They say, “Hope for the Best, Expect the worst”. Very well applies to our Great Indian Film Industry. We saw some real publicity outbursts and marketing gimmicks. A year filled with controversial gossip, exaggerated stories, illustrious descriptions and some really good syndication.

Year 2007 experienced mania on the blogosphere with hundreds of reviews per movie release, followed by thousands of discussions and arguments. With the web culture, Bollywood got a better focus because of comprehensive analysis and the ‘very critical’ critics’ views.

With India’s socio-economic progress, Multiplex rates also progressed a lot. It was important for people to judge if a movie is worth spending so much. A few crashed their hope, others renewed it.

Here are the top hits and misses of 2007:

Chakde! India!

In 2007 came a film, which was never expected to do so good. A film that introduced sports awareness through it’s medium. Chakde India was a really well presented and wonderfully directed flick which took audiences into the hockey field.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa

Being terrified was out of question because people were overjoyed with Priyadarshan’s slapstick humor. We don’t know if the director wanted us to actually be afraid, but he archived what he wanted, by grossing a few crores and giving us a nice time. Akshay Kumar saw his success with the gorgeous Vidya Balan.

Heyy Babyy

Sajid Khan did it… with all his guts and glamor he managed to win many hearts. Heyy Babyy was a pure entertainer, with scenes full of beautiful locations and beautiful women, all that masala spiced up movie goers.

Guru

Gurubhai ne dil jeet liya sabka, audience ke dil jeeta producers ka. The Abhi-Ash jodi did their thing in their story Guru. Showing the dramatic moves of a business tycoon, the film uplifted people with a stunning biographic storyline.

Jab We Met

People love romance on screen. And with the much awaited Shahid-Kareena combination, the movie rocked well. Girls seemed to have liked it more, because of Kareena’s expressive character and the chemistry with Shahid, which was very nice.

Om Shanti Om

When it’s Diwali time, we wait for Bollywood masala like Om shanti om. Shahrukh Khan played two roles, one as the old Om and the other as the reincarnated one, which just meant double the excitement for the audience. We also saw the new celebrity Deepika emerge with her outstanding beauty. Om shanti om was undoubtedly one of the best hits of 2007.

Taare Zameen Par

Another claim for the best of 2007, Taare Zameen Par is doing exceptionally well. Eventhough it makes you cry, it’s for a very good reason. Amazing performances and direction have promised this movie to very well stretch it into 2008. A sure must-watch.

Some 2007 movies that were a disappointment, people avoided watching them even on cable TV, commonly played in Volvo buses though.

Saawariya ha ha ha!

New stars! Sanjay Leela Bhansali! We saw the height of hype and publicity. Diwali time and people impulsively overcrowded the theatres for this true blue exposure. Thermocol sets and plastic smiles soon revealed that Saawariya is too artistic to comprehend. And not value for money at-all. Dozens of reviews were published, most criticizing, many diplomatic. On the BookEazy blog, we had a tournament between hopeless romantics versus hopeful ones.

Ram Gopal Verma ki Kya?

RGV set a bonfire and extinguished it all by himself. We all were expecting some real fire, but turned out to be a disaster. We could see Nisha Kothari as the only combustible material, but she also has some hot competitors around. Better luck next year RGV!

Ghoom Barabar Ghoom

The multi starer with no twinkling stars.

Laagi Chunari Mein Aag

The movie came and flew away like a chunri. Everybody expected to see Rani Mukherjee in her new look with that ‘appeal’, but didn’t really work.

Nishabd and Jiah Khan

So much hype, very beautiful posters but crashed the ticket sales.

Salaam-e-eeks

Anyone would have fallen for a multi-starer like this, but sorry, didn’t work at-all.

Buddha Mar Gaya, film bhi mar gayi

Only a few went for this one, only to see Rakhi Sawant. No wonder with really high hopes, some movies can fall apart.

…and the story goes on in 2008.

A Very Happy New Year to All!