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Chk out

By Taran Adarsh, September 8, 2010 - 15:04 IST


The fight between good and bad has been the fodder of many a Hindi film of 1970s and 1980s. In fact, it wouldn't be erroneous to state that these films dominated the cinema of yore and a lot of us, who have grown up on masala films/wholesome entertainers, will vividly recall the serpentine queues outside cinema halls and a mad scramble to book the tickets of those films. Hardcore masala films were relished with glee by the audience then.

However, for some inexplicable reason, masala films became extinct or should I say, disappeared from the face of Hindi cinema over a period of time. GHAJINI and WANTED revived this genre, bringing back memories of the bygone era. Now DABANGG takes this genre one step ahead.

Write your own movie review of Dabangg Be forewarned. DABANGG is rustic, has loads of action, harps on the age-old mother-son and varied relationships [half-brother, step-father], eventually turns into a vendetta fare, has a number of songs placed smartly in the narrative [including an item number]... but the packaging is slick and polished. Sure, it's old wine, but packed in a brand new bottle, with a new brand ambassador [Salman Khan] endorsing this masalathon.


Most importantly, it has Salman like never before. Breathing fire and venom, Chulbul Pandey aka Robinhood Pandey taps Salman's star power like no film has and the result is sheer magic. In fact, DABANGG stands on three pillars - Salman's star power, smashing stunts and super music.

Final word? Salman fans, rejoice! You walk in DABANGG with 100% expectations and you exit with 200% gratification. Entertainment guaranteed. This film will create a pandemonium of sorts, a mass hysteria, crushing old records and setting new benchmarks at the box-office.

Set in Uttar Pradesh, DABANGG is a story of Chulbul Pandey [Salman Khan], a totally fearless but corrupt police officer with unorthodox working methods. But even the most fearless at times face a tough fight with their innermost demons. Chulbul has had a bitter childhood. His father passed away when he was very young, after which his mother [Dimple Kapadia] married Prajapati Pandey [Vinod Khanna]. Together, they had a son Makhanchan [Arbaaz Khan].

Prajapati favors Makhanchan, which does not go down well with Chulbul. He decides to take control of his destiny and detaches himself from his step-father and half-brother. His sole attachment is his mother. However, after his mother's demise and an unsuccessful attempt to mend wounds, Chulbul snaps all ties with his step-father and half-brother.

Rajo [Sonakshi Sinha], with her unique perspective of life, enters his world and turns life upside down. Chulbul starts to see life more positively and also gets sensitized to the value of a family. But his detractors, especially the dubious Cheddi Singh [Sonu Sood], have their own vested interests and emerge as spokes in the wheels, putting one brother against the other. Makhanchan ends up carrying out an act oblivious to the consequences.

When Makhanchan realizes he has been used, he turns to Chulbul. Will Chulbul take his extended hand? Will the brothers be able to thwart their detractors?

The job of a promo is to give a gist of the film and prepare the audience well in advance about what to expect when they saunter into an auditorium. The promos of DABANGG have sent the right signals to the audience about it being a paisa vasool entertainer. Let's face it, DABANGG has nothing ground-breaking to offer as far as its plot is concerned. We've visited similar stories in the past, but what makes DABANGG shine, and shine brightly, is Salman's star power, which camouflages the aberrations wonderfully. The darling of the masses has been cast in a role that his fans love to see him in, which explains why this film works from start to end.

Like I pointed out earlier, DABANGG is special for two more reasons: S. Vijayan's stunts and Sajid-Wajid's music, with an additional song by Lalit Pandit. Talking of action scenes, Salman's introduction at the start and the fight-to-finish in the climax will send the masses in frenzy. To state that the action scenes are outstanding, especially the fight in the finale, would be an understatement. In the finale fight, when Salman's shirt tears apart and the rippling muscles and the bare-chest fight ensues, mark my words, it will lead to chaos at mass-dominated centres, especially at single screens. The climax will be one of the prime reasons for repeat viewing, for sure.

It's difficult to accommodate music in an action film, but Sajid-Wajid come up with a melodious score. The title track, 'Tere Mast Mast Do Nain' and 'Munni' [composed by Lalit Pandit] are the icing on the cake.

