Khan is back bigger than ever in his first major release sinceZeroin 2018.
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DEADLINE: Bollywood has had a difficult few years during the pandemic.
From your perspective, why hasPathaanbroken the drought?
Pathaan was the top-grossing film in India Jan-June 2023Yash Raj Films
SIDDHARTH ANAND:Ill talk from the audience perspective, rather than my perspective.
Recently weve had stars trying to do things that are a bit different.
But stars should choose films as stars and not as actors.
We know he can act, thats why hes survived all these years.
And that was why Shah Rukh chose to doPathaan.
And thats what the audience wanted to see.
DEADLINE: So Shah Rukh Khan is back?
Big stars are back?
Its the same with Hrithik inWar, which also opened with big numbers.
And the line between those two things is very clear.
DEADLINE: So you think theatrical and streaming can coexist?
These two mediums will coexist.
We just need to understand the difference and read the writing on the wall.
DEADLINE: Are you personally interested in making OTT content?
And I would be lying if I said that box office doesnt matter.
Those numbers coming in, the love pouring in, and the videos of audiences dancing to your songs.
Theres no greater gratification for a filmmaker.
Were you worried that would have a negative impact on the film?
ANAND:All I know is they tried to boycottPathaanand audiences came out in large numbers and supported it.
It has to be substantiated with some facts and some reality.
What they were trying to do withPathaanwas just ridiculous and the audience has given its verdict.
Thats why the film has done such big numbers.
HasPathaanbeen a hit across the whole country?
And are families turning out for the film?
Its also firing in all territories.
Earlier it was a little slow in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh because people were afraid of protests.
That was on the first day.
But by evening, the numbers started increasing.
DEADLINE: In what sense arePathaan,Warand theTigerfilms connected in the YRF Spy Universe?
ANAND:WarandPathaanare the first two original films coming of that universe following theTigerfilms.
Kabir, the character played by Hrithik inWar, and Shah RukhsPathaancharacter, are my creations.
So hopefully going forward well have a lot more fun with that.
How is it developing in India?
ANAND:Its very nascent right now.
Were still learning in terms of VFX, directors and technicians.
DEADLINE: Apart from further films in the YRF Spy Universe, what else is next for you?
We plan to release that next year.
Im also producing a Hindi remake ofRambowith Tiger Shroff.
We licensed the rights from Millennium Films and plan to start shooting at the end of this year.
