Good show in Q1 sets the tone for Bollywood; major upcoming releases may earn close to Rs 2,800 cr

The Indian film industry has a reason to cheer as Bollywood kitty saw strong revenues in the first quarter of this year.

Hindi movies in total reported a revenue of Rs 1,103 crore, a 42 percent jump in growth over the first quarter of 2017. While the first three months of this year have been profitable, the new releases in the coming months show promise, too.

18 major films expected to hit theatres this year could earn up to Rs 2,800 crore. Wondering of that is a tall ask? It won’t be as big movies alone earned Rs 900 crore by the end of the first quarter this year.

The big-ticket films expected to release this year include Salman Khan-starrer Race 3 along with a multi-star cast film which is still untitled, which could rake in Rs 300 crore, according to budget expectations by Bollywood news portal Koimoi.

Made at a budget of Rs 100 crore, Race 3 is set for a release on June 15.

Bollywood’s Queen, Kangana Ranuat, this year has a period film to offer to her audiences called Manikarnika which is likely to collect Rs 150 crore at the box office. The film is reportedly made at a budget of Rs 80 crore. Post the failure of her last release, Simran, there were speculations that the budget for Manikarnika was slashed by 50 percent.

Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif-starrer Thugs of Hindostan may amass Rs 400 crore at the domestic box office and the makers of the film are betting big on overseas collections as well. The film is likely to have a simultaneous release in both India and China where Aamir Khan films have surpassed all expectations in terms of collections.

Akshay Kumar began 2018 with Padman that earned Rs 78.22 crore and his next offering Gold is likely to add Rs 150 crore to its kitty.

Another film of Akshay Kumar where he will share screen space with Rajinikanth is the much awaited 2.0, touted as one of the most expensive films, may gross Rs 350 crore.

Ranveer Singh tasted success at the beginning of this year with Padmaavat and is likely to see a repeat of the success story with his other film Simbaa, a Rohit Shetty directorial. The film may garner Rs 150 crore at the box office.

A duo never seen on the big screen before will come together in the film Sui Dhaga. The Anushka Sharma and Varun Dhawan-starrer is expected to touch the Rs 100 crore mark.

Two sequels, Student of the Year 2 and Total Dhamaal may rake in Rs 120 crore each. And then Shah Rukh Khan, the king Khan of Bollywood, will end the year with his film Zero which is likely to earn Rs 200 crore.

Sanjay Dutt biopic, which will be directed by Rajkumar Hirani, and Ajay Devgn and Tabu-starrer, which remains untitled so far and is backed by Luv Runjan, director of the hit film Sonu ki Titu ki Sweety is expected to gather Rs 250 crore and Rs 80 crore, respectively.

Raazi- Rs 60 crore

Veeri Di Wedding- Rs 80 crore

Dhadak- Rs 70 crore

Batti Gul Meter Chalu- Rs 70 crore

Namastey England- Rs 70 crore

Kedarnath- Rs 60 crore

Trade experts are of the opinion that a successful first quarter has set the tone for 2018 and has also encouraged the theatre-going habit. The movie-goers have a host of films this year to pick and choose but will they be bankable? Only time will tell.