Year-end Bollywood releases expected to bring cheer to box office

While Bollywood had its share of highs and lows this year, the box office is just a few Fridays away from closing the year.

With four big releases lined up, the box office is expecting a lot from these big-budget movies. So, will 2.0, Zero⁠, Kedarnath⁠ and Simmba rewrite the record books?

According to analysts ,these films should at least make Rs 250 crore each. The first to hit theatres is Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar starrer 2.0 which is releasing on November 29. Made on a huge budget of close to Rs 500 crore, the film is also the first Indian sci-fi action film to be shot entirely in 3D.

"Rajinikanth and Shankar have always made hit films together and the film is the sequel to Robot, which people loved. Having Akshay Kumar in the star cast gives the film a pan-India appeal. Moreover, the 15 dubbed versions of the film also gives it a mileage and the film should definitely rock the box office and should cross Rs 200 crore in the initial 2-3 days itself just on the basis of the hype that has already been created around the film," said film trade analyst Atul Mohan.

The next in line is Abhishek Kapoor's Kedarnath featuring Sushant Singh Rajput and debutante Sara Ali Khan in the lead roles. Most of the hype around the film is about Saif Ali Khan's daughter who is debuting with the film. “Not a very high budgeted film, Kedarnath has the potential to do well and has less competition to face because the next release is only on December 21,” said another expert from the industry.

The December 21 release doesn't just stand the chance to make pots of money for the box office but also turn around the career of the actor in the lead, which is none other than Shah Rukh Khan.

Aanand L. Rai's Zero is said to be the film that would ultimately decide if SRK has managed to make a successful comeback after his last three flicks failed to creat magic at the box office.

“Zero has one of the highest number of viewers for its trailers if compared to other trailers released this year. We are hoping that Shah Rukh has made a smart choice with Zero and the film will make at least Rs 250 crore,” added Mohan.

Still basking in the glory of his wedding, Ranveer Singh will be hoping Simmba strikes gold at the box office. Simmba will be Sara's second release of the year. Directed by Rohit Shetty and produced by Dharma Productions, the film is scheduled to release on December 28.

Analysts are hopeful that the year will close with lots of money for the box office just like it did with Tiger Zinda Hai released last year that released on December 22 and grossed close to Rs 500 crore.