“It’s easy to criticize a film like Kambakkht Ishq”

“It’s easy to criticize a film like Kambakkht Ishq” – Kareena Kapoor

Gorilla |

64 | July 28, 2009 at 5:17 am | 84 views | NaachGaana Bol| Share

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Kambakkht Ishq arrived, got ripped apart by critics, made it’s crores, enjoyed it’s celebrations and is now being followed by the release of other big films like Love Aaj Kal and Kaminey. With the euphoria surrounding the release of the film dying down over last few weeks and an all around stability coming in, Kareena Kapoor comes out smiling.

“Whatever I have would have said earlier would have seemed as if I was defending the movie. But then that was never the case. Why would I have done that when box office was the biggest defender of all? Audiences came in dozens to watch the film and they made the movie a success. Even though it may not be the quintessential super-duper blockbuster Bollywood hit but a very good success it certainly is and collections pretty much prove that”, says Kareena who is now looking forward to the release of Saif Ali Khan’s Love Aaj Kal which releases this Friday.

In retrospection, doesn’t she feel surprised with the way media came down heavily on the film? Sighs Kareena, “But then isn’t a film like Kambakkht Ishq an easy movie to criticize? If one looks in the recent past, most Akshay (Kumar) films have seen a similar response from critics as well as box office. Look at Welcome or Singh Is Kinng; critics disliked them both but audiences had their own mind.”

“Akshay is perhaps one of the only stars who has been party to such a consistent run with critics as well his audiences, both of whom seem to be on different sides of the fence”, she smiles.

Even for Kareena, this is not the first time though that one of her films went on to become a big money spinner in spite of coming under the hammer. Last year, there was not a single critic who stood up to Rohit Shetty directed Golmaal Returns but the film made mega bucks after taking a thunderous initial.

“I guess by working in films like Omkara or Jab We Met and a Golmaal Returns or Kambakkht Ishq, I am striking just the right balance. It’s okay when critics do not like Kambakkht Ishq or Golmaal Returns; there are some films that are made purely for the audiences and they succeed there. Critics may be having an individualistic opinion while audiences always come together with a collective verdict. It’s a matter of choice at the end of the day, so it’s all fine”, she reasons.

Coming months should be indeed exciting for her as it would be there for all to see if critics as well as audiences warm up to her performance. Starting with Qurbaan, she would also be seen in Main Aur Mrs. Khanna as well as 3 Idiots.

Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor went on and on when their Kambakkht Ishq was released, about how huge a hit it was. Of course, the collections were in contradiction to their comments but they were in no mood to see reason. Finally, many weeks after the film was pronounced a flop by the trade, Kareena reportedly admitted in an interview that the film had failed

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There Are 64 Responses So Far. »

Gorilla 28 July 2009
05:20:45 am

Kareena is dot-on on Akshay and KI.

Gorilla 28 July 2009
05:25:51 am

I always believed that Akshay is the only star whose Boxoffice and star status is unperturbed by critics and their sayings. He defies all odds, claims his films to be brainless entertainer pre-release, gets appreciated by critics but find his films being panned and in the end generates an extra-ordinary Box Office opening thereby making films profitable and his super stardom intact.

Gorilla 28 July 2009
05:31:20 am

‘“Whatever I have would have said earlier would have seemed as if I was defending the movie. But then that was never the case. Why would I have done that when box office was the biggest defender of all? Audiences came in dozens to watch the film and they made the movie a success. Even though it may not be the quintessential super-duper blockbuster Bollywood hit but a very good success it certainly is and collections pretty much prove that”, says Kareena’

Tango 28 July 2009
05:54:14 am

Its true, KI aside media does not have the guts to touch certain stars and even their ordinary movies.

Dum nahi hai, even bade bade scribes mein.

ritz 28 July 2009
05:55:13 am

“It’s easy to criticize a film like Kambakkht Ishq” – its even easier to make such lousy film if you have money.

Tango 28 July 2009
05:57:41 am

Abhi dekh lena Love Aaj Kal ke case mein (mind you I’m waiting for it for a while) it will be a perfect movie because sab par lakhon ke ad gaye hain.

