“If trade experts are any measure to go by, this year seems cut out for Aamir Khan. The actor tops the most-anticipated film list with his forthcoming release, Talaash, where he plays a cop.
Talaash marks Reema Kagti’s second outing as a director. And although, her first, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd (2007), didn’t exactly set the cash registers ringing, Reema’s upcoming thriller remains widely awaited. Backing her this time is the Dil Chahta Hai (2001) team — Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani and Aamir Khan— who will co-produce this film.
Co-written by Zoya Akhtar and Reema, Talaash is being made within a budget of Rs 40 crore and its satellite rights have already been sold for Rs 40 crore, six months before the film’s release.
The excitement among fans is no less — three fake posters are already doing the rounds online. The film is expected to release on June 1.”
“Salman Khan, whose film Ek Tha Tiger (ETT) is being directed by Kabir Khan, came second on the list. It marks Salman’s entry into the Yash Raj camp, and will see the Dabangg (2010) actor with former ‘girlfriend’ Katrina Kaif after five years. Incidentally, last year, his films Ready and Bodyguard (2011) raked in Rs 130 cr and Rs 150 cr respectively. ETT is slated to release on Eid, which has proved to be lucky for Salman for two years — Dabangg and Bodyguard.
Dabangg 2 at number four seems to be another crowd-pleaser in the making. Poor reviews of RA.One and Don 2 are not reason enough to write off Shah Rukh Khan just yet, say trade experts. This year will see King Khan return to what he does best — romance. He will be seen in Yash Chopra’s untitled Diwali release, after the director’s seven-year-long hiatus (Veer Zaara, 2004).
Karan Johar’s Agneepath, which revisits the 1990-Amitabh Bachchan blockbuster, stands in fifth place. Hrithik Roshan plays the lead in this film directed by newbie Karan Malhotra. This Republic Day release is already creating a buzz with its slick promos and Katrina Kaif’s item number Chikni Chameli… Some trade experts feel, if this film works, Hrithik could give tough competition to the Khans.
Ajay Devgn’s Singham was his first film to cross the Rs 100 crore mark in 2011, and the actor teams up again with Rohit Shetty in Bol Bachchan, which releases on July 6 and is ranked number six.
After a string of flops like Thank You and Desi Boyz, Akshay Kumar desperately needs a hit. With seven films slated to release in 2012, and maximum money riding on him, it could well be a make-or-break year for the Khiladi. Prabhu Deva’s Rowdy Rathore (at number seven), releases on June 15 and could help break his jinx.
Method:
Fifteen top trade and industry experts were asked to name the three films of 2012 they’re awaiting the most. Number 1 film was given three points, number 2 got two points and number 3 got one point. Then these points were added up. Aamir Khan’s Talaash led by six points making it the number one film of 2012, followed by Salman Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger and Yash Chopra’s next with Shah Rukh Khan.
Talaash: 26 points
Ek Tha Tiger: 20 points
Yash Chopra’s next: 19 points
Dabangg 2: 13 points
Agneepath: 9 points
Bol Bachchan: 2 points”
