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KRK's take on Bollywood 2018

Film critic Kamaal Rashid Khan talks about the films that worked, the ones that didn't, the actors to watch out for in 2019 and much more.

How has the year 2018 been for the Bollywood film industry in terms of box office figures?
2018 has been good and bad for the industry. Many big films like Thugs of Hindostan, Race 3, 2.0, Zero, didn't do well. Small films that had a budget of Rs20-30 crores were blockbusters like Stree, Andhadhun, Badhai Ho. They did very good business so that was positive for Bollywood.
Which were the films, that as a critic you thought would be the highest grossers, but they weren't. And which were the ones you thought will disappoint but didn't?
No one thought films like Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho will be massive hits. Or Kedarnath for that matter. Everyone thought that the producers will lose about Rs30 crores as it was a big budget film but it did well. They will only suffer losses worth Rs5-10 crores.
Who were the actors and actresses that disappointed in 2018?
Stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan disappointed the audience and the industry. All the films had big actresses also like Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. But the major responsibility is on the shoulders of the male actors in our industry so we cannot say much about the female actresses.
How was 2018 for the exhibitors and distributors?
The exhibitors suffered a lot in 2018 because they had given big MGs (minimum guarantee) for big budget movies. Let's hope that the coming year will be beneficial for them. At the same time small films like Stree, Badhaai Ho that the exhibitors got on commission saved them. On the basis of these films they will be able to continue doing business next year also.
Two films that you're looking forward to in 2019, that you feel would do good at the box office?
In 2019, Bharat starring Salman Khan is releasing. Everyone has a lot of expectations from the film and again it is a very big budget film. Akshay Kumar starrer Kesari and Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt starrer Brahmastra are also big budget films. The industry and audience are expecting a lot from these films. Now we'll have to see if they'll be blockbusters.
Who are the actors and actresses to watch out for in 2019?
The way Ayushmann Khurrana gave back-to-back hit films this year, now people are expecting him to give bigger hits in 2019. If he gives a 100crore film then he will become a big star. If not, then it'll be a problem. Among the actresses, Sara Ali Khan and Alia Bhatt are definitely the ones to watch out for.
Now that the films of big stars have not done well, what kind of films do you think will work?
Super stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan should do roles that suit their age. They are all in the 50 plus bracket and if they will do roles of college going guys that will not work. They should do films where they play mature roles, only then will the films work. When big films don't work, it affects the entire industry so let's hope that these actors will think more before taking up roles and blowing up crores. In the 70s Dilip Kumar saab, took a break and came back with Mashaal in which he played Anil Kapoor's father. Similarly Amitabh Bachchan saab in the 90s did Mohabbatein where he played the role of a father. Maybe, these actors should consider doing something like this.
Which is the one film that proved everyone's prediction wrong?
Stree was a film that the distributors thought will not work. Not only the distributors everyone thought it will not work and because of this reason no one showed interest in the film. The producer had to put in his own money to release the film. That film did a business of Rs125 crores and proved the entire industry and trade wrong.
Which film did you like the most and why?
The best film according to me was Raazi. It was not a big budget film and it did very good business. The subject of the film was also very good.
Any suggestions you would like to give for 2019 to the filmmakers as a critic?
My advice is that by increasing the budget of the film there's no guarantee that the film will do well or it will be a good film. You can increase the budget, but the film should have a good subject without that blowing up Rs200-300 crores doesn't make sense. It's better to make small budget films that will do good business.