Can Baaghi Break The Jungle Book Spell?

For the last 3 weeks author Rudyard Kipling,  director Jon Favreau and 10-year old Indian American superstar Neel Sethi have been creating havoc at the global boxoffice .

In India the film has already grossed approximately Rs 150 crores. Bollywood films which have released after The Jungle Book, including the prestigious Shah Rukh Khan starrer  Fan floundered at the turnstiles.

Would this week’s release Sabbir Khan’s Baaghi stop the Jungle Book  at the Indian boxoffice?’

Says trade analyst Taran Adarsh, “Baaghi promises entertainment in large doses and if the promos of the film are an indicator, the film should fetch an excellent start at the boxoffice. Tiger Shroff, producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Sabbir Khan team up again after the hugely successful Heropanti and that’s an advantage too. Besides, this time, there’s Shraddha Kapoor, an established actress, as Tiger’s costar and Sudheer Babu, a well known actor from Telugu films, as the antagonist. Advantage again! I am confident that the entertainment quotient plus the striking action sequences should result in a big start at the ticket window.”

Taran feels The Jungle Book  may tire itself out. “The film will enter into 4th week this Friday and a big chunk of audience has already watched the film. Having said that, The Jungle Book remains unstoppable at the BO and I am sure, it would continue to collect well, despite Baaghiopening this week.”

Adds trade analyst Amod Mehra, “The Jungle Book will complete 3 weeks uninterrupted run at the box office.So Baaghi will easily find it its audience. Opening will be good and then the content will speak.”

Atul Mohan Editor Complete Cinema observes, “Well the business of  The Jungle Book  has almost reached its run after crossing 150 cr mark. The average collection coming is around 2 cr per day. This weekend would be the last maximum it can reach. Jungle Book was more for kids and families while Baaghi is out and out youth appeal movie with current heartthrobs Tiger and Shraddha coming together for the first time and Tiger’s next after his successful launch.”

However Atul has a word of caution. “It all depends on how the youths connect with the film. The music hasn’t picked up though.The trade is expecting the film to open with big numbers.”

Opines film critic Raja Sen, “I really doubt it. I don’t think Tiger or Shradha have that kind of draw. The film might do decently if made on a lower budget, but expecting a runaway blockbuster-level success might be too optimistic. Also, Jungle Book’s 3D run is the stuff of legend, with families around India still exhilarated by the film and going for repeat viewings. Globally it may well prove to be the biggest film of 2016, beating all the superheroes.”