One of Indian cinema’s most highly anticipated films ‘Brahmastra: Part One Shiva’ is geared up for its grand theatrical release in a week on 9th September 2022. Ayan Mukerji’s massively mounted venture is also one of the most expensive Indian films ever made and features an ensemble cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Nagarjuna, and Mouni Roy, amongst others.
So, the stakes couldn’t be higher this time. And the anxiety over Brahmastra’s theatrical performance is palpable especially considering the underwhelming domestic box-office response of Aamir Khan’s recently released film ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’.
Although the makers of ‘Brahmastra’ are pulling out all the stops to promote the film that has been in the making for several years, there is one aspect which the makers could focus upon. The film is releasing in India in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada languages. But it seems that in other important markets like the US, ‘Brahmastra’ is being released in its native Hindi language with English subtitles.
For English speaking movie going audiences in places like the US, team ‘Brahmastra’ should, or should have, released an English dubbed version alongside the Hindi version (or exclusively the English version).
Because even though one school of thought opines that films in their native languages with English subtitles are usually appreciated in other regions, nevertheless, there is a sizable chunk of cinephiles who prefer to watch a film in their own native language without subtitles. So that they could totally enjoy the stunning frames and the narrative per se.
Having said that, we are aware that S.S Rajamouli’s action extravaganza ‘RRR’ was immensely admired by the audiences in the US despite the film being showcased in its original Telugu version with English subtitles.
But suppose a simultaneous English dubbed version of ‘RRR’, after doing a cost-benefit analysis, was released alongside the Telugu version, we guess there was no harm in doing that. Why restrict a certain segment of English-speaking audiences to watch the film in theatres? But is it too late now for ‘Brahmastra’? Perhaps. But never say never.
Even now, if there is enough time and the film’s budget and resources permit, ‘Brahmastra’ should be released in US and other regions in an English dubbed format – to fully capitalize on the target market of English-speaking audiences.
With a film like ‘RRR’ getting massive appreciation from American moviegoers, team ‘Brahmastra’ should bank upon the ‘RRR’ hype and seriously think about the pros and cons of releasing their film in the US in a language which they understand. We earnestly hope that Ayan Mukerji’s super ambitious film ‘Brahmastra’ performs exceedingly well, becoming a turning point in Indian cinema and India’s glorious answer to Marvel.
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