<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35077673.cms" /> It never rains but it pours, at least in <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>, and this time, you get to see half-a-dozen low-budget flicks vying for visibility and struggling for a successful <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> run. Mind you, when we say half-a-dozen, we are not exaggerating – here is the complete list of six – <keyword id="6375259" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manjunath">Manjunath</keyword>, <keyword id="2178404" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Koyelaanchal">Koyelaanchal</keyword>, <keyword id="1835898" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hawaa-Hawaai">Hawaa Hawaai</keyword>, <keyword id="2069848" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mastram">Mastram</keyword>, <keyword id="2093570" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yeh-Hai-Bakrapur">Yeh Hai Bakrapur</keyword> and finally, <keyword id="1276718" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Khwaabb">Khwaabb</keyword>. So catch your breath as we run you through them quickly. There is just one common factor here – all of them turn out to be pretty intriguing, irrespective of the sluggish response at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword>. 
 
Manjunath: Bitter to the end 
Our first choice is Manjunath, a biopic directed and co-produced by <keyword id="2239399" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sandeep-A-Varma">Sandeep A. Varma</keyword>, which tells the true story of the <keyword id="6354412" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="indian-oil">Indian Oil</keyword> <keyword id="6420527" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="executive">executive</keyword> <keyword id="479971" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manjunath-Shanmugam">Manjunath Shanmugam</keyword> and his fight against the <keyword id="425101" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="oil-mafia">oil mafia</keyword> of Uttar Pradesh. The murder of this IIM braveheart for his whistleblowing act is still considered a national tragedy, but Varma’s kind of docu-drama unfolds a dark reality that’s too chilling and too gut-wrenching to give way to tears. The movie meanders at times, but the protagonist, brilliantly played by newcomer <keyword id="2239401" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sasho-Satish-Saarthy">Sasho Satish Saarthy</keyword>, takes you to a world where <keyword id="46183" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Corruption">corruption</keyword> is a way of life. However, the verdict at the domestic box office has been harsh and Manjunath only managed to nett around Rs 1 crore after Day 4 while debut day earnings were a paltry Rs 15-20 lakh. 
 
Koyelaanchal: Look what’s unearthed 
The second flick under scanner is Koyelaanchal, produced and directed by <keyword id="1235537" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ashu-Trikha">Ashu Trikha</keyword>. After <keyword id="486655" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gangs-of-Wasseypur">Gangs of Wasseypur</keyword> and <keyword id="6427325" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gunday">Gunday</keyword>, it is the latest from Bollywood on the exploits of the <keyword id="85025" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="coal-mafia">coal mafia</keyword> and had a huge release, especially in single screens. But the film tripped at the box office and collected about Rs 45 lakh on the opening day. Although official numbers are yet to come in, total earnings spanning the first three days are a little below Rs 2 crore, as per industry estimates. 
 
In Koyelaanchal, we again come face to face with all-pervading corruption and criminal use of natural resources. This time, it is the coal <keyword id="2239403" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mafioso-Saryubhan-Singh">Mafioso Saryubhan Singh</keyword> aka Maalik (<keyword id="6430614" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vinod-Khanna">Vinod Khanna</keyword>), who rules the mines of the <keyword id="2239414" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bihar-Jharkhand-belt">Bihar-Jharkhand belt</keyword> and locks horns with <keyword id="6359011" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="District-Collector">district collector</keyword> <keyword id="2239402" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nisheeth-Kumar">Nisheeth Kumar</keyword> (<keyword id="7646" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="suniel-shetty">Suniel Shetty</keyword>) when he raises troublesome questions. <keyword id="819709" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="the-script">The script</keyword> goes haywire at times, but the USP here happen to be the thorough research and the realistic take at a time when a multi-billion-dollar Coalgate scam has deeply shaken the nation. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35077716.cms" /> 
 
Mastram: Morality decoded 
Next comes Mastram, again an offbeat movie that deals with a sexually repressed society and its ingrained hypocrisy. A <keyword id="41623" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Directorial-debut">directorial debut</keyword> by <keyword id="1628796" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Akhilesh-Jaiswal">Akhilesh Jaiswal</keyword>, it is the story of the <keyword id="2239404" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="failed-author">failed author</keyword> <keyword id="201974" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajaram">Rajaram</keyword> (<keyword id="2102195" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Bagga">Rahul Bagga</keyword>) whose work gets rejected because they lack masala. But the man finally excels as he starts writing erotica and along with that, begins a painful <keyword id="6374782" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="journey">journey</keyword> of self-realisation. Made on a budget of around Rs 2 crore, this ‘fictional biography’ had collected around Rs 75 lakh on the opening day at the domestic box office and its earnings stood at a little over Rs 3 crore after the first Monday. 
 