That is to say, Love Aaj Kal is likely to be a very good movie, but no movie is flawless, to uske genuine drawbacks kisi ko bhi nahi dikhenge.

Tango 28 July 2009
06:00:40 am

“It’s easy to criticize a film like Kambakkht Ishq” – its even easier to make such lousy film if you have money.”

No it is not so many GOOD makers have tried to make mainstream commercial cinema but failed.

Prakash Jha and Nagesh Kukunoor are the two examples that come to my mind.

ACHILLES 28 July 2009
06:44:04 am

Lets hope LAK and Kaminey turn out to be more than producer-sponsored ‘biggest opener’ or ‘one week hit’ planted bedtime stories.

This has been a horrid year with just one hit in New York, bollywood cud do with a few more.

Gorilla 28 July 2009
07:23:17 am

Indeed Tango. It is not easy to make a successful commercial film.

aside, even the anti KI camp are not calling KI a below average now. This is a success for NG’s relentless campaign to bring out the truth. KI’s success will be relished more in days to come.

ritz 28 July 2009
07:33:25 am

Gorilla..which all due respect to you. Blue and De dhana dan will see whether audience really liked KI or they felt cheated.
And yes, its easy to make successful film these days. Just call the film successful within 3 days of release without worrying about paying public (and calling them naysayers and what not). That’s it.

Gorilla 28 July 2009
07:54:38 am

Post KI, Akshay’s films are looking brighter than ever.

Blue – Hit (75Cr)
De Dhana Dhan – Blockbuster (95 Cr)

(All as per Abid’s report)

ACHILLES 28 July 2009
08:12:51 am

Gorilla – you never understood the point at all … so it is understandable that you feel everything against your god-star is a hate campaign or naysayers or whatnot.

When numbers indicated a 33 cr opening, no one at NG said its a poor opening … when KI is ending its run around 45 cr no one is callling it a flop.

If you had indeed read the comments on the film, it was about a scam (which by now is an established fact everywhere when in the dodgy glamsham site).

As for prdictions we have read a lot about CCTC doing 100 cr, Tasveer doing 50 cr, KI doing 70 cr and whatnot – Akshay had proved everyone wrong too many times by now.

Even Ritz’s conservative prediction of KI doing 55 cr has turned out to be an over-estimation.

Nonetheless, Akshay fans celebrating an average runner (respite from his string of flops) so enthusiastically does indicate the rough ride of Akshay post-SIK.

rks 28 July 2009
08:48:49 am

I agree with Kareena’s statement but it is a partial statement. Most of the time It is easy to criticize these movies but such movies mask their shortcomings with box office success. A movie which is looking for quantity is most likely going to be low on quality. In case of KI, it was targetting quantity (nothing worng in that), so people criticizing it for quality is obvious. But the problem with KI is that it was not big enough success to mask it short comings.

Sometime back I stated wrt D6 “I would say the movie promise was 5 but it achieved something like 2. But it is not correct to compare with a masala genre movie rating where the promise is 1 and even if you achieve 1, it is lower than the former in absolute sense.”.

Rocky 28 July 2009
09:14:47 am

Re.-Kareena is dot-on on Akshay and KI.

I second that Gorilla !!

sv 28 July 2009
09:22:16 am

The critics had overreacted.Yes,the film is average in quality.I think Blue,de dana dhan will have more quality.
After 2006 Akshay has 5 hits and 1 semhit to hit till now.So yes Akshay’s supporters will be happy.
I will predict 100-120 crores for Blue.
The second half of KI is quite good.Critics like Rajeev Masand are giving publicity to MNIK which puts their credibilty into doubt.

neelu 28 July 2009
09:22:20 am

Kareena is right – thus every one can have fun ripping apart KI, but who (in mainstream media) has the guts to even look critically at A Wednesday, MMJ, Aamir etc? We are so enamored with the fact that these are small non-commercial films! If it was that easy to make a commercial film and have it be successful (average plus – isn’t that the definition of success), then why would D6, Jaaneman, Tasveer, Drona, fail?

