Bollywood industry no longer fears IPL

Thanks to the unexpectedly large success of David Dhawan’s Chashme Baddoor the fear of the Indian Premiere League (IPL) is completely exorcized from the minds of filmmakers who until recently were half-fearful of losing out a part of their audience. Chashme Baddoor has set the pace for the coming weeks. Says trade expert Komal Nahta, “Chashme Baddoor is this year’s assurance to a nervous-as-hell industry. The IPL is like a monster and the film industry needs to be assured against every year. Fears were quashed last year when Housefull 2 proved a hit right in the middle of the IPL.” Trade pundit Taran Adarsh says, “Biwi No.1, Jannat, Housefull series and now Chashme Baddoor have worked during the cricket season. IPL is no longer a threat to a good film. If the content is strong a film can withstand any opposition.” Producer Ram Mirchandani agrees, “Last year during the IPL Housefull 2 did Rs 110 crores’ worth business and Vicky Donor did Rs 48 crores. During another IPL season Chalo Dilli had done fabulous business. I think the IPL ceased to be a threat to cinema after the first two years of its existence. They can comfortably co-exist.” Adds distributor and trade pundit Suniel Wadhwa, “Since Jannat in 2008 the IPL has ceased to affect the film business provided the content is good. Films would do badly irrespective of the IPL if the content is bad. A recent case in point is Himmatwala.” Producer Vipul Mehta whose high-octane action film Commando releases this week says he is confident cricket and cinema can co-exist. “I was confident that the IPL cannot break a film if it has the potential to draw in the audience. In Europe movies do well even during the European League Football. The only sporting event that is a threat to the movies is the Soccer World Cup. And with due respects the IPL does not generate the same fan frenzy as the Cricket World Cup, let alone the European League Football or the Soccer World Cup.” Vipul feels the IPL incites more provincial passion than a nationwide frenzy. “Attendance in cinemas may suffer somewhat in the specific city where the IPL is played. But nothing more. The IPL is not like the Cricket World Cup. I had released my Namaste London during the World Cup. And it is my biggest hit.” However Vipul admits that the success of Chashme Baddoor augurs well for the box office in the coming weeks. “Any success is a good sign. That Chashme Baddoor was the first film to successfully take on the IPL season just goes to prove that there is room for cricket and cinema in the Indian citizens’ life. Give them an entertaining film and they’ll tear themselves away from the game long enough to enjoy a film.”