2010, A Dry Spell?

2009 was a year which witnessed a producers exhibitors strike which lead to a period of no films being released. In an already busy year with loads of big releases, audiences then witnessed several big films clashing at the box office at the same day as there were more films on release for this year, then there were available fridays to release them.

However, things seem to be drastically different for next year. An unusual problem for a film industry which churns out the maximum number of films annually as compared to anywhere in the world there are hardly any films set to release the second half of next year!

Post May which is supposed to see the release of Mani Ratnam's 'Ravaana', where are the big films? Ashutosh Gowariker's 1930's based on the Chittigong Uprising 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey' is scheduled to release in the last 3 months of 2010 and maybe we'll get to see Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Guzarish'

and Karan Johar's stepmom remake. But keeping in mind that these films have just begun filmming, one can never be too sure as to whether these films will make it to release in 2010. Post 'Dulha Mil Gaya' and 'My Name Is Khan', Shah Rukh is unlikely to have any releases next year as he gets into the filmming of 'Ra.1' and then 'Don 2'. Aamir won't have any major releases and at most we will see him in his wife's directorial debut, 'Dhobi Ghaat', which will not be anywhere as wide a release as 'Ghajini' was or '3 Idiots'

will be. Saif too is getting into pre production of 'Agent Vinod' as well as 'Race 2' but neither are like to hit theaters next year. Salman's 'Veer' will release in January post which he doesn't have any big film lined up. The story is the same for most of the industry's top line talent.

So will the dry spell in 2010 lead to better quality cinema in 2011 or will it lead to makers rushing to make quickies to catch the free fridays of 2010?