Apurv Shukla
Salman Khan, the biggest Superstar of Hindi Cinema, returns to the Silver Screen with ‘Race 3,’ his first film this year.
The film will be released worldwide on June 15, 2018.
This is the first time that Salman has featured in the ‘Race’ franchise. The previous two instalments of the action-thriller series had Saif Ali Khan as the leading man.
‘Race 3’ also has a new Director in Remo D’Souza.
The Choreographer-turned Director replaces the Abbas- Mustan duo who helmed the other very successful ‘Race’ films.
Jacqueline, Deol et al
Jacqueline Fernandez plays the leading lady opposite Salman for the second time after the blockbuster Kick. Bobby Deol carries on in his quest to make a successful return to Bollywood, after last year’s disappointing ‘Poster Boys.’
Anil Kapoor is the only actor to be featured in all the three ‘Race’ films so far.
He depicts a role far removed from his comedic turn as a police inspector in the first two ‘Race’ films.
Thrilling audiences
This franchise is based on the template of giving audiences edge of the seat thrillers, with plenty of twists and turns.
An underlying theme of the ‘Race’ films has been that all its characters have grey shades. It makes the films unpredictable and exciting.
Good music has been a constant in all these films. ‘Race 3’ also marks the debut of Salman Khan as the film’s distributor alongside producing the thriller.
Today’s audiences are spoilt for choice when it comes to modes of entertainment.
Internet intensifies competition
Internet has transformed the way people consume content.
Streaming services have brought the best of world and local television into people’s drawing rooms. The recent successes of ‘Avengers’ and ‘Dead Pool 2’ at the Box Office reaffirms the fact that Hindi cinema now has strong competition from Hollywood.
Good content presented engagingly also leads to strong box office returns.
A case in point is the Alia Bhatt starrer ‘Raazi,’ which was released last month.
The First Look
All of this means the first look and trailer of a Hindi film should generate excitement and curiosity for the film. This is where ‘Race 3’ has had a disappointing start.
The trailer has been poor and widely panned. It looks like a rehash of the first two ‘Race’ films mixed with Salman’s star power. The trailer gives the feeling of being there and done that in the film’s context.
One Man Army
The film’s USP right since its inception has been the one man hit machine- Salman Khan. ‘Race 3’ will be released during Eid Al Fitr after the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Eid and Salman have now become synonymous for big ticket releases, which turn out to be super successes.
‘Race 3’ will be his Eighth release over this auspicious period.
The only aberration to this success story has been ‘Tubelight,’ released during Eid last year. But it was a film in which Salman tried to change his image from an action star to a regular everyday person trying to do good.
The outright rejection of the film at the box office clearly proved the avatar Salman fans liked to see him on screen.
‘Race 3’ has Salman catering to the wishes of the masses.
The film has been mounted lavishly and shot in exotic locations.
‘Race’ is a successful brand with a strong recall value. Add Salman Khan and Eid to the mix -this race to Box Office glory is one which the film is favoured to win.
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‘Race 3’ Collage Courtesy: The Hindustan Times
