'Talaash' -- the aftermath!

Aamir Khan. Salman Khan. Shah Rukh Khan. The three Khans enjoy tremendous fame, popularity and fan following across the globe, which explains why their films are looked forward to with enthusiasm. Aamir's acting career took a backseat when he decided to focus on producing a string of hi-concept films in the intervening period [PEEPLI [LIVE], DHOBI GHAT and DELHI BELLY]. Sure, the actor appeared as the second lead in DHOBI GHAT, besides making an appearance in a song in DELHI BELLY, but post 3 IDIOTS, Hindi cinema's biggest hit so far, TALAASH is his first full-fledged role after almost three years. 

Aamir is known to set new benchmarks [GHAJINI was the first Hindi film to cross the 100 cr mark]. His track record at the BO is unbeatable [3 IDIOTS continues to be the biggest grosser ever]. His name is synonymous with qualitative films… Three prime reasons why everyone expected TALAASH to deliver big time at the BO. So has TALAASH lived up to those lofty expectations? 

First things first! Let's not compare TALAASH with 3 IDIOTS. Let's not compare it with EK THA TIGER or JAB TAK HAI JAAN either [a section of the viewers seems to be doing so!]. They belong to different genres. Expecting TALAASH to break the record set by Aamir himself [with 3 IDIOTS] would be foolhardy. TALAASH caters to a niche audience. It's more of a multiplex film. Also, suspense thrillers have their limitations as far as BO revenue is concerned. You can compare DABANGG 2 and CHENNAI EXPRESS, hardcore masala films both, with EK THA TIGER. But you *cannot* compare TALAASH with DABANGG 2, CHENNAI EXPRESS or EK THA TIGER. 

A section of the movie-going audience is of the opinion that Aamir shouldn't have consented to do a film like TALAASH. Why, may I ask? Should actors be limiting themselves to mindless entertainers? Doesn't Aamir have a right to do the kind of cinema he feels is appropriate for him? Every actor has his/her reasons for accepting a film assignment. The naysayers may label their choices regressive [JAB TAK HAI JAAN] or an easy route to attain success [DABANGG 2], but we must respect the decisions of SRK and Salman. Also Aamir. 

In the 1980s, when the Bachchan era was at its peak, Amitabh Bachchan had his four favorites -- Ramesh Sippy, Manmohan Desai, Prakash Mehra and Yash Chopra -- but he took time out of his busy schedule to do films for Hrishikesh Mukherjee. While the films helmed by Chopra, Sippy, Desai and Mehra would fetch astronomical prices from distributors, the ones directed by Hrishi-da would be sold for one-third or one-fourth of the price because the distribution fraternity as well as the aam aadmi knew that Hrishi-da's films were in a different space altogether. No one compared ABHIMAAN, JURMANA or ALAAP with ZANJEER, SHOLAY, DEEWAAR or AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY then. So why are we making such ludicrous comparisons now? 

TALAASH, like I pointed out earlier, is more of a multiplex film and will have to rely on the revenue generated from the plexes mainly. The film has comfortably crossed Rs 50 crores in 4 days on the sheer strength of its multiplex business. It's faring exceptionally well in Overseas too and if it sustains in its second weekend, it should be a safe bet for Reliance, its producers and of course, Aamir. 

The BO records could be shattered later!