Hawaa Hawaai: Breezy &amp; smooth-flowing 
Back again after <keyword id="63220" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Stanley-Ka-Dabba">Stanley Ka Dabba</keyword> (well, that one grossed a little over Rs 5 crore), director-writer <keyword id="91815" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amol-Gupte">Amol Gupte</keyword>’s <keyword id="2239418" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Commercial-entertainer">commercial entertainer</keyword> Hawaa Hawaai has been produced by <keyword id="106474" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fox-Star-Studios">Fox Star Studios</keyword> and hopes to do better this time. The movie netted around Rs 4.25 crore in the first three days and had an estimated budget of Rs 6 crore. 
 True to his pet genre, Gupte is still catering to the young audience and telling a simple tale with a touching innocence that will win every heart. But the emotional outing and catch-my-dream theme are fraught with grim realities as well. <keyword id="2234714" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arjun-Harishchandra-Waghmare">Arjun Harishchandra Waghmare</keyword> (Amol’s son <keyword id="678010" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Partho-Gupte">Partho Gupte</keyword>) is a migrant <keyword id="6377229" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Child-labour">child labour</keyword> who toils hard at a roadside restaurant in Mumbai but wants to become a <keyword id="2239398" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="champion-roller-skater">champion roller-skater</keyword>. That’s not too difficult when the <keyword id="2239405" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="kind-hearted-coach">kind-hearted coach</keyword> <keyword id="6369280" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lucky">Lucky</keyword> (<keyword id="684700" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saqib-Saleem">Saqib Saleem</keyword>) is willing to help and his poor but large-hearted peers are keen to support him as much as they can. Overall, a thought-provoking movie that flows smoothly without too many hitches. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35077736.cms" /> 
 
Endnote 
The other two releases of the week are Yeh Hai Bakrapur and Khwaabb. The former is a many-layered socio-political satire, starring <keyword id="124285" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anshuman-Jha">Anshuman Jha</keyword> and <keyword id="1810577" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Asif-Basra">Asif Basra</keyword> (plus, <keyword id="2239416" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh-the-goat">Shah Rukh the Goat</keyword>) and directed by <keyword id="468251" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Janaki-Vishwanathan">Janaki Vishwanathan</keyword>. The scathing attack on blind faith, punctuated with sharp wit, makes it an amply watchable movie. Khwaabb (directed by <keyword id="537936" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zaid-Ali-Khan">Zaid Ali Khan</keyword>), on the other hand, is a sports-based romance-drama starring <keyword id="1280175" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navdip-Singh">Navdip Singh</keyword> and <keyword id="708963" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Simer-Motiani">Simer Motiani</keyword>. In spite of some interesting scripts, both movies failed to impact the domestic box office – each collecting a little over Rs 1 crore after the third day. 
 But don’t worry too much even if there has been a box office debacle for some time now. <keyword id="14509" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rajinikanth">Rajinikanth</keyword>’s <keyword id="1849408" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kochadaiiyaan">Kochadaiiyaan</keyword> is due to be released in a couple of weeks and that will surely set the box office ringing while <keyword id="2239419" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mainstream-movie-fans">mainstream movie fans</keyword> go crazy about thalaiva. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office Falters But
Tales Of Corruption, Turbulence Make Their Mark In Bollywood

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/33732641.cms" />The summer vacation is right here and you must be thinking up some fun activities to keep your little devils engaged. How about a movie marathon as you watch together some of the best kids’ films ever made in <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>? Here’s a look at the top 10 movies and what they offer. 
 
