Aamir Khan, the Director Vs. Akshay Kumar, the Entertainer.

If only Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol had been in the running among this week’s Bollywood releases, we could have been in for much louder Box-Office dhamaka, something even King Khan wouldn’t have anticipated with his dud Diwali release.

But as they say, not everyone can face full frontal competition; Ajay Devgan and his Halla Bol team backed out at the very last minute. In Mr. Santoshi’s own words, “We decided to postpone the film as three films releasing on the same day (December 21) would harm everyone’s business.” What a bumper no? I thought after making many successful brave heart films, Raj Kumarji would have learnt something from them. I guess practice what you preach, doesn’t fit in his “To Do” list.

Anyway, looking at the two films released this Friday – Here is my tippany on them.

Tare Zameen Par

1. For someone like me, who is a sucker for melodrama, a film like Tare Zameen Par holds more weight age. It appears to be a light-hearted film with a dose of “parenting” lessons. Frankly speaking though I find it hard excepting Mr. Aamir Khan as a family man, especially after the Jessica Hines affair. Plus his over egoistic nature doesn’t help either.

2. Darsheel Safary, the child debutant looks so adorable. Something tells me, he has done an excellent job with his character in the film.

3. Aamir the actor and Aamir the director. The man who is accused by many in the industry for being intrusive, pushy and extremely picky – it would be interesting to watch how he handles the dual responsibilities.

4. Perfect timing for release, since most schools have gone on Christmas holidays. Tare Zameen Par is most likely to appeal to the regular family crowd though I am not sure about it being a crowd puller.

5. Though Aamir’s recent films have done well at the Box-office, his act of disappearing from the public eye for months, can work against his directorial debut.

6. Because of the script, Tare Zameen Par could end up being too preachy.

7. And even if everything else fails, Aamir’s new haircut is a sure-shot hit.

Welcome

1. Plot line – Nothing original, appears to be a copy of Hollywood flick “Mickey Blue Eyes”. And that too a crappy re-make, remember Deewane Huye Paagal aka. There is Something about Mary. Still this Nadiadwala production is likely to get a better opening simply because Indian audience loves the mindless comedy genre.

2. Akshay Kumar – Undoubtedly the biggest USP of this film. All his films tend to do good business at the box-office, no matter how shitty they are. Many even believe him to be a bigger star than the three Khans put together.

3. Katrina Kaif, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Ms. Sherawat – With supporting cast such as these; half the battle is already won.

4. Anees Bazmi, not a bad director at all if you take into account films like No Entry and Deewangee.

5. I totally dig the title track “Welcome”, Akshay is such a hottie. If only Salman was in my life, auh!

So keeping the above mentioned points in mind, I believe film Welcome is mostly like to win the box-office battle (history provides a many such fine examples), even if it has nothing new to offer be it script wise or in the acting department. And as for Tare Zameen Par, is likely to end up winning couple of Critic’s Awards at Bollywood ceremonies, which as usual will be given a miss by Mr. Righteous Khan.