Tags: Akshay Kumar , Aamir , Shahrukh , Bollywood

This year has certainly not been a cheerful one for Bollywood. The film industry is still struggling to churn out blockbusters. If one was to look at the number of hits that the world's second largest film industry has churned out, it has been a below average year for Bollywood. Barring Singh is Kinng, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Fashion, Rock On and Dostana, there had been no blockbusters hits this year. However, near the end of the year Ghajini nand Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi brought some respite

2008 has been an unhappy year for Bollywood. A majority of its offerings have bitten the dust including much hyped Drona, Love Story 2050 and Yuvraaj. Although Bachna Ae Haseeno slightly pulled up the swinging graph of Bollywood, but films like God Tussi Great Ho, Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam and Chamku sank the graph further.

Starting with a super hit like Jodha Akbar gave the year a jump start but unfortunately many duds like Sunday, One Two Three and Tashan followed! Saif Ali Khan, Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu and Akshay Khanna starrer Race in the beginning of the year provided a breather in between the flops while U Me Aur Hum and Jannat were also average fares. In comparison last year had seen back to back hits like Namastey London, Cheeni Kum, Partner, Guru, Chak De India, The Namesake and later on films like Bhool Bhuliya, Jab We Met, Om Shanti Om, Welcome and Taare Zameen Par. Unfortunately this year just does not live up as the list of hits is small while the list of flops just does not seem to end! Even big star cast movies like Bhoothnath and Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic have disappointed audiences.

So what are the reasons for the flop movies? Well starting with Love Story 2050 – a new star who supposedly resembles Hrithik Roshan has tried but failed to copy the superstar who has given huge hits like Jodha Akbar, Dhoom 2 and Koi Mil Gaya. And then imagination is one thing but in 32 years we will have time machines, talking and working bears, robots, id chips etc – wowwww, isn't that stretching one's imagination a bit too much? Lets not talk about 2:35 hr torture anymore which had a bad script and the lead actor Harman definitely needs some polishing. Moving on to the comedies of the year, “Krazzy 4” and “Sunday” had no good humor and were not all funny. “Halla Bol”, “Superstar”, “Bombay to Bangkok” had bad music and scripts while “One Two Three” – was another pathetic film and Paresh Rawal selling undergarments… no comments!!!!

The biggest flop of the year was hands down ‘Tashan' followed by Jimmy, the debut of Mithun Charkraborty's son Mimoh tied with films like ‘Haal-E-Dil', ‘Dhoom Dhadaka', ‘Mr. White Mr. Black' and the recent ‘Money Hai Toh Honey Hai' and ‘Mission Istanbul'. You can't stop yourself from thinking, what has happened to Bollywood? Horrible scripts, below expectation story lines and at times poor acting has led to so many duds this year!

However, a string of experimental films like Arjun, Farhan Akhtar starrer Rock On, newcomer Imraan Khan starrer Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion and fun flick Dostana worked with the multiplex audience. Kismat Konnection mau have received average reviews but the film has performed decently well in many areas. Moviemakers, distributors and exhibitors are all now pinning their hopes on Shahrukh and Aamir Khan. The month of December was comparatively much powerpacked. Shahrukh Khan's Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Aamir's Ghajini were the much awaited films of the year and generated huge revenues that saved an otherwise ordinary year. Since these movies have clicked the audience, we can hope that the year 2009 will start on an optimistic note.

It has been an especially bad year for star sons like Harman Baweja and Abhishek Bachchan with their big-budget ventures failing at the box office.


The Year of Debutants

Recession or no recession, Bollywood continues to attract newcomers as always. It was a good year for young talents in Bollywood, who not only made their presence felt in the industry but also ensured success at the Box-Office.

While some made it big at the box-office there were others who failed to impress despite receiving a hyped launch pad.

Imran Khan became the heartthrob this year with his chocolate-looks and natural acting in his debut 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa' which was directed by debutant Abbas Tyrrewala.

However, Harman Baweja, son of filmmaker Harry Baweja, who was touted to be the next big thing failed to impress audiences with his futuristic sci-fi multi-crore budgeted 'Love Story 2050'.

The film bombed at theatres despite the much hyped chemistry between Priyanka Chopra and Harman. The debutant actor also struggled with constant comparisons to superstar Hritik Roshan in both looks and dancing style.

But clearly the underdog of the year was Farhan Akhtar, who had given films like 'Dil Chahta Hai' and 'Don'.

Farhan made an impressive acting debut with 'Rock On' a film, which will also be remembered for its different from the league story. Shahana Goswami and director Abhishek Kapoor also made their debut with the film, which was a success at the Box Office.

It was also a successful launch pad for Prachi Desai, who is famous for her character 'Bani' in Ekta Kapoor's serial 'Kasam Se.'

A number of first time directors also tried their luck with unconventional plots. The debutant directors who were successful in making an impact include Abbas Tyrewala (Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na), Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat), Neeraj Pandey (A Wednesday), Rajkumar Gupta (Aamir) and Tarun Mansukhani (Dostana).

Bollywood gets fitness freak

After Shah Rukh Khan's much talked about six-pack abs in last year's blockbuster Om Shanti Om, this year, it is Aamir Khan who made headlines for his fitness. The actor seems to have worked really hard for ‘Ghajini'.

Actor Salman Khan decided to move a step ahead and thought of getting up, close and personal with his fans. After a group of actors, Salman thought of sharing his fitness tips with his fans and thus, decided to write a book on the subject.

Kareena's size zero was warmly welcomed by the teens but heavily criticized by the nutritionists. The lady came out to justify her move and gave her secrets to the beautiful body. Kareena made ‘power yoga' a fad amongst girls.

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