1. Bhoothnath Returns 
A sequel to 2008’s Bhoothnath, this film starts when Bhoothnath returns to the Bhoot World (the world of ghosts) after bidding adieu to Banku on Earth. But in the Bhoot World, he is taunted right and left for getting bullied by a child. So to redeem himself, Bhoothnath comes back to earth with the mission to scare kids. And this time, he meets Akhrot. Mind you, he’s the only person who can see Bhoothnath. But soon, they become <keyword id="343" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="Friends">friends</keyword> and decide to fight against the country’s most powerful and corrupt <keyword id="6378412" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="politician">politician</keyword>. Will a ghost win the humans’ battle against corruption? Find out as you watch this tale of good against evil. 
 
2. Stanley Ka Dabba 
This film will take you back to your school days. From sharing your lunch to making friends and ganging up against teachers, this movie has it all and never fails to please. Stanley is an orphan but he keeps it a secret and there is no one at home to pack his lunch. But what happens when his school teacher forbids him to attend school until he comes with a lunch box? What will he do now? Find out as you watch this heart-touching story. 
 
3. <keyword id="248958" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Chillar-Party">Chillar Party</keyword> 
A must-watch film for kids to give them a lesson or two about the power of unity. A group of happy-go-lucky kids decide to fight against a politician who has made a new rule to capture all stray dogs. Will they win? Find out as you watch this inspirational tale with your kids. 
 
4. Taare Zameen Par Ishaan is brilliant when it comes to painting. But his academic performance is a great cause of concern for his parents who send him to a boarding school. One of his teachers, played by <keyword id="6355923" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Aamir-Khan">Aamir Khan</keyword>, finds out that he is dyslexic and decides to help him overcome the disability. In addition to Aamir’s superlative direction, child actor <keyword id="15296" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Darsheel-Safary">Darsheel Safary</keyword>’s performance makes it one of the best kids’ movies ever made in Bollywood. 
 
5. Gattu 
Here’s a touching tale of faith and strong will power. Gattu is the story of a small town boy who has decided to defeat a black kite called <keyword id="84966" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kali">Kali</keyword>, which is believed to be mysterious. Every kid wants to master the black kite but no one has done it. Will Gattu succeed? 
 
6. Blue Umbrella 
Based on Ruskin Bond’s story, this movie is directed by Visal Bhardwaj and tells the story of Biniya, a girl with an enchanting blue umbrella that she has got from a Japanese tourist. A shop-cum-restaurant-owner is jealous of Biniya’s umbrella and manages to steal it, and dyes it red. What will Biniya do now? 
 
7. Halo 
A motherless girl is in search of her lost dog, Halo. She meets a myriad of people and faces several tough situations while trying to find her dog, but Halo is nowhere to be found. Finally, she finds him but sets him free. Are you wondering why? Find out as you watch the movie. 
 
8. Makdee Makdee is the story of the twin sisters – Chunni and Munni. One fine day, the village witch, played by <keyword id="19" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Shabana-Azmi">Shabana Azmi</keyword>, traps them and tortures them. If they want to save their lives, they have to complete all sorts of weird tasks assigned by the witch. Will they be able to escape? Find out! 
 
9. Chota Chetan 
This is the Hindi remake of the Malayalam movie My Dear Kuttichathan (1984), which was India’s first 3D film. When re-released in 1998 as Chota Chetan, more scenes were added to the original to make it a visual delight. Moreover, new characters were also introduced in the later version, including those of <keyword id="1262" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Urmila-Matondkar">Urmila Matondkar</keyword> and <keyword id="2218" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Satish-Kaushik">Satish Kaushik</keyword>. The film is full of excitement and adventure, and your kids will simply love it. 
 
10. Anjali 
Yet another gem of a children’s movie! Directed by Mani Ratnam, this is the story of a two-year-old mentally challenged and terminally ill girl. Her father keeps her away from her mother and tells his spouse that she has given birth to a stillborn. However, the mother eventually finds out about her daughter. The two-year-old protagonist is exceptional in the role and Mani Ratnam has portrayed the day-to-day activities of the kids beautifully. 
 
Image: Indiatimes

You Searched For "Stanley Ka Dabba" and got 2 results

Box Office Falters But Tales Of Corruption, Turbulence Make Their Mark In Bollywood

Sanghamitra Mandal

Summer Fun: Check Out These 10 Must-watch Bollywood Movies For Kids

Charu