As we have entered the New Year, we can witness several movies releasing in 2024. From Deepika Padukone-Hrithik Roshan starrer 'Fighter' to Katrina Kaif-Vijay Sethupathi's 'Merry Christmas' and 'HanuMan', there are some exciting line-ups of movies this month. 'Merry Christmas' is releasing in theatres on January 12 and will clash with Prasanth Varma's 'HanuMan', 'Mai Atal Hoon' will be released on January 19 and 'Fighter' on January 25. Also, Mahesh Babu's 'Guntur Kaaram' is releasing on January 12.
We spoke to a couple of trade experts to know which upcoming movie is having more buzz in the market.
Producer and film trade expert Girish Johar said, ''Both Fighter and Merry Christmas are highly anticipated films. Merry Christmas is a different combination that the audience is looking at Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi and Sriram Raghavan. The trailer is also very intriguing and true Sriram style. As far as Fighter is concerned, it is one of the biggest films of 2024. It has one of the biggest directors and stars. Whatever the trailer, songs and material we have seen, it looks is a sure shot hit at the box office. Overall, I am expecting a pleasant start to 2024.''
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He also said that the buzz is more of 'Fighter' than 'Merry Christmas'. ''Fighter will open with huge numbers followed by Merry Christmas and Main Atal Hoon. We don't know the screen count yet. Atal is again a highly word-of-mouth-backed film. So, I am sure Pankaj Tripathi's performance will be lauded and it will have a very good run at the box office,'' he added.
Talking about the South releases, Girish said, ''There are quite a few releases on Pongal which is on January 12. There is Hanuman which is a big release and it is also releasing in Hindi and it will stand out. Mahesh Babu's Guntur Kaaram is also releasing and the buzz is very good in the Telugu industry''.
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He also predicted the lifetime collections of 'Dunki and 'Salaar'. He said that both films will have a good run till 'Fighter' releases. The expert also said that Shah Rukh Khan starrer is expected to cross the Rs 225 mark in India. ''It has a couple of weeks to pick up and above Rs 225 will be a bonus. In Hindi, Salaar is expected to make a lifetime collection of Rs 130-135 crore in India,'' Johar said further.
While film exhibitor Lokendra Jain has a different view altogether. He said that there is no buzz of any movies yet. ''Even Fighter does not have such a craze. The story of the film is not new and people want to see new things like Animal. It doesn't matter whether a film has big stars or not. People want to see new and good stuff. I don't feel any movie will perform well at the box office,'' he said.
Talking about 'HanuMan', Jain said that the buzz is good but it's not made on the level it should have been. He added, ''The way it was announced that it would be in 3D and all, they had done propaganda on a big level. But I don't see the film being made at that level''.
''Currently, the entire focus is on the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya which is on January 22. In every city, people are just going through that thing,'' concluded Jain.
Which movie according to you will perform well at the box office? Do let us know.
