From ‘Nepotism’ to ‘Sequels’ and ‘Controversies’ to ‘Blockbusters’, a few words that defined 2017!

Though the year 2017 doesn’t see many commercially successful films, it literally went through a helluva roller-coaster ride. Despite being a not so fruitful year, we got the highest grossing film in the form of ‘Baahubali: The Conclusion’. 2017 also saw some serious controversies. Some controversies were around the stars and their movies while others took place between the stars. The just passed year saw a good business from some low-budget films, while it also had a number of successful sequels. The list is long, so to define the year 2017, we have got some words which shed light on some of the major events in a broader way.

As the Bollywood year of 2018 has just begun with the new releases, let us take a last look at the year 2017.

Nepotism: What comes to your mind when we say the term ‘Nepotism’? Kangana and Karan, right? Well, that’s because of Kangana Ranaut and Karan Johar’s much-talked about controversy around the high prevalence of nepotism in Bollywood. After appearing in Karan’s famous talk show, ‘Coffee With Karan’, Kangana called Karan the flag bearer of nepotism. Karan reciprocated with the same at last year’s IIFA Awards, where he along with Saif Ali Khan and Varun Dhawan mocked Kangana over the ‘Nepotism’ controversy. Though both the stars met recently at Karan’s new show India’s Next Superstar, their differences have yet not ended.

Mega-flops: The year 2017 can easily be termed as the year of mega-flops. Where surprisingly movies made on small budgets did a commendable business, but movies of megastars like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan tanked at the box office. The flop list is long and never ending. Some of them include: ‘ Sarkar 3 ’ - Amitabh Bachchan, ‘ Simran ’ - Kangana Ranaut, ‘ Rangoon ’ – Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj, ‘ Jab Harry Met Sejal ’ – Shah Rukh Khan, ‘ Jagga Jasoos ’ – Ranbir Kapoor, ‘ Tubelight ’ – Salman Khan

Sequels: Where the big films tanked at the big office, the sequel mantra worked pretty well in 2017. Almost all the sequels that released in the past year tasted success. Few successful sequels of 2017 are as follows:

Note: All the sequels that came in 2017 did business of more than 150% than their previous installments.

CBFC: Well, CBFC always had an important role in the film industry. Each film of every language has to go through CBFC before its release. But last year saw extreme changes in the CBFC after Pahlaj Nihalani was removed from the post of the Chairperson. Nihalani was elected as the chairperson in 2015 and by the time he was removed, he became a nightmare to the filmmakers. Last year, he rejected to certify the film, ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’, stating there are contagious sex scenes. He even asked the makers of ‘Raabta’ to remove the kissing scene. If this was not enough, Nihalani asked the makers of ‘Babumoshai Bandookbaaz’ for a total of 48 cuts. Soon before the release of ‘Babumoshai Bandookbaaz’, Nihalani was removed from the chairperson post and the movie was passed without any cuts. The current chairperson of the CBFC is screenwriter and composer, Prasoon Joshi.

Newton: As we earlier said, though the year 2017 didn’t see many successful movies, out of the blue some small budgeted ones turned out to be surprise hits. One such movie was ‘ Newton ’. The Rajkummar Rao starrer film was based on the backdrops of rational voting in Naxal areas. Made on a very small budget, the movie was critically and commercially successful and was chosen as India’s official entry for the 91st Academy Awards. Though the film couldn’t make it to the final list of the Oscars, India got a superstar in the making, in the form of talented, Rajkummar Rao.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha: Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, ‘ Toilet: Ek Prem Katha ’ stars Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar and revolves around the story of a couple that took the issue of non-availability of toilets seriously. The movie was entertaining as well as full of social message. Director Shree Narayan succeeded in spreading the message that one should use a proper toilet rather than settling in an open space. The beautiful message was even praised by the technology supergiant, Bill Gates, and he put the movie on his list of 7 best things that happened in 2017.

Newcomers: Well, the year 2017 didn’t see many newcomers debuting in Hindi films, but it saw the preparation and handwork of newcomers that are going to shine in 2018. The newcomers cum star-kids made it our list because even before their big debuts, they managed to create a storm over social media by just their single glimpse. Few newcomers that are now not so new faces and we already know them, are: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Sara Ali Khan, Karan Deol, Utkarsh Sharma, Rohan Mehra, Banita Sandhu, Aayush Sharma, Ahan Shetty and many more.

Deaths: As 2017 was full of ups and downs, it also claimed the lives of some shining gems of Indian cinema. Many veterans that entertained us for decades left us in 2017. Legends that breathed their last in 2017 include: Shashi Kapoor (Actor), Ram Mukherji (Filmmaker), Lekh Tandon (Filmmaker), Reema Lagoo (Actor), Vinod Khanna (Actor), Sitaram Panchal (Actor), Om Puri (Actor)

Padmaavat (Controversy): The ‘ Padmaavat ’ controversy became so severe and ugly that one can use the term ‘Controversy’ as a synonym of ‘ Padmaavat ’. The movie stuck in the whirlpool of controversies ever since its shooting commenced. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was beaten and even the sets were vandalized. All these controversies happened because a communal group from Rajasthan believes that Bhansali is distorting the historical facts and showing Queen Padmini in a non-acceptable shade. The controversy became so serious that the release date got a shift. Initially slated to release on 1st December 2017, the movie is now scheduled to release on 25th January. The makers and actor Deepika Padukone have received death threats for quite a few times now and the protestors still don't want the movie to get released.

Baahubali (Highest grosser): The year 2017 is incomplete without talking about the epic, ‘ Baahubali 2: The Conclusion ’. Though the movie was originally made in the Telugu language, its Hindi dubbed version is still the highest grossing film in the entire Hindi film industry. Directed by S.S. Rajamouli, the film is a continuation of 2015’s mega-blockbuster hit, ‘ Baahubali: The Beginning ’ and it became even a bigger hit than its previous part. Made on a budget of 250 crores, the movie collected more Rs. 1700 crores worldwide and is still running in few Asian countries. The film is great in every aspect, from direction to acting and special effects to cinematography. It is the pride of the nation and no doubts that it deserves a spot on the list.