Cricket continues to rule but who’s queering the pitch in filmdom?

As we’ve been predicting week after week, Haunted, which had generated no buzz in the trade, has received a cold opening at the ticket counter. Music plays a very vital role in any horror movie but Haunted did not use this key element to its advantage. The film’s disinteresting posters and promos further queered the pitch.

As for Love Ka The End.. Surprisingly, Yash Raj Films, which uses the tricks of the trade of promotion pretty effectively, failed to generate any anticipation around their latest release.
And finally, everyone except the production house and others connected with the Dum Maaro Dum, has accepted that the film has not done well. But the surprise element from last week was Thank You. Since there’s been a dearth of biggies lately, thanks to the IPL, the audience has been turning up to watch this film.

Meanwhile, the IPL is building to a crescendo and the matches have been gaining momentum. Evening shows are barely drawing any footfalls and tradewallahs say the going will be tough for any film till cricket rules the audience’ mindspace. So, don’t expect any big releases in May. The next one is Ready, scheduled for June 3.

Though the theatrical trailer was introduced two weeks ago and the promos are airing on satellite channels, the film has been drawing a tremendous response from the janta. Indeed the trailer rocks and tradewallahs are optimistic about the fate of this film. The songs too are growing in popularity, which is a huge plus. But there’s a slight hitch. According to tradewallahs, a certain channel, which does not have great TRPs has been spreading all sorts of rumours about the film. Tch, tch!

Tradewallahs believe this negativity and the price at which the film has been sold for could potentially hurt its prospects. They point out that the film will have to equal the business of mega-productions like Golmaal 3, My Name Is Khan, Raajneeti and Dabangg to be profitable.

Two action films – Ajay Devgn’s Singham and Salman Khan’s Bodyguard – are hot, hot, hot. Ditto for Karan Johar’s remake of Agneepath, toplining Hrithik Roshan. The buzz around Agneepath is picking up in a big way as Roshan will be seen trading blows with goons after precisely three long years, post-Jodhaa Akbar.

Other films that have become talking points in the film trade are Prakash Jha’s Aarakshan and Puri Jagannath’s Bbuddah – Hoga Tera Baap. (Both these mega-productions will feature in TradeTrac from next week)

Meanwhile, expectations are growing of Shah Rukh Khan’s Ra.One. The mega-star’s Don 2 is also considered a hot proposal and is expected to close out 2011 on a happy note.