film of the year was Ship Of Theseus. It was seconded by The Lunchbox. Ship Of Theseus showcases the best of Indian Cinema and so does The Lunchbox. A R Rahman still rules in the music department. Though Aashiqui 2 brought new challengers.

    Top 5 Films:

    1. Ship Of Theseus
    2. Lunchbox
    3. Kai Po Che
    4. Raanjhaana
    5. Shahid
    6. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
    7. Shuddh Desi Romance
    8. Special 26
    9. Aashiqui 2
    10. D-Day

    Other Honorable Mentions:
    1. Madras Cafe
    2. Ram Leela

    Top 5 Movies That Did Not Work !:
    1. Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobara
    2. Himmatwala
    3. Besharam
    4. Zanjeer
    5. Phata Poster

    Top Grossers Of The Year:
    1. Dhoom 3 – 250 Cr +
    2. Krrish 3 – 250 Cr
    3. Chennai Express – 225 Cr
    4. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani – 190 Crore
    5. Ram Leela – 110 Cr

    I am pleased to note that Bhaag Milkha Bhaag crossed 100 Crores – 100 Crores is not an elusive number anymore with even Grand Masti touching the magical figure.

    Ram Leela Poster

  • The LunchBox – Food For Thought – Watch It !

    The LunchBox – Food For Thought – Watch It !

    The Lunchbox is a moving story of two lonely individuals in a big metropolis, who accidentally get connected and developed a liking for each other. It is a simple love story made with lot of care and attention to detail.

    Mr Saajan Fernandes is a widower on the verge of retirement. Ila is a neglected wife busy with her daily routine. Ila sends lunch to her husband via the Mumbai Dabbawallas. The lunch box reaches Mr Saajan instead of her husband and this is where their connect starts. They exchange notes and get some solace from each other.

    The outstanding performances of Irrfan, Nimrat and Nawazuddin light up the movie. Aunty’s voice is the fourth lead in her own way. Irffan delivers another stellar performance after Paan Singh Tomar . His body language, his eyes, his his walk, his sadness, his smoking, his dilemma – Irrfan is the finest actor in the country. Nawaz is a strong match to Irrfan and he shines as Irrfan’s junior. But the heart of the movie is Nimrat Kaur – her effortless acting and her portrayal of the neglected and cheated wife moves you. You want her to be happy – you want to make her smile. Amazing act ! What a find !

    The movie shines by capturing observations of Mumbai city and humans trapped in the city. The Mumbai Dabbawallas are the backbone of the movie. The Dabbawalla refuses to acknowledge the mistake and claims that Harvard School and Prince Charles have come to study their famed delivery – how can they go wrong? Mr Saajan is a Catholic and is disturbed that he will get a vertical burial. “I’ve spent my life standing in trains and buses,” he says, “now I will have to stand even when I’m dead.”

    Nawaz’s Act, Playful Children, Ila’s Mother’s Loneliness, Ila’s Husband’s Adultery add strong shades in this colorful painting. Orient Fan, Streetside Painter’s Paintings, Ila’s Seduction Attempt, Banana Eaters are the other rich textures.

    Go watch it ! One of the best movies of the year !

    LunchBox is Food For Thought but somehow it makes you hungry after the movie !

  • The Good Road Controversy – Let Us Look At The Road Ahead !

    The recent nomination of Gujarati Film ‘The Good Road’ for the Oscars In Best Foreign Film Categry has created lot of controversy. It is all fire and rage against the movie.

    Let us look at the issues.

    1. Better Films Lost Out – The Ship Of Theseus And The LunchBox !

    Lot of people believe that films like ‘The LunchBox’ and ‘The Ship Of Theseus’ and ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ would have been better choices. I also agree that ‘The LunchBox’ and ‘The Ship Of Theseus’ could have worked better. But this happens every year.

    Year 2012 : Barfi was India’s nomination. Everyone felt that Paan Singh Tomar, Kahaani, Deool, The Dirty Picture were better films and could have better chances.

    Year 2010: Peepli Live was our choice. Udaan was definitely a better movie.

    Year 2007: Do you really think Eklavya was the best choice? Chak De India, Gandhi My Father, Guru or Dharm could have given more teeth to Indian representation.

    Year 2005: Paheli was the Indian choice in 2005. It was selected ahead of Parineeta, Swades, Page 3, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. I would rooted Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi or Swades.

    My all time favorite – Jeans in 1998 !

    So it happens every year – nothing new.

    2. Wrong Depiction of Gujarati / Indian Culture

    As Vidya Balan said in The Dirty Picture, films are made for entertainment, entertainment and entertainment. Not all Oscar nominations are made only for social message.

