KAMBAKKHT HIT Akshay proves his box office king status

Kambakkht Ishq, is aptly described as Kambakkht Hit, and has lived up to its title; with the film garnering a whooping Rs. 100 crores in the first week itself. Akshay, however, insists that he is happy being a clown and not the king of box-office. “I am happy being in the circus ring rather than the King’s Throne. I would never want to take the weight of the King’s crown,” he said.

Akshay obviously is having the last laugh.

Akshay added, “I have full faith in my fans and my audience. As far as KI is concerned, no matter what the critics had to say, my fans showed that they had faith in me. They had faith in my talent. The film’s success proves it.”

“Eros International, the official distributors of Kambakkht Ishq confirmed that the film had fetched Rs. 100 crores in the first weekend. A source from the production house said, “The film has grossed Rs.70 crores (Rs.700 million) in India and Rs.21 crores (Rs.210 million) overseas. And the music and digital rights of the movie have fetched Rs.10 crores (Rs.100 million)”

I’m a clown, not a king: Akshay Kumar

“Kambakkht Ishq” has hit the bull’s eye at the box office by grossing Rs.100 crore (Rs. 1 billion) in the first week despite unfavourable reviews - and Akshay Kumar is having the last laugh. But he insists that he has no inclination of being the ‘king’ of Bollywood and is content playing a ‘clown’ for his audiences.

“Really, ever since the time it became loud and clear that ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ had succeeded amongst the audiences, I’m being asked if I’m marching towards the top again. My reply to them is that I’m happy living and dying being where I am and that’s anywhere but on top,” Akshay told in an interview.

“See, I’m a clown and not a king. Once a clown, always a clown! I belong in the ring, not on the podium,” said Akshay, who was deeply hurt that many of his contemporaries from the industry have been apparently trying to pull him down.

Before “Kambakkht Ishq”, the 41-year-old saw a twin setback in the form of “Chandni Chowk To China” and “8X10 Tasveer”. It was just apt that he announced his presence in a big way with the action-romance flick.

Eros International, the distributors of “Kambakkht Ishq”, declared that the film had grossed about Rs.100 crores (Rs.1 billion) worldwide in the first week, making it one of the most successful openings in Indian cinema.

The film has grossed Rs.70 crores (Rs.700 million) in India and Rs.21 crores (Rs.210 million) overseas. And the music and digital rights of the movie have fetched Rs.10 crores (Rs.100 million) - No wonder Akshay comes down on the critics who had a field day ripping apart the film.

“Well, critics to us are like how the tax man is to everyone. We all wish they didn’t exist, but they do. It’s up to the people if they want someone else to make decisions for them,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Talking about the naysayers, he said: “I know they definitely had a whale of a time with this one, didn’t they? What to do? I can’t force them to be nice to me and I’m not the type to put a gun to anyone’s head; so let them be.

“I have faith that my audience will come and prove my work’s worth. And this time they surely have and I love them for it.”

Has he himself never been influenced by critics for films that feature someone else?

“Honestly speaking for myself, if I want to see a movie I will, even if all my friends say it’s crap. In fact, it will only make me want to see it even more. We all don’t like sugar in our tea; so why would we all like the same movies? it’s simple. Trust your own judgement and not someone else’s. That’s all I can say,” he said.

“I never run away from my film’s premiers” - Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar rubbishes the theories about his superstition on not attending the premiers or preview shows of his films, by being in town for the promotion of “Kambakkth Ishq’. The superstar clarifies his absence as a mere coincidence.

Some reports suggest Akshay avoids being in town around the release of his films as he believes, they perform better at the box office if he is away.

“Honestly, I have never consciously run away from the premiers of my films over the years. People made their own assumptions and stated that I do it due to some superstition attached to my presence in the premiers of my own films. That’s just not true”, says Akshay.

However, absence on a continued basis around the release of his films couldn’t be ‘just a coincidence’, right?

‘Believe me, it is”, defends Akshay, “Don’t stress yourself to find any logic or the lack of it. This time I am here because I could make it to Mumbai. Simple.”

On a cheerful note Akshay adds, “It has been long since films worked at the box office and it is heartening to hear that ‘New York’ has done quite well. It was such a long and dry spell of no-show at the box office and I am positive the current season will bring in smiles for everyone”

With the market too showing an upswing, Akshay is glad that people are back to entertainment.

“I can promise that ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ will give them the entertainment that they have been longing for”, concludes Akshay.

Akshay Kumar says ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ will bring East, West together

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar feels that his new film Kambakkht Ishq, which also stars Hollywood superstars Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards, will bring the two cultures of closer.

In an interview to Sky News, Akshay said that if the format succeeded and drew international appeal, it could be a taste of things to come.

“If this film is a big hit, there will be more - and people will see these two cultures coming together,” the New York Daily News quoted him as saying.

