2018 has seen a mixed bag of releases so far, be it the quintessential blockbuster, the small-indie film or the mid-budget film. But what stands out in this eclectic variety is the fact that the box-office verdict has been favourable for 2 major films and 2 other films, which were both critically and commercially acclaimed. In a country like India, Bollywood is the major source of entertainment. People flock to theatres to escape from their mundane lives, to get a taste of surreal fantasies, and to lose themselves in the song-and-dance routine of gorgeous actors and actresses.
Let's look at the films which created a major stir at the box office so far in 2018.
India's Supreme Court cleared the release of the controversial Bollywood film Padmavat, and overturned the decision by four states to ban its screening. It released on 25'th January and received mixed reviews, but the audience loved it. Even the Karni-Sena withdrew their protests after they found out the film upheld the values of the Rajputs. Deepika looked like a dream, and Ranveer gained serious appreciation for his acting skills. The best part is, the film garnered 300 crores in India alone!
Though slightly misognystic, the film 'Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety' was lapped up by the masses, who absolutely loved the film's cheesy dialogues and foot-tapping songs! The movie didn't have a major storyline, but it was entertainment full on and 'paisa-vasool' in the full sense of the word. Kathik Aryan, the film's hero, is the embodiment of chocolate-boy looks and is very popular among the girls!
This film raked in more than 100 crores in India.
This good-natured, big-hearted film from India puts a romantic topspin on a true story. But it’s an engrossing and important subject – which was raised by a man who challenged patriarchal taboos with a candour and determination that many men all over the progressive world might shrink from even now.
Padman, made by R. Balki, may not have raked in crores like Padmavati and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, but it made a major impact in rural India, and showed a real-life story, coated in topical Bollywood colours. Overall, a film which garnered critical reviews and put Bollywood on the international map.
This film made about 80 crores at the box-office.
Based on the real life story of an Income Tax officer, Raid is about the longest-running Income Tax raid in India’s history. As per few reports, IT officials raided the house of a businessman, and Congress MLA, Sardar Inder Singh in Kanpur on July 16, 1981 and recovered an unprecedented amount of undeclared assets in cash and gold.
Raid as a movie got decent appreciation from the audience and was critically acclaimed. It got rave reviews in some circles. As a morality tale and also an anti-corruption tale, the film works, and manages to make a strong impact.
Though recently released, the film has already collected 71 crores at the box office.
2018 started off on a positive note, what with 4 of these films doing very well across the country. They were stories with colour, verve, and acumen, which made the Indian audiences sit up and take notice. The films proved that good storytelling always wins and people always like a story well-told. Bollywood will continue to rock the screens in the months to come, and let's hope this list keeps growing!
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