The Box Office Smiles on New York

It took a while for it to happen, but the year's first proper hit has finally happened and the film is none other Yash Raj Films' New York, starring John Abraham, Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh. It may be hard to believe, but if trade reports are to believed, then this movie seems to have managed to best even Sajid Nadiadwala's Kambakkht Ishq, which had a phenomenal opening of 95 per cent all over.

Now it remains to be seen if Kambakkhth Ishq can keep up the momentum. But the drought at the box office has been broken and New York can safely be called the first genuine hit of 2009. Of course, the year also saw films like Raaz The Mystery Continues and Dev D which did pretty good business as well at the box office. But the year had far too many flops than hits like Chandni Chowk To China, Billu, Delhi 6, Aa Dekhen Zara, 8x10 Tasveer etc. It may not have taken so long for the year's first hit to arrive if the feud between the multiplex owners and producers had not taken place. The trend of the hits and flops this year shows that it is the content which is king at the box office. With the floodgates at the box office being open now, there is a glut of films which are waiting eagerly for their turn at the box office like Shortkut The Con Is On, Luck, Love Aaj Kal, Blue, Kaminey, Dil Bole Hadippa, What's Your Rashee?, Kites, 3 Idiots, Rocket Singh Salesman of the Year, De Dana Dan, London Dreams, All The Best, Aladin, Wake Up Sid, etc. But before they hit the box office, it will be worth the watch to see if Kambakkht Ishq joins New York as the year's hits or not.