Opinion A flop isn’t forever

The verdict is out. Ashutosh Gowariker’s Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se is a washout. The film opened to a dismal 10-15 per cent response and went south thereafter. It’s a double knock for Gowariker after What’s Your Rashee and for the lead actor Abhishek Bachchan after the disastrous Raavan. It’s been an immensely forgettable year for Bachchan Jr. On paper his was the best lineup. A Mani Ratnam and a Gowariker film in one year is a bonanza. But Raavan and Khelein… did not live up to their pre-release buzz. The trade in fact is rating Khelein… in its all time flop list. The disappointments for Bachchan Jr. have been growing steadily. Save last year’s Paa (which was primarily Daddy’s show) and 2008’s Dostana,he’s had to contend with the unenthusiastic response to Delhi-6 and Drona as well. A section of the trade has already written him off. But I don’t think Abhishek is over. Even by a long shot. Flops are a part and parcel of a star’s life. Ultimately it all boils down to the film — whether the audience is interested in the particular story being told. Actors are just a tool to tell that story. Those who enjoy star status become the face of that story. A big advantage of having a star in the film is that they guarantee an opening. In that sense,Abhishek’s recent spate of flops is alarming because his movies are not opening well. But he’s been in the game for too long to know that all it takes is that one right role. Bollywood loves a great comeback,and in his decade-long career,Abhishek’s already had some three of those. Over the years,Abhishek has learnt to pitch his performance a certain way,and now is the time to break out and do something fun. His audience likes him best when he keeps it light. Think back to the swagger of Dus,the flamboyance of Dostana and the madness of Yuva. Maybe Dostana-2 will do the trick. Meanwhile,Abhishek’s good friend Hrithik Roshan is also in a bit of a pickle. Kites nosedived and Guzaarish also crashlanded. Though he earned critical merit for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film it did not translate into box office collections. Maybe a cape (Krrish) and a bike (Dhoom 2) is what Hrithik needs. In the coming year,we’ll see him do an Amitabh Bachchan nee Vijay Dinanath Chauhan in the Agneepath remake which is being produced by Karan Johar. If you ask me,I prefer the cape. With just a handful of releases left for this year,it’s interesting to look back at the report cards of the other leading men. Shah Rukh Khan gave a stirring performance in My Name Is Khan. Ajay Devgn made a smashing return to form with Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai and Golmaal 3. Ranbir Kapoor shone bright in Raajneeti but Anjaana Anjaani was disappointing. Aamir Khan did not have a release this year but was very much around as the jubilant producer of Peepli [Live. Shahid Kapoor underwhelmed in Badmaash Company. Akshay Kumar had a huge hit in Housefull and duds in Khatta Meetha and Action Replayy. He can still make the halfway cut with Tees Maar Khan slated for a Christmas release. Imran Khan’s I Hate Luv Storys clicked while Break Ke Baad crashed. Amitabh Bachchan’s Teen Patti and Rann went kaput. Surprisingly Saif Ali Khan had no release this year. That leaves us with Salman Khan. Well,he had Dabangg and went hud hud all the way to the bank. Salman started the year with Veer but in the thundering afterglow of Dabangg,that was forgotten. That’s Bollywood for you. Here you are as good as your last release. Abhishek and Hrithik should take heart from that.

harneet.singh@expressindia.com