Tango 28 July 2009
09:39:47 am

True Rocky, Neelu and others.

As you all will remember, I loved and recommended AMIR to all of you, but the opening shot of being searched at the security for being an Amnir and not an Amar, is plain stupid.

I am not being diplomatic and there may be a few instances, because all kinds make this world, but that does not represent the scenario at every airport in India. Personally I have not experienced anything of that sort during my dozen or so airport security checks.

But the thing is AMIR is a critically acclaimed film, so kisme dum hai ki boley, aisa nahi hota and it was a poor scene (and acinematic liberty) in an otherwise brilliant movie.

ACHILLES 28 July 2009
09:42:59 am

“In case of KI, it was targetting quantity (nothing wrong in that), so people criticizing it for quality is obvious. But the problem with KI is that it was not big enough success to mask it short comings.”

well said … sabbir wasnt looking for critical acclaim in the first place … so critics liking it or thrashing it is not the point … a movie mounted on this lavish scale is aimed to make money … the makers/distributors were at least expecting a 70 cr minimally … 45 cr is not enough in anyway to call it a hit or throw party and scream as loud as one can.

the initial here saved the movie from a total washout, if that is any condolences for the ardent supporters. Unless Akshay can deliver a few hits, its going to be very difficult from here.

And more than anything, with the KI scam out in the open by a part of the media, its Akshay’s personal image that has taken a severe beating for his dishonesty.

Rocky 28 July 2009
09:54:08 am

well said Tango.

Tango 28 July 2009
09:59:42 am

Thanks Rocky. I have always said what I believe is correct.

Agar mere saath aisa hota to woh bolne ki bhi himmat main rakhta hoon. But the fact is it never happened.

Tango 28 July 2009
10:01:42 am

Par chalo chodo.

Tum bolo, kya chal raha hai?

Tango 28 July 2009
10:05:11 am

BTW- Samajwadi party MP has objected to “Kahan Rahja Bhoj, Kahan Gangu Teli.”

Mayawati par Aaja Nachley ka counter mara hai.

Som 28 July 2009
10:07:00 am

Could not have disagreed more. Rather poor excuses to come in defense of Kambakkhat Ishq. I can understand about critics ripping apart the film, what about the audiences Miss Kareena??Why did they reject the film? You come across as sour grapes, living in denial that your film could not able to pull the audiences in to the theaters after the opening weekend despite all those malicious/false Box office propaganda.

neelu 28 July 2009
10:14:09 am

“despite all those malicious/false Box office propaganda.” Som – is all such propaganda malicious? I remember certain blogs talking of other film BO and also cutting 200 cr cake with fanfare. Why the term malicious in this particular case?

Rocky 28 July 2009
10:14:40 am

Hey Tango/RKS/SOM what is Autumn season called in hindi??

ritz 28 July 2009
10:14:56 am

Leave it Som, ye loga nahi samajte. Jinhone picture “HIT” karaya paisa kharch karke…uniko gaali dete..naysayer naysayer bolke.

I am watching “Angrez” – a hyderbadi filim. Has anyone seen this ..I cant stop laughing.

Tango 28 July 2009
10:16:19 am

Patjhad saawan basant bahar.

Ek baras mein mausan char.

I think its patjhad.

Som 28 July 2009
10:17:45 am

“Hemanta”, Rocky!

Tango 28 July 2009
10:18:31 am

In urdu it must be Khizaan

“Khizaan ke phool pe aati nahi bahaar kabhi”

Tango 28 July 2009
10:19:19 am

Ritz have you seen Hyderabad Nawab?

rks 28 July 2009
10:19:53 am

Rocky – Link for general translation

Autumn

Tango 28 July 2009
10:22:21 am

Neelu- ““despite all those malicious/false Box office propaganda.” Som – is all such propaganda malicious? I remember certain blogs talking of other film BO and also cutting 200 cr cake with fanfare. Why the term malicious in this particular case?”

Neelu ji I remember all those claims of 200 crore from the makers a couple of years back. Though I have those ads, I will not stoop that low to put a scan.