    Also, The Good Road’s depiction of certain issues could be a reality which we may want to ignore. Did SlumDog Millionaire represent India correct? Does BA Pass represent India correctly?

    I understand that movies with universal message and human stories appeal to the Oscar jury. The Good Road has struck a chord with Indian jury – it might also strike a chord in foreign shores. Also, apart from the message, there are also the marketing and lobbying efforts that determine the Oscar victory.

    3. Political Angle

    No comments here !

    Overall, I think it was very sad to see the negative publicity around ‘The Good Road’. I believe that it is natural for ‘The LunchBox’ team to be disappointed. It is a great movie – one of the best movies in recent time. Even ‘The Ship Of Theseus’ is a class apart. Maybe they would have been great choices. But now that choice is made, let us stand behind it. Let us make it win !

    The bright side is that all these three movies are made by first time film-makers. It give us great hope. The Indian Cinema is lucky to have these gems. They have more movies left in them and this critical and commercial acclaim will only encourage them to take bigger risks.

    Second, NFDC produced ‘The Good Road’ and ‘The Lunchbox’. It represents another positive note. Kiran Rao picked up ‘The Ship Of Theseus’ and Karan Johar picked up ‘The LunchBox’ after the production. It means studios are willingness to support good cinema and give it a wider release. A great victory for all.

    So – Let us look a the road ahead. Let us support this movie. Let us help it win ! It is now India’s case !

  • Jobs: The Genius Is Missing !

    Jobs: The Genius Is Missing !

    Jobs Movie is a big letdown.

    I am an Apple fan. I am a Apple consumer since early 2000s. I have been interested in Steve Jobs, his leadership, his presentation skills, his innovation. I am aware that he was a flawed and an eccentric character. I loved Walter Issacon’s biography. Naturally, I was doubly excited about Jobs movie since its announcement – it married my two interests – Apple and Movies.

    Jobs movie captures only some moments of Jobs’ eventful life. The events are also given a passing reference. Jobs life has a perfect screenplay, which is not exploited fully.

    Apple produces glamorous products with story and magic around it, Jobs Movie does not !

    Steve was a great marketer and a greater businessman. He had a strange ability to spot magic and push people to innovation. He rallied the troops at Apple and made it the most valuable company in the world. This is not captured in the movie.

    I found that Woz was made to sound like a comical character – a second rung side-kick. Sculley episode was totally underplayed. The Lisa part was not given equal justice as well. The way Woz was cheated, or stock options denied to early members, making of Macintosh etc could have been effectively exploited. The dialogue between him and his designer at the end sounded very very fake and gospelic. You see that funny episode and other small moments like parking in disability spot.

    Many people expecting to see iPhone, iPad and other stories will be highly disappointed. This is outside movie’s frame. So is his cancer episode. For non-tech masses and many emerging countries, the context will be missing.

    The movie does not do justice to Jobs. It has many parts of his life but sum is lesser than parts. The movie could have been in the same league as The Social Network to become a business case study for leadership and technology business. It is not !

    The genius is missing in the movie.

  • Ship Of Theseus – The Finest Indian Movie !

    Intellectual & Visual Treat !!!
    India’s Oscar Nomination !!!
    The Film Of The Year !!!

    Watch It ! No Review – Just Watch It !

  • D-Day : Impressive Movie

    D-Day : Impressive Movie

    Nikhil Advani’s D-Day Is An Impressive Movie. The Movie Attempts To Be In The Same League As Zero Dark Thirty, Argo Etc. It Works Partly.

    The Plot Is About Getting Back India’s Most Wanted Criminal From A Neighbor Nation. The Indian Anger For Terrorist Act And Hunger For Getting Back The Criminal Is Exploited Well (Like The Wednesday). The Four Protagonists Have Their Stories, Which Is Built Up Well In The First Half. The First Half Ends With A Foiled Attempt. The Second Half Is Interesting Except For The Last 5 Minutes. The Movie Ends Predictably.

    Irrfan, Rishi Kapoor And Nasser Shine In The Movie. Irrfan Gives Another Power-House Performance. The Range Of Emotions Displayed By Him Is Phenomenal. Rishi Kapoor Is A Sheer Delight To Watch. The Lover-Boy Of Indian Cinema Is Shining As A Villain In His Second Innings. Agneepath Was Another Gem From Him. People Will Ask For Rishi-Ranbir Act Now !

    Arjun Rampal Is His Usual Self. Shruti Has Two Releases – D-Day Showcases Her In A Very Different Role From Ramaiya. Huma Qureshi, Chandan Roy Sanyal Give Good Support.

    The Song Alvida Is A Visual Delight. Nikhil Advani Redeems Himself. We Forgive Him For Chandni Chowk To China. The Movie’s Length Is A Problem.

    D-Day Is A Good Movie. Worth A Watch !