It's back to square one for Bollywood as the beginning of second quarter of 2009 sees eyes set on Akshay Kumar all over again.

Agreed that Akshay disappointed his fans with CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA which released in January 2009. However, now with the arrival of Nagesh Kukunoor directed 8X10 TASVEER, he is being looked at as a savior all over again. With multiple flops that Bollywood has seen week after week in the first quarter of 2009, hence comfortably (and disappointingly) placing it as the worst January to March period that the industry has seen in the current decade, there are anxious moments ahead with 8X10 TASVEER. Interestingly, the film has finally being confirmed for 3rd April release after a lot of dilly-dally.

Having said that, the film has seen the least hype for an Akshay Kumar starrer in last 3-4 years. Akshay is also underplaying the film and is not promoting it even 10% of what he would have done for his other commercial masala flicks. Hardly giving interviews, participating in press conferences or attending public gatherings that would have otherwise created awareness about the film, Akshay is looking at 8X10 TASVEER from the sidelines.

All this has only leads to two questions:

a) Is Akshay playing it safe and wants the film to do the talking rather than him? b) Is he just not confident about the film's prospects and this is the reason why he is lying low?

The answer would be out this Friday once the film releases but one thing is for sure that the film won't take anything more than a barely average opening, something which is uncharacteristic of an Akshay Kumar starrer.

It's a wait and watch situation from here on as one can only hope and pray that 8X10 TASVEER is good enough to excite audiences enough to make a beeline for the theaters all over again. With multiplexes v/s producers strike beginning from 4th April onwards, this film is the only savior that the industry could see in weeks to come with no other release in the sight for at least a couple of months.

Here is keeping fingers crossed and awaiting good critical as well as commercial response for the film. Well, if not for the audience then at least for the industry's sake! -Sampurn Media