That was indeed my point abt taht Sakaal Time article. Sab ko mention karo.

Som 28 July 2009
10:24:30 am

The early part of Autumn season is called “Sharad” and the latter part “Hemanta” ritu.

Rocky 28 July 2009
10:26:58 am

Thanks guys! My friend’s ( mallu) daughter is at DPS and had this as her home work. he called me thinkink I will know.

Som 28 July 2009
10:27:48 am

Neelu,If you are hinting at Ghajini’s celebration party where they claimed something like 200cr which I thought was fictional but the point is two wrongs don’t make a right. Since this topic was on KI, my comment had to be on its box office. Moreover it is a blasphemy to compare the collections of Ghajini with KI, former was an accepted film while the latter has been rejected, finding it tough to even cross 50cr.

ritz 28 July 2009
10:28:03 am

Ah ab samjha Neelu ka point…isme bhi Aamir angle….

“Why the term malicious in this particular case?”

Simple Neelu..because ppl were gung-ho abt Ghajini and they very much liked it and they didnt like KI – they rejected it. In case of Ghajini nobody cared what was the number on cake and who was cutting it(as much as u do care for such things). Here in case of KI they had to project it – as nobody liked the movie.

Tango 28 July 2009
10:31:31 am

If my days in Allahabad serve me right, sharad ritu is winter.

Tango 28 July 2009
10:33:09 am

Ritz Neelu is not talking abt Ghajini if I’m not mistaken.

But will stand corrected if I’m wrong.

Som 28 July 2009
10:33:22 am

Winter is “Sisira”.

neelu 28 July 2009
10:33:53 am

Ritz, my world is not black and white. I mentioned some blog discussions on success too, which you and Som conveniently ignored. Anyway – two wrongs never make a right, but when we chastize using terms like malicious, which IMHO are excessive, we should try to fold in all offenders. And I am no fan of KI either, unlike some here.

ACHILLES 28 July 2009
10:34:09 am

Difference between KI and Ghajini?

One is scam/propaganda … other was a box-office bonanza!

RNBDJ worldwide gross was claimed to be 180 cr and
Ghajini’s 230 cr – both movies had the numbers to substantiate those claims … KI dont have the numbers to support producer’s 55 cr claim!

neelu 28 July 2009
10:35:47 am

Like I said – this still conveniently ignores other examples.

Tango 28 July 2009
10:37:06 am

Neelu- “And I am no fan of KI either”

Same here. In fact I said it the day I watched it that I did not like it, just like I said for Billu.

Tango 28 July 2009
10:38:23 am

But there have been examples where makers have taken expensive ads in Trade Magazines claiming thrice what it earned.

ritz 28 July 2009
10:46:47 am

Winter is “Shishir” in marathi – not sure what it is called in Hindi.
Yes Tango, Hyderabadi Nawab

ACHILLES 28 July 2009
10:48:10 am

Let me be precise (as usual) instead of dodgy comments (as usual) … Tango wants to intriduce ‘Krrish’ into the debate?

I too have seen Filmkraft’s official posters claiming 175 cr worldwide. What Rakesh did later clarify in his interviews at that time was that was total earnings from all revenues.

Even KI did that (the 100 cr claim had 10 cr for digital rights or something).

Krrish did around 145 cr worldwide gross from box-office itself imo … it always had the numbers. The remaining came from other revenues and successful merchandising.

But essentially the scam of KI was the ridiculous 42 cr Net claim (as per their own breakups) in week 1 … numbers indicates 33 cr (a deficit of 9-10 cr) … when had such dishonesty been at display before?

Its not futile, but ridiculous trying to equate KI scam with say a Ghajini or Krrish.

Tango 28 July 2009
10:49:26 am

Ok yes Ritz, I saw a few glimpses of Hyderabadi Nawab on news channels and it was quite hilarious.

The program was basically talking abt how regional films are now a potent force.

Tango 28 July 2009
10:51:01 am

Have you seen it Ritz?

