LEO release: In 2023, the world of cinematic entertainment has been relatively calm compared to the topsy-turvy ride that was 2022. However, one decision made by Bollywood makers has not only revived the pan-India film segment but also highlighted their lack of clarity and creativity, both in scriptwriting and commercial aspects. This year, the week leading up to the grand festival of Vijayadashami, which fell on October 20, witnessed a cluttered release schedule with at least six to seven films from various regions hitting the screens between October 19 and 20.
On one side, Bollywood offered films like “Ganapath” and “Yaariyan 2.” Then came the popular action director, Lokesh Kanagaraj, added another installment to his famed LCU (Lokesh Cinematic Universe) with “LEO.” Shiva Rajkumar brought his multilingual flick “Ghost” to the audience, and the ever-competitive Telugu film industry had two big releases titled “Bhagavanth Kesari” and “Tiger Nageswara Rao,” the latter inspired by an actual robber with the same name. Even the Bengali film industry contributed with a unique project titled “Bagha Jatin”, based on the revolutionary with the same name.
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The reason why Bollywood seems to have scored a self goal this time is tied to the OTT issues with ‘LEO’. The release date for “LEO” on OTT is just four weeks away from its theatrical release date. In response, a few Hindi multiplex chains like PVR and Cinepolis issued an ultimatum to the movie’s producers, demanding a delay in the OTT release, or else they would not screen the film.
To everyone’s surprise, the film’s producers decided to go ahead with the OTT release but cancelled the release of the Hindi and Tamil versions in that particular multiplex chain. This bold decision has earned applause from those who believe that multiplex owners should not dictate when a film can be released on OTT platforms.
Bollywood theatres had high hopes for “Ganapath,” expecting it to become a blockbuster that would overshadow “LEO.” Yes, they actually had the audacity to think that a man like Tiger Shroff would help them trounce the challenge of Lokesh Kanagaraj! However, this gamble brutally backfired, and despite having a limited presence in the northern regions, “LEO” is sailing through with flying colors. The film managed to achieve a worldwide collection of Rs. 200 crores in just two days, despite receiving mixed reviews and not being as remarkable as the much celebrated “Vikram.”
A similar fate awaits “Bhagavanth Kesari” and “Tiger Nageswara Rao,” which have accumulated almost ten times the total collection of “Ganapath.” The latter film struggled to cross the Rs. 5 crores mark in its first two days, despite being directed by Vikas Bahl and having a massive budget comparable to “LEO”, i.e., somewhere between 150 – 200 crores. As for Divya Khosla Kumar’s “Yaariyan 2,” the sequel that none demanded, it would be best to avoid saying much, as the film failed to even strike a figure of a crore at the box office on the opening day.
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The way “LEO” bulldozed the box office, despite limited presence, and a not so great screenplay in comparison to the previous LCU instalments, proves that in the domain of films, the entertainment factor and connection with the audiences matter, something Bollywood is clearly deficient in for the past few years.
This change in the dynamics of the film industry should serve as a wake-up call to Bollywood, encouraging them to focus on creating compelling scripts and delivering meaningful cinema. As such, the month of December will ultimately decide who can stake claim to the throne of cinematic supremacy: the powerful but shortsighted Bollywood or the clumsy but innovative multilingual cinema!
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