Superstar Akshay Kumar, a stalwart of the Hindi film industry, has lauded the recent successes of Bollywood films like “Jawan” and “Gadar 2,” recognizing their positive impact on the industry. Kumar expressed his hope that future blockbusters would set the bar even higher, aiming for “Rs 2,000-3,000 crore” in terms of earnings.
The Hindi film industry faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with theaters being shuttered for an extended period. Even after their reopening, box office collections were subdued until earlier this year. However, recent releases such as Shah Rukh Khan’s “Pathaan,” “Jawan,” and Sunny Deol’s “Gadar 2” have reignited the magic of the big screen.
In a group interview in Mumbai, the 56-year-old actor-producer remarked, “I hope the industry gives more and more hits. I was very happy when Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Jawan’ performed exceptionally well. Other films like ‘Gadar 2’ and ‘OMG 2’ also found success. This is incredibly beneficial for the industry.”
Kumar emphasized the importance of commercial success, as it enables the production of content-driven films like his recent release, “Mission Raniganj.”
He added, “Commercial success is vital because it paves the way for other films, especially content-driven ones. However, the magnitude of commercial success also matters. ‘Mission Raniganj,’ for instance, falls within a certain budget, and I consider it a commercial film. While it may not be on the scale of ‘Jawan’ or ‘Rowdy Rathore,’ it has its own niche audience, and I hope it performs well.”
“Mission Raniganj,” a rescue thriller inspired by the heroic efforts of Jaswant Singh Gill in leading Bharat’s coal mine rescue mission, was released in theaters recently. The film, directed by Tinu Suresh Desai, who previously helmed “Rustom,” earned Akshay Kumar the National Award for Best Actor.
Kumar expressed his satisfaction with the positive response received for “Mission Raniganj.” He noted that validation from his wife, who praised his performance and termed it “award-winning,” holds special significance. However, Kumar emphasized that public approval and audience reception are paramount.
In the lead-up to the film’s release, the makers unveiled a motion poster for “Mission Raniganj” on social media, with the tagline ‘The Great Bharat Rescue.’ This choice of title stirred some interest amidst the India-Bharat naming controversy. When questioned about the decision to change the film’s tagline (from India to Bharat), Kumar defended it, stating, “Is Bharat a wrong name? India is also not incorrect; both are perfectly acceptable. We made the change because ‘Bharat’ is an exceptional name.”
The film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Parineeti Chopra, Kumud Mishra, Pavan Malhotra, Ravi Kishan, Varun Badola, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Rajesh Sharma, Virendra Saxena, Shishir Sharma, Ananth Mahadevan, Jameel Khan, Sudhir Pandey, Bachan Pachera, Mukesh Bhatt, and Omkar Das Manikpuri.
In conclusion, Akshay Kumar’s optimism about the resurgence of Hindi cinema through recent successes underscores the industry’s resilience in the face of adversity. The actor’s aspiration for even greater box office milestones reflects his commitment to the craft and his unwavering dedication to entertaining audiences.
