The new year has a lot in store for Bollywood, says experts. Never mind the disappointments and box-office disasters of 2004.

"I think the year will see an interesting mix of big-budget star-studded films and the middle budget ones that fall in the genre of bold, sexy films, suspense thrillers and horror films," says Balkrishna Shroff of Shringar Films.

"Let's get one thing clear, the audience doesn't only look for Shah Rukh-starrers these days. The need of the hour is both big-budget films and the medium-budget ones shot and completed in a limited span of time. These fast-paced thrillers are a boon to multiplexes and vice versa."

Shroff also feels that the year will see a positive change in both the style and content of filmmaking with a new generation of directors making their presence felt on the scene.

"The old producers have closed down shop and more than 90 percent films are now being made by those in the age group of 30-40 years. These filmmakers are open to change and don't have a predetermined mindset," he adds.

In terms of film viewing, Shroff feels that the multiplex culture will become second nature to audiences. "Multiplexes picked up in a big way last year and they are likely to pick up further on business this year. In fact we will have three new multiplexes opening up this year in the Fame chain of theatres, Fame Kandivali, Fame Nasik and Fame Surat," he says.

On the other hand, Rupen Amlani of Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd., the distribution house that emerged strong in 2004, feels that content will determine the response.

"Star presence will no doubt play an important role but films low on content will definitely take a beating at the box-office. For instance, 'Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo' had a big star presence but the film lost out on content," Amlani points out.

Amlani also predicts the foray of more corporate production houses into film production. "They are seeing an increasing promise in film production and quite a few of them are on their way to making the big plunge into film production. The existing ones are likely to diversify further on the production scene. Already UTV has intensified its film-production plans this year," says Amlani.

A positive change is also likely in distribution, according to him, in terms of the pricing of films. "The market has changed since we last acquired 'Main Hoon Na'. The prices have come down this year and they are likely to settle down to an affordable high in 2005."

The other positive change that the industry is expected witness this year is the initiation of new technology, be it in the field of production or music.

"After we succeeded in introducing copy-control CDs and recording on the net in 'Page 3', we are planning to go one step further in technology with our future releases. Besides, these technological developments will also have their own advantages. There are some mobile companies who have come up with a technique where a song downloaded on a particular handset cannot be forwarded to anyone," says Shameer Tandon, vice-president of Virgin Music.