TOP GROSSING BOLLYWOOD MOVIES OF "2011"

The year 2011 saw a diverse range of Bollywood flicks hit the screens, the themes ranging from real life sagas to sci-fi and experimental to sentimental dramas. Not only the films saw many fresh faces making it big in the industry but also some power packed performances from the leading stars. Here we give below, the top 5 grossing movies in Bollywood in the year 2011 so far:

BODYGUARD

This definitely was a Salman Khan year as twoof his flicks ‘Bodyguard’ and ‘Ready’ made in ‘Dabangg’ style made it big this year. The movie grossed Rs. 22 crores, with power packed performances from Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor under the direction of Atul Agnihotri. Salman’s signature dialogue – “Mujh par ek ehsaan karna ki mujh par koi ehsaan na karna” – once again struck a chord with fans.

RA ONE

One of the most awaited, most ambitious and high budgeted films of 2011. Ra. One turned out to churn profits for SRK’s production house. Though the film failed to impress the critics, exaggerated promotion, World class VFX, amazing graphics, innovative marketing, tie-ups with multiple brands and Shah Rukh Khan as the superhero helped the film rake moolah at the box-office.

READY

Another one from Salman Khan, this was yet again a comedy under the direction of Aneez Bazmee. The film had Salman Khan and Asin Thottumkal in the lead and had some picturesque scenes from the exotic locales of Thailand.

ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA

A tight script based on three bachelors dealing with their friendship and romance and some pwer packed performances from the lead cast of Hrtihik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar, with Kalki Koechlin and Katrina Kaif as their love interests made the film a big hit of this year. The songs of the film held on to the top positions at almost all the music stations for a considerable span this year.

THE DIRTY PICTURE

Based on the life of the South siren Silk Smitha, this controversial film  was very much in news even before it hit the screens, courtesy Vidya Balan’s sensuous curvy looks in the promos of the film. Vidya Balan swept both the classes and the masses off their feet with her bold avatar in Ekta Kapoor’s “The Dirty Picture”.

RANI MUKHERJEE - SOUTH HAS RAJNIKANTH AND WE HAVE SALMAN

Bollywood most wanted, Rani Mukherjee has finally shed her recluse image. Now, post the success of her last film, the actress is more forthcoming to media interactions and also loves to go beyond political correctness at times.

Now, at the crossroads of a new dawn in her career, Rani Mukherjee is kicked about working in films that are bigger in concepts than budgets. Though she might be doing a film opposite Aamir in Reema Kagti's next, but Rani chooses to keep mum on that topic. According to her, "I will only speak about my film with Aamir once it nears the release date. Till then I am not going to utter a word about it."

Talking about her co-actors so far, Rani cannot stop herself from going gaga over Salman Khan. According to Rani, "He is a cult figure. Just as south has Rajnikanth, we have Salman Khan. He is so adorable and good looking; I would say he is the real rockstar."

Rani is lately being credited with bringing the feminist movement back to bollywood. Talking about women-centric films, Rani adds, "The audiences are gradually warming up to women centric films and unless they come out in huge numbers to watch such films, they cannot be made on a large scale. I think with time it will happen."

With Rani getting more media savvy by the day, hope she does not go back being the pretty recluse again.

ASIN - WANTS TO DO AN ITEM NUMBER

Going by the craze that item numbers are generating in Bollywood, the latest victim of this popular Bollywood format is actress Asin.

A close hand reveals, "Asin, who was so far trapped in the girl-next-door image, is trying hard to come out of it. Now, she is thinking of taking the item-number route to shed the image. We hear the actress is sending feelers across to filmmakers about her openness to shed her past image and some clothes too."

READY, which is Asin's latest film opposite Salman is generating euphoria for its item song "character dheela", which sadly for Asin does not feature her. Now, looking at the popularity items songs are generating, Asin is dying to sign one at the earliest.

With Asin already considering a two piece act in HOUSEFULL 2 and now a new found love for item songs, let's hope the actress is able to pull off this image makeover act convincingly.

READY and DOUBLE DHAMAAL: HOPES FOR 2011

The success rate during the first half of 2011 has been rather low. Yes, there was the World Cup Cricket and there is the ongoing IPL, but still that is no excuse for just four clean successes- YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA, NO ONE KILLED JESSICA, TANU WEDS MANU and the recent HAUNTED.

Interestingly, the first three above mentioned movies came at the beginning of the year itself and the last, that is HAUNTED (still running), in the fifth month. Agreed that there have been a few small budgeted ventures like CHALO DILLI and RAGINI MMS too and a couple of big ones like THANK YOU and DUM MAARO DUM getting limited success but the year is yet to see a real blockbuster.

However, all that is about to change, and if trade and distribution buzz is anything to go by the first half of the year is going to conclude with a double bonanza.

Obviously we are referring to Anees Bazmee's Salman Khan starrer, READY, and Indra Kumar's multistarrer, DOUBLE DHAMAAL. Both the films are tipped to be hot and likely to embark on a huge initial. Even the feedback of the audience to the teasers of the two films has been quite positive and both are awaited with a high degree of expectation.

Here's hoping for a blockbuster conclusion to the first half of the year as we are 'ready' for a 'double dhamaal' in the vacation month of June!

SALMAN KHAN IN "READY"

Salman Khan mania is all set to hit you as he is 'back to bang'! After WANTED and DABANGG, expectations are high from his upcoming film, "READY". And if the promo is anything to go by, it looks like a fun ride, full of masala.

The promo, starring the quintessential Salman, is high on dance, romance, masti, and action. Salman is seen doing some crazy dance steps, which have the potential of becoming a rage. He is also mouthing some kick-ass dialogues, the best of them being 'Zindagi mein 3 cheez kabhi underestimate nahin karna- I, me and myself'. Salman's love interest in the film, Asin is looking gorgeous as ever.

The theatrical also has a peppy Dhinkachaka song playing in the background. It shows how Sallu bhai is fighting for his pyaar.

Directed by Annes Bazmee, READY is the remake of a successful Telegu film of the same name. It also stars Paresh Rawal, Arya Babbar and Mahesh Manjrekar in supporting roles.

The promotional campaign of READY has begun on a high note and the buzz will surely get stronger as the June 3 release date comes closer. Make sure you get 'ready' soon!

SALMAN KHAN IN ANEES BAZMEE "READY"

Currently being shot in Mumbai Ready from the house of T-Series starring superstar Salman Khan and Asin is already creating a stir in industry circles much before it's release.

After breaking all box office records with his last film Dabangg Salman Khan is back at his comic best in "Ready" directed by Anees Bazmee of Singhh is King and Welcome fame.

Produced by music giant T-Series Ready also reunites Salman Khan and Bhushan Kumar

Says Bhushan Kumar "The schedule of "Ready" is moving smoothly and it's been great fun working with Salman -We share a great friendship not to mention a fantastic working equation .It's overwhelming to see his commitment towards the movie. He is a thorough professional and is always there with interesting inputs wherever need be.. .As far as Salman is concerned, he is like family"

The man with the Midas touch says that his film has just the right ingredients that will have audiences asking for more.

"I was always looking for a script which has everything and I found that in Ready. The film has lots of humor, there are 2-3 action sequences which Salman fans will love, there are a lot of dramatic sequences, and we also have good scope for music. In short it's a total masala entertainer with proper story and screenplay." adds Bhushan Kumar.