Akshay crosses new milestone with huge TMK opening

Akshay Kumar would be heaving a sigh of relief. Those who had questioned his superstardom after the poor opening of 'Action Replayy' won't really have much to say after the terrific start that 'Tees Maar Khan' has enjoyed at theaters. Of course ultimately it's the content which will do the talking to decide the kind of distance that this Farah Khan directed film eventually travels. However the fact remains that the weekend belongs to a star and this is where Akshay has delivered.

'Tees Maar Khan' has netted around 40 crores over the weekend, hence turning out to be the biggest opener ever for Akshay Kumar. Before this 'Housefull' had netted around 30 crores over the weekend but with 40 crores coming in, 'Tees Maar Khan' is now next only to 'Dabangg' after crossing '3 Idiots' opening.

While it was 'Tees Maar Khan' wave all over with the entire world talking about it, whether in a positive or a negative tone, the fact remains that in the process of that happening, Ajay Devgn starrer 'Toonpur Ka Superrhero' was totally ignored. This live-animation film didn't find any takers whatsoever with an opening that was merely in 10% range. Clearly, those who wanted to check out a film over the weekend preferred 'Tees Maar Khan' and were in no mood to spend on two films.

As for 'Isi Life Mein', absolutely nothing went in it's favour. Wrong release period, poor show timings, nil hype, an average product in hand, no curiosity amongst the audience and poor reviews meant that 'Isi Life Mein' went totally unnoticed. The only thing that went in favour of this Sooraj Barjatya production was some good promotion (if one goes by the small budget in which the film has been made). However that was never going to be good enough for this film which fetched a disastrous 5%-10% opening for itself. Akshay Oberoi and Sandeepa Dhar, two debutants of 'Isi Life Mein' may benefit though as their act has come for some appreciation. However, the film hasn't quite turned out to be smash debut per se with hardly anyone checking it out.

Katrina most profitable actress of 2010

Ajay Devgn and Katrina Kaif will be crowned the most profitable actors of 2010 at the 'ETC Bollywood Business Awards 2010 - Evaluating Movie Moghuls' today (December 28). First timer Abhinav Kashyap will get the most profitable director trophy.

"Figures talk, you cannot manipulate it, you cannot play games with it," said Ajay, who has had six releases this year including 'Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?' 'Raajneeti', 'Golmaal 3', and 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai' and except 'Aakrosh' and 'Toonpur Ka Superhero', all his movies did good business.

The research done by ETC indicated that Indian audiences paid a cumulative sum of Rs.282 crore to watch Ajay's films throughout the year vis-a-vis Rs.142 crore to watch Katrina's 'Raajneeti' and 'Tees Maar Khan'.

Breaking all records is Salman Khan’s 'Dabangg' that has been named as the top grosser of the year. Debut director Abhinav Kashyap bagged the most profitable director trophy for the corrupt cop saga with audiences paying a cumulative sum of over Rs.140 crore to watch his film.

"It is a fair assessment of the recipient's work and his popularity and mass appeal," said Arbaaz Khan, winner of the most successful producer for 'Dabangg'.

Toonpur Ka Superhero Impresses Audience

The Christmas release that will surely be loved up by kids and youth who love live animation films is Toonpur Ka Super Hero. Produced under the banner of Big Screen Entertainment headed by producer Kumar Mangat, the film is receiving good reports from whoever has seen it, especially kids who seemed to be enjoying every bit of it.

The film is certainly a brave attempt by producer Kumar Mangat who has shown much courage (especially during this year) touching upon different and not very safe subjects. Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge? (Produced by his daughter Amita Pathak) was a touching, socially relevant comedy, which managed to touch many a heart and saw Ajay Devgn in a never before role of a submissive nephew harassed by his so called uncle.

While Mangat's Priyadarshan directed Aakrosh was a hard hitting film on honour killing may not have set the box-office on fire but was critically acclaimed and sent out a strong message.

And with Toonpur, he amazed the audience yet again by providing fun and exciting entertainment to kids and parents at the same time and proving that Ajay Devgan and wife Kajol can still drive a lot of attention.

Kajol and Ajay have differences

They were last seen together on screen almost three years back in Ajay Devgn's directorial debut, U, ME AUR HUM. Now, real life jodi, Ajay and Kajol is all set to recreate their magic in the animation flick, TOONPUR KA SUPERRHERO. Directed by Kireet Khurana, it is India's first live action - 3D animation combination feature film.

Although they have done many films together, Kajol and Ajay are not on the same page when it comes to choosing films. Says Kajol, "We rarely agree on a script. So it has to be few movies every few years." She goes on to say, "We actually don't agree on most scripts. What he thinks of being very workable, I think them to be very boring. So it's very rare that we both agree to do a film."

So has the equation between Kajol and Ajay changed through the years? "The process is pretty much the same. As the years go by, you just get more comfortable. You get used to the way the other person works. It becomes more of a team spirit more than anything else," asserts Kajol.

Quiz them about what made them do TOONPUR KA SUPERRHERO and Ajay says, "TOONPUR KA SUPERRHERO was a fabulous script. I would put it as a comedy film which makes you laugh throughout. In our country, till date animation films have been made which target the children. I've seen some with my daughter. Their humour only makes some children laugh. It doesn't excite adults. They think that children are stupid," he says bluntly. Continuing in the same vein, he says, "And the movies have failed. But we like the Hollywood animation films that we see with our kids because they have the right balance. Why are we trying to make films with humour which only some kids will like and other kids have grown out of it or we have grown out of it? So our first intention was to make a comedy film which both kids and adults will understand." Ajay admits that they were initially worried about working in the film. "We were a little skeptical that in India such a live animation film has not been made. So we did a test. I told Kireet that the script was nice but we need some proof of it. We saw some portions of it and were taken aback. It was like any Hollywood film. When you see the film, you will be proud that such film is made in India," says Ajay.

According to Ajay, there is a lot riding on this animation flick. "There was an article saying that if TOONPUR KA SUPERRHERO works, there can be one lakh jobs in our country. So it will be a boost to the animation world. And if it doesn't work, more than five thousand people will lose jobs. So we are under a lot of pressure."

Acting in an animation film wasn't a piece of cake for Ajay. "It was very tough. We had to stand in a green room and talk to people who are not there. And comedy is all about timing. Apart from that there is a lot of action in the film, where I had to fight people who were not around me. I had to pick and throw people. So my body language had to be perfect."

Toonpur Ka Superhero Theatrical Trailer

There you can see the theatrical trailer of Toonpur Ka Superhero. Looks cute. India has gone far ahead in terms of technology. The kids and parents would like this movie at least.