The debate about box office figures has been a longstanding one in the film industry. Director Hansal Mehta, known for his unconventional storytelling, has been vocal about the obsession with box office numbers. In a 2024 interview with India Today, he expressed his concerns that these figures often overshadow the true quality of a film, reducing the art of filmmaking to a mere “pornographic performance of data.” This sentiment is shared by some of his peers, who feel that the emphasis on box office earnings can be misleading and takes away from the real essence of cinema.
Karan Johar, a prominent filmmaker, has also weighed in on this issue. Interestingly, his stance on box office figures has evolved over time. While he once used to proudly tout the numbers as a measure of a film’s success, he now seems to be reevaluating their importance. In fact, he has even admitted to manipulating box office figures in the past, which raises questions about the authenticity of these numbers. This begs the question: are box office figures truly relevant to the average moviegoer, or are they simply a tool for the industry to gauge its own success?
The Role of Social Media in Box Office Discussions
Raj Bansal, a distributor and trade expert, believes that in today’s social media age, audiences are more aware of box office figures than ever before. They want to know how their favorite actors’ films are performing, and this curiosity drives the discussion around box office numbers. Vishak Chauhan, a film enthusiast from Purnia, Bihar, echoes this sentiment, stating that the box office and fan engagement create an atmosphere of discussion around films. People are interested in the quality of a film, but they also want to know how it’s doing business-wise, as this helps them decide whether or not to watch it.
Diverse Perspectives on Box Office Figures
Trade expert Girish Johar has a different take on the matter. He believes that box office discussions are not relevant to the general public and that the emphasis on numbers is a marketing tool created by PR agencies. However, Sachin Jangir, founder of Caiknilk India, observes that people do look at box office figures, as well as advance booking numbers, to decide whether or not to watch a film. This is especially true in the post-pandemic era, where advance booking has become a key indicator of a film’s potential success.
Sachin notes that if a film’s advance booking is strong, it’s likely to do well at the box office. Conversely, films with poor advance booking numbers often struggle to attract audiences. This perception is influenced by the fact that people have started to rely on numbers to gauge a film’s quality, given the inconsistent track record of film critics.
The Parallel with IPL
The fascination with box office figures can be likened to the hype surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL). Just as cricket fans eagerly follow the auction and discuss player prices, film enthusiasts track box office numbers and analyze their favorite stars’ performances. While the price tag on a player doesn’t necessarily impact the viewing experience, it adds a new layer of discussion and excitement to the game. Similarly, box office figures create a buzz around films, engaging fans before and after the movie’s release.
Raj Bansal sums it up aptly: “People have no harm in finding out the box office figures. But when people throw mud about these figures, it is wrong.” The key is to strike a balance between appreciating the art of filmmaking and acknowledging the business side of the industry, without letting the numbers overshadow the true essence of cinema.