Basically even during the craze for Pakistani serials the ones I enjoyed were Omar Sharif programs like Bakar Kishto Par.

neelu 28 July 2009
10:53:54 am

I was not even talking of Krrish! And maybe 42 cr nett was India and overseas? All revenues? Unless they claim India and theatrical only, how is this malicious?

Tango 28 July 2009
10:57:05 am

Neelu , what are your views on the craze for Pakistani TV serials when DD was the only source of entertainment.

They were quite well made but I never had the patience to sit for 6-7 hours at a stretch.

ritz 28 July 2009
11:08:04 am

Yes Tango, watching Angrez – Hyderabadi Nawab for the first time. No idea about Pakistani serials.

Tango 28 July 2009
11:11:29 am

I can gauge that you are quite young for the Pakistani serial craze days. That was 1987-1991 days. After that the sattelite channels took over.

Som 28 July 2009
11:13:56 am

Have heard good things about Hyderabadi Nawab, Ritz. I guess few of NG members, perhaps Q is one of them who have seen the film and found it quite hilarious.Can I get it on some torrent site?

neelu 28 July 2009
11:14:17 am

I never saw any Tango! Were they good?

ritz 28 July 2009
11:15:35 am

Som…
You can watch some parts on youtube.

Tango 28 July 2009
11:18:08 am

I saw just one. It was Afshan or something abt a certain Dr. Ahmar. Yeah it was good but tested my patience at times.

Never tried any other after that. They were time consuming and one had to keep a lot of incidents and characters in mind.

rks 28 July 2009
11:22:41 am

Neelu – Search on youtube “Bakra qiston”

ps: My wife revisited them couple of weeks back.

neelu 28 July 2009
11:23:54 am

Thanks rks – will check it out.

ACHILLES 28 July 2009
04:22:30 pm

Neelu – just to refresh some memories … producer claim on KI first week is 100 cr week 1 with explicit break up:

70 cr domestc gross collections in india with 42 cr Net.
21 cr overseas gross (Net not mentioned)
10 cr from other revenues

I never said ‘malicious’ or ‘evil’ .. its nothing but claim dishonesty to throw a perception of a ‘hit’.

Cud you please name another movie that claimed 10 cr ‘extra’ as nett collections in week 1?

neelu 28 July 2009
06:22:39 pm

Maybe the producers are bad with numbers and just decided to go with the BO maven Taran Adarsh?

RAJ 30 July 2009
05:36:25 am

I dont understand why we are wasting so much time for KI…Its quite clear now that the movie has dissapeared from the theatres in its third week itself(No successful movie does that)…Its very clear now that Akshay and his gang lied to the public…Its very clear that some of the trade experts are being purchased by the PR machinery to make its a perception hit(Some exteemed experts included)…

KI would be remebered for its BO scdam rather than its BO success…Akshays’s fall from grace(Due to his dishonesty)…

Now people here predicting fancy numbers for Blue and de dhana dan should remenbered that Indian public is very particular about image of a star..And Akshay should realise that more than anythingelse its his image which has taken a severe beating due to his dishonesty with the audince…Rest everything is inconsequantial…

RAJ 30 July 2009
05:38:52 am

Secondly i would urge fellow NG members to come up with BO figures when they can substantiate it with numbers as Achillies,Rudresh,RKS and som are doing..Else its a futile exercise and debate..

RAJ 30 July 2009
05:42:07 am

“”"Even for Kareena, this is not the first time though that one of her films went on to become a big money spinner in spite of coming under the hammer”"

Much ado about nothing…

Kareen in her 9 year career have given 2/3 hits…so what is she talking about…??? Sopme claim her as no on what basis..

Does she have the BO figures to back it up or any figure(Size zero) for that matter…

Som 30 July 2009
05:58:45 am

I don’t claim any numbers nor have any methodology, Raj. Whatever guys like Rudresh, Ach. and Rks do, I just make myself indulged in the discussions related to their estimates.If we want these guys to come up with anything close to accurate estimates, we need to participate and work towards making their methodologies grow better with time. I certainly don’t take any number/estimate which has not been substantiated with some methodology and reasoning.

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