Entertainment
Lights, camera, little action: ‘Bell Bottom’, ‘Chehre’ yet to pull crowds

Two back-to-back big releases — Akshay Kumar’s ‘Bell Bottom’ and the Amitabh Bachchan star vehicle, ‘Chehre’, both well-received by critics — may have buoyed the spirits of film exhibitors, but their box-office collections have been far from encouraging.
‘Bell Bottom’, which was released on August 19, according to trade analysts, has grossed Rs 18.55 crore till date. Compare this with the Rs 64.99 crore collected in its opening weekend by ‘Good Newzz’ (with Diljit Dosanjh), Akshay’s last film before the first nationwide Covid-19 lockdown. And that was far less than the extended opening weekend earnings — Rs 97.56 crore — of the other big 2019 film, ‘Mission Mangal’.
A number of factors have contributed to this significant drop in earnings: cinema theatres are still under lockdown in Mumbai and Pune, depriving Bollywood of 25 per cent of its revenues; the requirement in a number of malls for patrons to produce double vaccination certificates before being allowed in, which is affecting attendance in theatres located in malls; and, significantly, the closure of 1,500 single screens across India because of the pandemic-induced economic stress.
On ‘Chehre’, which opened on Friday, the analysts were not very bullish about box-office figures. Karan Taurani of Elara Capital predicted that it would make a “lifetime collection” of Rs 5-6 crore because of its “niche” storyline that only a “discerning audience” would appreciate.
Taurani also pointed out that collections have been low because of “very low occupancy in morning shows and night shows not being allowed”. He also blamed the low occupancies forced by social distancing norms being in force. Also, over the last eight days, barring this past Sunday, which did see a spike in Delhi as a result of Raksha Bandhan festivities, attendance in theatres was at an all-time low across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Exhibitors, however, are cautiously optimistic about their business coming back to life, even if partially, because of ‘Bell Bottom’ and ‘Chehre’.
Gautam Dutta, CEO, PVR Limited, said in a conversation with IANS: “Post the reopening of cinemas after the second wave, ‘Bell Bottom’ was the first big Bollywood movie to have hit the big screen. And it has done reasonably well within the restrictions in capacity, show limitations and weekend closures.”
He also emphasised the lockdown still in place for cinema theatres in “major markets such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.”
The sentiment was share by Rajender Singh Jyala, Chief Programming Officer, INOX Leisure.
Speaking to IANS, he said: “We have always said that the industry needed a couple of mass entertainers to kick off the recovery process, and we are glad that these have arrive and are doing phenomenally well, despite the restrictions.”
“We positively hope that the momentum built by the fantastic response to ‘Bell Bottom’ in the week gone by, and the hype around ‘Chehre’, would mark the onset of our revival journey.”
For Dutta, more than the initial numbers, it is the momentum that matters. He said to IANS: “We are encouraged by the release of the long-awaited ‘Chehre’ today. Hope this will encourage producers from the Bollywood fraternity to announce their big films for theatrical release and get movie-goers back to cinemas.”
Bollywood
Varun Dhawan: One must travel to learn

Mumbai, June 3: Actor Varun Dhawan stressed that travel is essential for gaining knowledge and life experience.
The actor took to Instagram, where he shared three pictures from the airport. The first was an image of the actor posing inside the airport with the airplane docked. The other was of him at the same location but this time his back was towards the camera as he looked at the aircraft. The third was a closeup image of him as he made his way inside the flight.
“One must travel to learn,” Varun wrote as the caption.
A few days ago, Varun wrapped up the Scotland schedule of his upcoming project ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’.
Sharing the professional update on social media, Varun penned, “It’s a schedule wrap for us here in Scotland on #haijawaanitohishqhonahai. So many days everyone pulling together to make this happen. Bringing u all the laughs soon. Now back home.”
The post also included some fun moments of the “Badlapur’ actor in Scotland with his co-stars Mrunal Thakur, Mouni Roy, Chunkey Panday and Pooja Hegde.
The title “Hain Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hain” is inspired by the song “Ishq Sona Hai” from “Biwi No.1.” starring Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Sushmita Sen. The 1999 drama was helmed by David Dhawan, who is also directing Varun’s next.
“Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai” is reported to have the charm of classic 90s rom-coms.
Varun also has Shashank Khaitan’s “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.” Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Abhinav Sharma, Maniesh Paul, and Manini Chadha are also a part of the project’s pivotal cast.
Furthermore, Varun also had “Border 2”, which is being made under the direction of Anurag Singh. He will be co-starring Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty in the highly-anticipated sequel.
Bollywood
Mohit Suri calls ‘Saiyaara’ an ode to his favourite love stories