Director Abhinay Singh Kashyap is in his element. He's made an out and out entertainer with an eye at the masses and he succeeds in his endeavour. Doing justice to vintage formula is no cakewalk, let's not forget. Besides, the director stays away from going overdramatic while handling the dramatic and emotional moments. This explains why you don't exit the theatre with a spinning head. Mahesh Limaye's cinematography is perfect. I'd like to make a note of the editing [Pranav V. Dhiwar], which is super-slick in action scenes. Dialogue, especially those delivered by Salman, will be greeted with claps and whistles. Especially the one 'Itne chhed karunga'.

Salman Khan is the boss, when it comes to playing to the masses. This film reaffirms this truth. The role provides him ample opportunity to prove his star power and he does it with remarkable ease. Let me put it on record. DABANGG is yet another landmark film in his career, besides MAINE PYAR KIYA, HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN, JUDWAA [tapping the funny side], TERE NAAM [tapping the emotional side] and WANTED.

Sonakshi Sinha looks fresh, acts confidently and pairs off very well with Salman. Most importantly, she delivers the right expressions and is not overpowered by the galaxy of stars in the cast. Arbaaz Khan is efficient. He underplays his part well. Sonu Sood is electrifying, matching up to Salman at every step. In fact, the fight in the finale between Salman and Sonu is awe-inspiring.

Vinod Khanna is excellent in a role that has grey shades. Dimple Kapadia is truly wonderful. Anupam Kher is, as always, good. Ditto for Om Puri. Mahesh Manjrekar doesn't get ample scope. Mahi Gill is alright. Tinnu Anand is effective. Murli Sharma is nice. Malaika Arora Khan sizzles in the 'Munni' track.

On the whole, DABANGG is a full on entertainer with three aces - Salman Khan like never before, stylish action and super music. It's a foregone conclusion that DABANGG will open huge. As far as the business prospects are concerned, the film will set new benchmarks, so much so that DABANGG will be one of the yardsticks to gauge the level of business in times to come. Sure to fetch an earth-shattering opening, the film will create a pandemonium at the box-office, cementing the status of Salman Khan as the darling of the masses and making the distributors laugh all the way to the bank. It has Blockbuster written all over it!

**** - 4.5/5

Top All Time Domestic Grossers Pre-Dabangg

Thursday 9th September 2010 09.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network

Dabangg will release tomorrow and is expected to be a box office juggernaut. Below is a look at the top ten domestic grossers of all time. The industry has nine 100 crore plus domestic grossers and Dabanng is very likely to be another one. NOTE - All figures are Gross.

1. Three Idiots (2009) - 270 crore

2. Ghajini (2008) - 155 crore

3. Gadar (2001) - 130 crore

4. Raajneeti (2010) - 124 crore

5. Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994) - 123 crore

6. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) - 117 crore

7. Dhoom 2 (2006) - 112 crore

8. Om Shanti Om (2007) - 110 crore

9. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)- 106 crore

10. Welcome (2007) - 98 crore

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The Craze And Hype Of Dabangg Keeps Growing

Wednesday 8th September 2010 15.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network

The craze and hype of Dabangg has kept on growing over the last month is likely to be at an optimum when the film releases this Friday. The huge popularity of Salman Khan amongst the masses is an added advantage especially in the type of role the masses want to see him.

Dabangg is likely to be the biggest release ever in the domestic market. The multiplex release will be on par with Three Idiots though ticket rates may not be increased as much as they were for Three Idiots while the single screen release will be the biggest ever. The print count on release day is likely to be 600-650 physical prints and 1100 plus digital prints.




The first weekend is very likely to be the biggest of 2010 if the film lives up to the hype but the big question in the industry and trade is that will it beat the opening of Three Idiots and here some regard weekend as opening and others regard week as opening. The weekend is definitely a possibility but week is very tough as the weekdays in Christmas week perform better than any other week in the year and Three Idiots had immense appreciation which meant weekdays went much higher than normal.

The first week single screen share of Ghajini (8 Days) and Three Idiots was around 23 crore and Wanted was around 16 crore. If Dabangg is liked by the audience then there is no doubt that Dabangg will have the highest first week share from single screens due to the release factor.

