Shifting idea of blockbuster films: Nikkhil Advani discloses cost of making Kal Ho Naa Ho

Bollywood is known to make Rs 500 crore to Rs 1000 crore with its blockbuster films. Whether it be a love story, family drama or action, there is an audience for every genre in India. More than the narrative, somehow the box office collection has become a bigger parameter of a film’s success now. However, Kal Ho Naa Ho maker Nikkhil Advani expressed that he does not believe in today's definition of a blockbuster.

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, he said, “Three or four years ago, the kind of feature films that were being made, there was hope for middle of the road cinema, which has vanished now. Either you made a blockbuster that earns Rs 600-800 crore, otherwise you aren’t doing anything.”  

Advani’s idea of a blockbuster 

Adding that he is hopeful, Advani said, “I am very hopeful that it will shift back again. I would love to see the ‘Ayushmann Khurrana genre’ of films, they were so good. The definition of a blockbuster today is Rs 800 crore. I am not in a position to not have another definition, it has to be Rs 500 crore-plus". 

Kal Ho Naa Ho 

Advani disclosed the budget of his film Kal Ho Naa Ho, reminding that it is remembered for its story line, cast, and music; not just the box office collection. “Earlier, we could make a Kal Ho Naa Ho and no one used to care for how much it was made for and how it’s doing. It was made for Rs 32 crore. If you talk in terms of the inflation today, it would have made more than Rs 1000 crore. Understand the equity and soft power Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai have given to YRF and Dharma. It is too huge. One can’t use that concept now, today it’s only about these big numbers,” he said. 

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Talking about how much people have loved the film, he said, “People still say, ‘Wow what a film’, or ‘ Why did you kill Shah Rukh Khan in the end?’ For me, what is a blockbuster? It should be memorable 10 years later. People are still talking about that cool chain, Polo sport T-shirt and Rani’s mini skirt. Today, we are only talking about Rs 800 crore!”