The Hindi film industry entered the second half of the year feeling triumphant. Without any extra effort on their part (with the usual mediocre-to-terrible releases), they have managed to get the audiences back into the halls. The uncertainty and depression of the past few months has been lifted.

But the audiences are still unpredictable. They reject Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon with its big-budget, starry gloss and patronise a run-of-the-mill thriller like Bhoot. Just when people claim 'stars are out, offbeat is in', they make Chalte Chalte and an awful romantic triangle like Andaaz hits. Just when the idea gains ground that emotions are in and action is out, Qayamat takes a good opening. And somewhere in between, Jism, Ishq Vishk and Jhankaar Beats also make money.

So one can see another problem rising. The Hindi mainstream industry, notorious for following trends blindly, do not know which trend to follow... since there isn't any! After the success of Raaz, producers rushed to make thrillers by the dozen. Saaya and Hawa crashed with loud thuds! Now, producers may start making 'youth' oriented films and find the next few falling at the box-office.