5 good things about 'Thugs of Hindostan' that no one is talking about
It's all about finding the silver lining.
There is nothing that can redeem Thugs of Hindostan now.
Within a week of its release, the film has been shredded to bits. Several articles, videos, memes have made it clear that if Bollywood is remembered by anything in 2018, apart from the #MeToo movement and the wedding ceremonies it offers from time to time, it has to be the failure of Thugs of Hindostan.
But there’s always a silver lining.
Like, after seeing the distress of his colleagues in the face of severe criticism, Shah Rukh Khan has offered a few kind words about the film. Public opinion has apparently been too harsh and the contribution of Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan to the industry can’t be doubted. Well, no one doubted that. But it was nice to see the industry coming closer at the time of disasters!
Similarly, there are many other positives to take away. Thugs did something really good — and not everything here is said in sarcasm.
1. First Big B movie to enter Rs 100 crore club
Surprising but true. This is Amitabh Bachchan’s first movie to have entered the Rs 100-crore club, say reports. The club is not a big deal any more in Bollywood though, following the advent of the Rs 200-crore and Rs 300-crore clubs. The Khans are the proud members of the club — they are making, breaking and remaking their records.
But in today’s date, it must sound surprising that not even a Big B film among the corpus of his 200-odd films made it to the club earlier (though it is quite logical, given the budget of his blockbusters). But it's something to chew on!
2. Suraiyya song (full) released on YouTube
We have seen Sheila, Kamli et al. So, it was predictable that we'd not get very enthusiastic when the trailer of the movie dropped with Katrina Kaif’s 'Suraiyya' doing inhuman “stomach-churning” belly moves.
Then came the teaser of 'Suraiyya', a much-loved song of the movie, along with its “hideous” lyrics.
We were told that the entire song is only for those who book a ticket and visit the hall to watch the “disaster”.
It might have spurred on some Katrina fans. But the number of them on day one must have been telling.
So, just the day after the movie was released, the full video came on YouTube.
At least the video could bring back some part of the huge money the producers betted on Amitabh and Aamir Khan — and Suraiyya!
3. Aamir Khan had forgotten the taste of failure. Well!
Back-to-back successes have perhaps robbed Aamir Khan of the taste of failure for quite a few years. As he was on his way to become the King Midas of Bollywood, Thugs comes as a speed-breaker.
Once in a while, we may all need that.
However, the makers have some plans up their sleeves. It seems that they don’t want Aamir to relive the taste.
According to reports, a Chinese version of Thugs will be churned out soon, with edited roles of Amitabh and Fatima, as Aamir Khan is more famous than the duo in China.
As long as it does not become a big hit in China though, there’s no harm in taking a journey down those bumpy Mela days.
4. Who's nostalgic about Lagaan?
The failed portrayals of the East India Company in Thugs must have moved many to go home and rewatch Lagaan (2001) — another Aamir Khan movie, but of simpler and successful times. With far better Brits.
5. Who remembers Alla Rakha?
Alla Rakha was Amitabh Bachchan's pet eagle in Coolie (1983). It's quite natural to have completely forgotten him. But not after you watch Thugs, which apparently has Alla Rakha reincarnated, essaying the role of conscience in the movie.
See, it's all about perspective!