India’s superhero film Ra.One, billed as the most expensive Bollywood film to date, releases on Wednesday to coincide with the Hindu festival of Diwali. The film will open in about 5,000 screens worldwide. In India, it will be shown in more than 3,500 screens.
The film stars superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role who appears to be a cross between Spiderman and Ironman. Mr Khan, who is also the producer, is engaged in an aggressive marketing blitz to promote the film.
Some trade analysts say the film has already recovered 70% of the costs. Full-page newspaper advertisements, film merchandising, video and online games, and iPhone-iPad applications have been used to publicise it.
Ra.One, an effects-laden blockbuster, is believed to have cost $30m (£21m). With a simultaneous international release timed to coincide with the Diwali festival, the film is expected to be a lucrative box office hit.
Director Anubhav Sinha has in the past described the film as a “sci-fi, comedy, romance, father-son relationship, superhero, good over evil fight to save the world”. The film also stars actors Kareen Kapoor and Arjun Rampal. The musical score has been done by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.
The film, initially scheduled for release in June, has suffered delays due to the extensive special effects and 3D production work.
Shah Rukh Khan brings ‘Ra.One’ to UK
Shah Rukh Khan sent his fans wild Tuesday at the U.K. premiere of his new Bollywood blockbuster “Ra.One.” The Hindi film icon and co-stars Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal received a huge reception on the red carpet at London’s 02 Arena.
“Ra.One” sees Khan take the lead as Shekhar, an embarrassing father who creates an amazing game in a bid to impress his streetwise son.
Unfortunately, the plan backfires when the game turns against them.
A 3D science fiction-superhero adventure may seem like quite a change from usual Bollywood films, but Khan insists that it’s “not so different.” “We still have singing and dancing, so it’s all there,” he said.
Indian media say the special effects-heavy movie is set to be Bollywood’s biggest-ever release, opening in approximately 5,000 screens worldwide. Khan, however, says it’s not been made to try to compete with Hollywood blockbusters.
“I think one of the few things we need to go ahead in is the technology and the way we make our films and tell our stories,” he said. “So yeah, it’s a step towards that, but it would be too big to say that it would compete with an international film.”
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