So, I saw a link through Times of India to an interview with Rohit Shetty about Dilwale box office. If you don’t want to bother following the link, here are the big take aways:
- Dilwale box office is dropping off through the week with Bajirao crawling ahead (nooooooo! The horror! I must buy more tickets!)
- Shetty thinks the slow start for Dilwale is more because of the last minute ban in Rajasthan and Madra Pradesh, which apparently caused about 40 % of theaters in those states to pass on the film, than any competition from Bajirao opening the same day.
- He was working on post-production and editing up to the release date, and the whole film start to finish was put together in 5 months.
So, what do we learn from this?
Well, first, Bajirao is getting better word of mouth than Dilwale, but it remains to be seen whether that will break through the initial slow start for Bajirao, and what is going to happen when theaters have the chance to swap movies this Friday, and now that the protests have stopped through out India.
Second, if Dilwale does end up doing poorly, I think I am okay chalking that up to the price of political action and fighting tyranny. Even if I didn’t agree with Shahrukh’s intolerance remarks (which I do), I would strongly disagree with political groups using threats and bullying to try to shut down a movie just because of the public statements of the star. He should be able to say whatever he wants without fearing for his life or livelihood.
Third, I have to say, having seen the film, it feels like a movie that was thrown together in 5 months and was in post-production until the release date! My sister joked that the reason “Janam Janam” has that “aaa-aaa” chorus in it is because they didn’t have time to write lyrics. Which kind of feels maybe true?
dontcallitbollywood 
Five months? That explains a lot. Like that the flow of the movie feels very hodge podge. There are some great moments (Janam Janam song), and some interesting ideas — Kajol is a gangsta! But it could have used quite a bit more time in developing the script, and in editing.
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Possibly also a bit more time working on the characters. It felt like maybe a little more work on mannerisms and motivations would help make them feel less like “insert Shahrukh puppy face here” and more like real people.
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Oh, and I just love the pictures you pick for your posts. i get the email alert, and it’s always a delight to see what the picture will be!
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Thank you! I thought about tracking down an explanation for this photo, but then I decided it is better as a mystery. Maybe Rohit just likes hanging out on rooftops holding a hawk?
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”My sister joked that the reason “Janam Janam” has that “aaa-aaa” chorus in it is because they didn’t have time to write lyrics. Which kind of feels maybe true?“ <—- I totally need to watch it again and then maybe I can spent a little time off SRK's face. ^_^
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You should watch it again! Many many times. But no need to look away from SRK’s face, I can confirm, after 2 viewings, it is still the best part of the film.
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Jingbin, I watched again last night and I did finally look away from SRK at times! Ha!
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By the way, this is a bit odd, but you guys leave near each other and Jingbin says she is having a hard time finding a theater that is playing Dilwale. What theater do you go to?
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