Click to play videoMumbai: The prayer of many Bollywood filmmakers, who had been counting on India's World Cup performance to carry their films based on the game, went unanswered.
"I seriously hope that they win just for our sake,” director Raj Kaushal had said before the start of the World Cup.
This Friday, Sanjay Suri starrer Say Salaam India will release across the country. And although it's very likely that India's premature ouster from the World Cup will affect the film's box-office, the filmmakers are hoping these films will work on their own strength.
"I do admit that cricket win will make a difference but I will hope that people will look beyond that,” says director, Say Salaam India, Subhash Kapoor.
Actor Sanjay Suri adds, “The moment India comes back from the World Cup, the country's morale overall will be low. It's not just our films, a lot of other things will also get affected."
Three films centred around cricket were expected to hit the box office during the World Cup. The first of the lot, Hat-trick, released last week to much hype, but its collections were as dismal as the Indian team's performance.
Now, distributors and exhibitors are wary of the other similarly themed cricket-centric films, especially since they can no longer ride on the feel-good wave, which earlier surrounded the Indian team.
"As distributors we are rethinking Say Salaam India, but screen presence is something that we will give equal value to,” says Marketing Manager, PVR cinemas, Ranjan Singh.
Filmmakers are understandably nervous. Kaushal, the director of the upcoming Meerabai Not Out insists that his film goes beyond just the game.
"My film is not about cricket, but it’s about cricket fans and the mania,” he says.
It seems that Bollywood has learnt a lesson this time around. And perhaps the next time, they would seek inspiration from the murkiness and off field drama that has clouded the game during the World Cup much like a Bollywood script.
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