Mumbai, May 31: Director Mohit Suri, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming film ‘Saiyaara’, has called it an homage to the love stories that he has grown up loving.
Mohit is known for his musical hits like ‘Zeher’, ‘Kalyug’, ‘Woh Lamhe’, the cult-classic ‘Awarapan’ and the blockbuster ‘Aashiqui 2’.
While all the aforementioned films were made under the banner of Vishesh Films, with ‘Saiyaara’, Mohit has moved into the territory of Yash Raj Films.
‘Saiyaara’ brings together YRF and Mohit, both known for creating timeless romances for an intense love story, and introduces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda (of ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ fame) as the next YRF heroine.
Talking about the film, Mohit said, “I feel you can tell so many beautiful stories and take people along so many journeys and celebrate so many emotions but romantic genre is always special. ‘Saiyaara’ is my homage to the love stories I love and the sweeping romances that I have come across through my life. I have been fortunate to have met so many people who have been kind enough to share their incredible love stories with me”.
He further mentioned, “I’m delighted to see this unanimous response to the teaser of ‘Saiyaara’. I’m thrilled for Ahaan and Aneet. They deserve all the love because they have really put in everything for people to connect so deeply with the teaser of ‘Saiyaara’. I share this moment with my incredible team and everyone at YRF. I hope people keep engaging and connecting with ‘Saiyaara’ as we peel every layer of emotion, every season of love through our marketing campaign”.
Produced by YRF, ‘Saiyaara’ is set to release in cinemas on July 18, 2025.
Hollywood
Jackie Chan quips he’ll be ‘100-years-old’ making ‘Rush Hour 4’

Los Angeles, May 29: Legendary action star Jackie Chan, who is reprising his role for “Karate Kid: Legends”, has finally opened up about the the long-gestating “Rush Hour 4”, for which he assured he’s still interested in reuniting with co-star Chris Tucker, more than 25 years after the original.
He told Media: “I don’t know. Ask the director, ask the studio, ask the writer. Hurry up! Otherwise, Chris Tucker and me (will be) 100 years old. We’ll be old men doing Rush Hour.”
In 2017, Chan said he and Tucker had finally agreed on a script for Rush Hour 4, reports deadline.com.
The pair previously starred together in director Brett Ratner’s Rush Hour in 1998, Rush Hour 2 in 2001 and Rush Hour 3 in 2007, which earned a combined $850 million worldwide.
Additionally, Chan said: “I want to do” a followup to Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights, which will be titled Shanghai Dawn.
“The script is still going on,” he said.
Back in 2016, Chan and Owen Wilson were developing another Shanghai Noon sequel for MGM with Jared Hess attached to direct, from a story by Miles Millar and Alfred Gough and a script by Theodore Riley and Aaron Buchsbaum.
“Rush Hour” focusses on two cops from different cultures, who cannot stand each other, team up to save the kidnapped 11-year-old daughter of a diplomat. With time running out, they must nab the criminals and save the girl.
Talking about ‘Karate Kid: Legends,’ Jackie Chan has returned to the Karate Kid franchise after a 15-year hiatus, reprising his iconic role as Mr. Han in the new installment.
Unlike previous chapters set in China, this sequel takes place in the vibrant streets of New York City, where Mr. Han’s path crosses once again with Daniel LaRusso, portrayed once more by Ralph Macchio.
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