It's that time of the year again. No, we are not talking about the fun and merriment that the year end brings. That is obviously there. But let's accept it, apart from the sense of bonhomie, the year end also makes us introspect, look back, reminisce and plan for the year ahead. While we are sure that you must have taken stock of the year you have had and made resolutions for 2019 already, we are here to do the thinking for Bollywood. Yes, we are talking about the year that Bollywood has had.
2018 has been a box full of surprises for the Hindi film industry and if you have been following us, you would know what we are talking about. From the Khans not being able to crack the box office code to Taimur ruling the roost with his cuteness - we have told you about it all. But don't worry, if in case you have missed out on something, we are here to list it down for you, giving you an overview of the year that was. Take a read:
A - Ayushmann Khurrana
Unless you were living under a rock, you should know what we are talking about. This has been the year of Ayushmann Khurrana. The actor has scored both - critics' approval as well as box office numbers. And isn't that something?
B - Babita Kumari
What, you haven't heard? Babita Kumari is apni Katrina Kaif's character in Zero. She deserves a mention here simply because with this performance, Kat has finally shut her detractors and proved that she can indeed ACT.
C - Chat shows
Bollywood seemed to be in the mood to spill the beans this year. A lot of chat shows sprang up. Apart from the new season of the popular Koffee With Karan and NoFilter Neha, there was Vogue BFFs, What Women Want, Calling Karan that got celebs talking and we loved what they had to say.
D - Debuts
Unlike other years, which mark the debuts of several newbies, 2018 saw very few but quite noteworthy starlets making their foray in the world of showbiz. Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, Banita Sandhu, Sara Ali Khan - all made their presence felt in the debut performances.
E - Experimental movies
'Tis was the year of experimental movies. When else has a Veere Di Wedding, that talks about female sexuality, and Badhaai Ho, a film that tackles the topic of parents' sex lives, been made in Bollywood and seen a good response at the ticket windows?
F - Flops
While we would like to turn a blind eye towards this part, it is important to accept the failures too in order to succeed. And this year has been the biggest example of the fact that a bad script won't sell. Take Namaste England or Thugs of Hindostan as examples. Despite star power these films flopped because the audience isn't ready to accept sub-par content.
G - GenX
We are talking about the Insta stars here. Be it Ananya Panday, Suhana Khan or Aaliya F or Ahaan Panday - these star kids are already going places, proving that you don't need to make a debut to be famous on social media.
H - Hits
Quite a lot of films managed to score with the audience this year. Padmaavat, Padman, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Race 3, Baaghi 2, Sanju, Stree, Raazi, Badhaai Ho, Hichki - all delivered at the ticket windows, making 2018 a noteworthy year for Bollywood.
I - Indie films
While we had commercial successes, there were quite a few indie films too that got noticed at the box office this year. With the audience finally being receptive of such films, movies like Love Sonia, Tumbbad, Omerta, Laxmi and Tikli Bomb, Manto managed to get noticed.
J - Jinx
2018 also proved that jinxes can be broken. While it is always said that January is not the ideal time to release films, Padmaavat came along to break the jinx. As did Baaghi 2, which released during the IPL and yet managed to score.
K - Khan fall
2018 also proved that films won't run on Khan power alone. While Salman Khan-starrer Race 3 also met a lukewarm response, Aamir Khan's Thugs of Hindostan was outright rejected and Shah Rukh Khan's Zero is also struggling at the box office.
L - Love is in the air
The year was particularly kind towards those looking for love. And not just that, 2018 also saw couples coming out in the open about their relationship. Be it Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor's subtle social media PDA or Varun Dhawan admitting to dating Natasha Dalal, the year was an exceptional one for lovebirds.
M - MeToo
You must have been hibernating if you don't know about the #MeToo movement that changed the way Bollywood functioned in 2018. After Tanushree Dutta returned to accuse Nana Patekar of sexually abusing her on the sets of Horn Ok Pleasss, a can of worms was opened and everyone - from Alok Nath to Sajid Khan - were accused and lost out on their projects due to it.