And it’s not just Hollywood stars who are keen to make a mark in the Indian film industry, for the increasing popularity of Bollywood flicks has also caught the attention of young British actors.

They are flocking to Mumbai in the hope of finding work more easily than in the UK.

Kareena was comfortable wearing bikini in ‘Kambakkht Ishq’: Director

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor had no problems wearing a bikini for her just-released “Kambakkht Ishq”, informs debutant director Sabbir Khan.

“There was no problem from Kareena’s side in wearing a bikini. If she’s said that she wouldn’t don a bikini, then she must have felt that the scene she has performed in ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ is special before going ahead and doing it,” Khan told IANS.

“She didn’t have any apprehensions…and I think she’s gone ahead and done it beautifully…If there had been any problems, she wouldn’t have worn it,” he added.

Kareena has earlier said that she has decided to stay away from bikini for her mother Babita’s sake. Babita didn’t like her two-piece stint in last year’s dud “Tashan”.

Kambakkht Ishq Review

Friday has for been the day when fates of movies are decided and this week it is Kambakht Ishq which has been one of the most anticipated big Bollywood releases this year. But this Kareena Kapoor and Akshay Kumar starer with a significant presence of Hollywood stars seems to have fallen flat on the ground as movie seems to lack in many aspects.

Primarily the storyline of the movie has been thrashed as quite silly. As per the plot, Kareena is a surgeon in the movie who tries to lure Akshay Kumar to the operation theater to retrieve her watch that she had left inside Akshay’s stomach the last time she operated him and consequently saved him. It seems it doesn’t have a story at all and many are of the opinion that no significant acting can be found in the movie. It was also much talked about due to the Hollywood glamor attached to it namely Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh who had played real life roles in the film.

While some thrash the movie as a work of burlesque, its also been slammed as a movie crossing all boundaries of mimickery. Even the music that has been done by Anu Mallik is not been appreciated at all.

The movie has caught much attention in the last few months owing to its big budget of Rs.60 crore, it’s shooting in the famous Universal Studio in Hollywood and its multiple stunts that is Akshay Kumar’s forte. It’s now to see whether this movie in the coming days at all catches up in the box office or not.

Kambakkht Ishq goes digital

In an era where everyone has access to at least one digital screen: mobile or computer, the makers of “Kambakkht Ishq’ and Hungama Digital Media (Hungama) announced the launch of a unique bouquet of digital promotions that gives Bollywood fans across the country, a connect with the film anywhere they go. This to create fervour and excitement about the film through varied avenues like the Kambakkht Ishq mobile game, a mobile Voice VAS service by Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor and a blog written by the film’s director Sabbir Khan on www.BollywoodHungama.com

The Kambakkht Ishq Mobile Game is a fun-filled racing game which allows users to play the role of Akshay Kumar and highlights the bittersweet gender wars between the two protagonists of the movie. The user has to complete various stunts and collect objects in the exciting and fast paced racing game to complete the game. In the mobile voice VAS service, Akshay Kumar reveals a few of his stunt tips for all the young aspiring stunt men; and Kareena Kapoor advices women on beauty tips. All people have to do is pick the phone, dial a number and listen to the stars of Kambakkht Ishq speaking to them.

Sajid Nadiadwala said, “Kambakkht Ishq is an action-packed, romantic comedy that will appeal to everyone. This movie also tickles the “war between the sexes’ that the youth will especially connect with. We needed to promote the film through platforms where youngsters are present and today I see every young boy or girl digitally connected, either with a phone to their ear or their eyes on a computer screen. We are Nadiadwala & Grandsons are very keen on exploring innovations in marketing, and Hungama has given us a great platform to create some fun elements of the film.”

Added director of Kambakkht Ishq, Sabbir Khan said, “This film is extremely unique in the way it has been written and directed and keeping in line with that I wanted to promote this film through distinctive platforms. Since this film also stars international celebrities like Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh, I thought it would be best to use the digital platforms that give fans in international markets an insight of the film before its release. I am extremely excited about the blog on Bollywood Hungama to keep fans updated with the latest about the film.”

The stars of the film Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor were also present during the launch today. “I have always looked forward to doing an exciting film like Kambakkht Ishq and the film being translated in to a game and a voice service on the mobile platform. Both these are extremely innovative and entertaining. I hope my fans especially enjoy the Stunt Tips, but they must all be very careful while doing them” said Akshay Kumar. Kareena Kapoor added,”I loved sharing my style tips with my fans. I hope all the ladies love the all my style tips”

Each and every film maker wants to give his film immense attention before its release to create a space in the audiences’ minds that does not merely create awareness but instead goes a step further to ensure a “buy-in’ to the film by creating a sense of anticipation and excitement. Kambakkht Ishq is a perfect example where digital marketing is used beyond just run of the mill concepts to using the platforms to connect people with the stars and movie concepts.