Bodygaurd at SIMC

1.     Which has been the biggest Bollywood grosser this year?  

BODYGUARD

·         Directed by                  Siddique

·         Produced by                Atul Agnihotri, Alvira Agnihotri, Reliance Entertainment

·         Screenplay, Story by    Siddique

·         Starring                      Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Raj Babbar, Mahesh Manjrekar,

·         Music by                      Himesh Reshammiya, Pritam

·         Distributed by  Reliance Entertainment, Reel Life Production Pvt. Ltd.

·         Release date(s)            August 31, 2011

This year’s biggest grosser and still going strong is the Salman khan starrer BODYGUARD, although reports suggest READY is in the lead by a slim margin  (but reports were last updated 6 days back), so as of now it can be safely said that the biggest Bollywood grosser for the year 2011 is BODYGUARD.

It has all the makings of a classic Salman khan starrer, the recipe of success was the same as Dabangg of last year. Released on the eve of EID, people stormed the cinema to have a glimpse of their favorite star.

The film broke many records upon its release. Within the first day of its release, it went on to become the highest opening day grosser as well as the biggest grosser ever for a single day, breaking the records earlier held by Dabangg, another Salman-starrer. The film set another box office record, netting 99.50 crore in its first week, thus becoming the highest opening week grossing Bollywood film. As of 13 September 2011, Bodyguard has grossed 215 crore worldwide, therefore becoming the second highest grossing Bollywood film ever worldwide after 3 Idiots.

BODYGUARD works for varied reasons -- it has a simple, but captivating story with a dramatic twist in the tale, the chemistry between the lead actors is perfect and the music is well juxtaposed in the narrative. But its biggest USP is, without doubt, Salman Khan. He carries the film on his broad and brawny shoulders and that alone is the imperative reason for watching this film.

The backdrop of many scenes is the symbiosis campus itself, and that adds to it a breathtaking scenery and environment, along with a perfect setting for a college, as depicted in the movie itself.

2.     How would you promote a film which is considered to be an 'art' film?  You can use an existing film as example.

An art film has a narrow audience focus, it has small niche to cater to along with the prerogative of passing the message (content) in an artful container.

Following are some ways to promote an art film:

-          Small circulation film magazines are indeed helpful in getting the talk up about the film in the masses and also it helps to judge the prelim response of the promotion of the film.

-          Posters outside art galleries or ethnic item shops would help potential viewers relate to the artful direction and orientation of the film.

-          Distributing apps and press kits, reaches the youth and gets up the publicity quotient.

-          Website based on the theme, helps to create and satisfy a basic need of face value for the film.

-          Enter film into film festival, makes the film reach to a wider audience.

-          Social media

-          Video marketing

-          Forum marketing

-          Product collaboration means to club the film together to some product that is being used extensively in the movie to show relevance and relation with an art-form and the movie.