The second half of 2017 looks much promising as compared to first half of the year due to several big releases like Jab Harry Met Sejal, Toilet Ek Prem Katha, Judwaa 2, Golmaal Again, Padmavati and finally, Tiger Zinda Hai. Both Salman Khan and Aamir Khan have breached past the Rs 300 crore mark twice in their career, however this year, the industry has struggled to even cross the Rs 100 crore mark at the Box Office. The highest grossing film of the year so far, Raees (Rs 133 crore) is not even a hit and the same speaks volumes about the state of our film industry.
As mentioned above, the calendar is full of big films in the second half of 2017, however, it seems that the industry might have to wait till the arrival of Salman Khan’s Tiger Zinda Hai in December to get its first Rs 200 crore grosser of the year. While Jab Harry Met Sejal, Toilet Ek Prem Katha, Golmaal Again and Padmavati are sure to make an entry in the Rs 100 crore club, they would depend on many other factors to sail past the Rs 200 crore mark at the Box Office.
On the flip side, Tiger Zinda Hai is a sequel to 2012 Blockbuster, Ek Tha Tiger which collected approximately Rs 188 crore at the Box Office. Salman Khan’s presence in an action film along with the power of Tiger Franchise and Christmas holiday should ensure not just a record breaking start at the ticket window, but also an easy entry in the Rs 200 crore club.
The failure of Tubelight would have no impact on the stardom of Salman Khan who has dominated the industry since 2010 and consistently delivered blockbusters year after year. While Rs 200 crore is bare minimum expected from the Salman Khan starrer, if the film manages to live to the hype and expectations, it would certainly enter the Rs 300 crore club and be the 9th Blockbuster for Salman Khan this decade. His run since 2010 is one of the best ever in the history of Bollywood.
There is a section of media who have attempted to write off Salman Khan after Tubelight debacle, but one must remember that he made a massive comeback after Jai Ho under-performed at the Box Office by delivering the second highest grossing film of all time, Kick.
Also read: Salman Khan’s Tiger Zinda Hai is based on a real story. Read details
The industry has high hopes from Tiger Zinda Hai as that’s the only film this year that comes with the ‘bonafide blockbuster’ tag. It would be interesting to see if Salman Khan and Ali Abbas Zafar deliver yet again after Sultan.