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taran_adarsh
'Dabangg' is packed in advance at most screens. House Full boards are back!
about 6 hours ago via Power Twitter
Retweeted by Beingtskfc and 63 others

taran_adarsh
As per pre-release trends, 'Dabangg' should be the biggest opener of the year, so far. Bigger than 'Raajneeti', 'MINIK' & 'House Full'.
about 6 hours ago via Power Twitter
Retweeted by Beingtskfc and 41 others

taran_adarsh
'Dabangg' Overseas: Very wide release, 300+ screens incl Germany, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Egypt, Zambia, Kenya, Nigeria... contd
about 5 hours ago via Power Twitter
Retweeted by Beingtskfc and 18 others

taran_adarsh
'Dabangg' Overseas II: Will also open in Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Malawi, besides USA, UK, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Fiji.

ManishaDRatnani
Looking forward to watch Dabangg tonight with @DabbooRatnani. I can vouch that @BeingSalmanKhan is gonna deliver a blockbuster with this one
about 10 hours ago via ÜberTwitter
Retweeted by Beingtskfc and 13 others

amuarora
BLOCKBUSTER DIKH GAYA....SAB LOG KO...DABANGG MUBARAK!!
about 11 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry
Retweeted by Beingtskfc and 12 others

LuvSinha

too much work..maybe ill just paste it on the FB page DABANGG IN ONE WORD - BLOCKBUSTER -

Top All Time Worldwide Grossers Pre-Dabangg

Thursday 9th September 2010 13.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network

Dabangg is not expected to smash records overseas but it may surprise in some markets. Even if Overseas is not humungous it still is likely to make Worlwide top ten through huge business in India. Below are the top ten Worldwide grossers till date.

1. Three Idiots (2009) - 340 crore

2. Ghajini (2008) - 190 crore

3. My Name Is Khan (2010) - 183 crore

4. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) - 158 crore

5. Dhoom 2 (2006) - 150 crore

6. Om Shanti Om (2007) - 148 crore

7. Raajneeti (2010) - 143 crore

8. Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994) - 135 crore

9. Gadar (2001) - 135 crore

10. Singh Is Kinng (2008) - 125 crore

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Huge Advance For Dabangg

Thursday 9th September 2010 17.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network

Dabangg has recorded what can be called an extraordinary advance in the present box office scenario. The advance is the strongest of the year by far. Obviously due to the amount of shows and screens its not going to get 50 or 60% weekend sold out as used to happen a few years back.

Due to the huge releases advance is not really important but when a film starring a mass hero like Salman Khan whose hordes of fans normally turn up on the Friday takes a huge advance it means something big is on the cards.

In the industry Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan are mainly regarded as the advance stars as their films tend to get big block bookings as they have big following amongst the classes. Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar are the Friday stars who have the huge mass following.

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Dabangg Opens To Earth Shattering Response

Friday 10th September 2010 11.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network

Dabangg opened this morning to an earth shattering start all over despite bad weather in the North trying to play spoil sport. The first shows opened at around 9.00 am and as expected the response was simply mindboggling. Last year Three Idiots started shows as early as 6.30 am in the morning but this was not the case with Dabangg as very early morning shows have a limited turnout. The ticket rates of Dabangg have also not been hiked like for Three Idiots. Some collections from major theatres for first show are as follows.

Cinemax Thane (9.30 am) - 15,500 (100%)
Big Odeon Delhi (10.30 am) - 53,500 (100%)
Wave Raja Garden Delhi (10.15 am) - 22,100 (100%)
Wave Ludhiana (10.15am) - 38,500 (100%)
Wave Ludhiana (10.45am) - 38,500 (100%)




Wave Ludhiana is also house full for the 11.30am show. This is a very good sign as collections are huge in East Punjab which is a multiplex circuit and also a circuit where Salman Khan films tend to under perform. Wanted was weakest in Punjab compared to the rest of India. The single screen figures are likely to be like nothing seen before.

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Box Office: Salman Khan's Dabangg opens to packed houses
HETAL ADESARA 10 SEPTEMBER , 2010


MUMBAI: The Salman Khan starrer Dabangg has opened to a phenomenal response at the box office.

The movie opened to 100 per cent occupancy across single screens in India. On the other hand, in multiplexes too, the response has been heartening with approximately 80 - 100 per cent occupancy.

From the opening that the movie has taken, it is likely that Dabangg will give close competition to the opening day box office numbers of 3 Idiots. On its opening Friday, 3 Idiots did net collections of approximately Rs 130 million (Rs 13 crore) in India. It's now a matter of wait and watch to see whether Dabangg manages to break that record.

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