N - Newlyweds
A quick recap of the year in pictures, will make you realise that the happiest snaps are from one of the many weddings of the year. Be it Sonam Kapoor's wedding to Anand Ahuja, Neha Dhupia's surprise wedding to Angad Bedi, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh's elusive Lake Como wedding and their many reception parties or Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' East-meets-West big, fat, Indian wedding - we felt like 2018 was one long celebration of love.
O - OTT platforms
In 2018, Bollywood also realised that it didn't have to limit content to the 70mm screen. A lot of OTT platforms offered actors the chance to explore newer characters without the sword of a time-limit or budget hanging on their heads.
P - Parenthood
The year also witnessed several celebs turning parents. While Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi announced the arrival of their baby girl, Mehr, Shahid Kapoor and Misha also turned parents again to baby boy, Zain.
Q - Queens
When on one side, the #MeToo movement gathered steam in Bollywood, on the other hand, women continued to shine. Be it Meghna Gulzar, who stunned us with Raazi or Alia Bhatt who delivered a mind-blowing performance in the same film, Swara Bhasker who didn't bat an eyelid while doing the masturbation scene onscreen or Anushka Sharma, who played a ghost in Pari - this has been the year where women didn't care about appearances when it came to their career.
R - Remakes
No matter how much we want to avoid this one, it is important to point out that this year has been the one of remakes. We have made so many song remakes this year, the '90s want part of the credit in the success of 2018. Be it a Dilbar Dilbar or the more recent Aankh Marey - it was a sense of deja-vu to listen to similar tunes packaged differently and served up this year.
S - Sridevi
The most heartbreaking moment of the year has to be that one, fateful February night when we received news of Sridevi's unfortunate and untimely demise by drowning in a bathtub in Dubai. Later in the year, we also witnessed what will be her last ever scene in Zero.
T - Taimur aka Tim
While the Khans failed to woo the box office, 2018 saw the rise of a new Khan - Taimur, or as he likes to be addressed, Tim. The baby, who turned two only recently, had the nation wrapped around his little fingers. Every time that the tot stepped out, it was a delight! The heights of his fandom, however, was when dolls were made after him. Phew!
U - Universal appeal
Secret Superstar, Hichki, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Hindi Medium, Baahubali 2...if you don't know as to what these films have in common, let us tell you. All these films made money even outside India, transcending borders, to woo the Chinese and Japanese audience with their amazing content.
V - Vicky Kaushal
If this was Ayushmann Khurrana's year, Vicky Kaushal, too, wasn't far behind. With the success of his web-film, Love Per Square Foot, praise for his characters in Raazi, Sanju and Manmarziyaan - Vicky has had a great year. Also, what's more important is that these films got him noticed and he now has an Uri and Takht in his kitty.
W - Wealthy and wise
Unlike last year, when most of the releases had to face the wrath of the audience, 2018 has been pretty cash-rich for the industry. With two Rs 30o crore films in Padmaavat and Sanju, and more than 10 Rs 100 crore plus films, Bollywood didn't have much to complain about as far as the moolah was concerned.
X - Exes
While catfights are quite commonplace in the industry, this year many buried the hatchet. Be it Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif attending Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone's wedding reception or Ranbir and Alia partying with Ranveer and Deepika at Karan Johar's house - this was the year that exes let bygones be bygones.
Y - Yesteryear stars
Like we told you, there were quite a few new names that made a splash in the industry this year but that is not to say that veterans didn't make a mark. Amitabh Bachchan in 102 Not Out, Rishi Kapoor in Mulk, Neena Gupta, Surekha Sikri in Badhaai Ho - everyone had a meaty role that they owned.
Z - Zero
Keeping aside the box office numbers of the film, that we are receiving only now, Zero is on the list because it has been in the news all through the year. Shah Rukh Khan had begun the year by sharing the first picture from the film. Then he treated us to some amazing teasers, before offering us a glimpse of Salman Khan in the film, and finally sharing the trailer with us. Zero had us excited all through the year.
So, that was our round up of the year that was, in Bollywood. Did we miss out on any important events? Let us know in the comments below...
by via Bollywood News and Gossip | Bollywood Movie Reviews, Songs and Videos | Bollywood Actress and Actors Updates | Bollywoodlife.com
