First things first! After weeks of non-performance [after KAMINEY and LIFE PARTNER, to be precise], the domestic box-office showed a spurt last weekend. The footfalls at cineplexes/single screens proved that the viewers were starved of entertainment and were awaiting the biggies with bated breath.
The weekend gone by was also an acid test for Salman Khan [WANTED] and Rani Mukheri [DIL BOLE HADIPPA]. The two actors were facing rough weather since the past few months with their past few films failing at the ticket window. Salman can now heave a sigh of relief!
WANTED performed exceptionally well at single screens and some multiplexes on Friday. But the business was not encouraging at certain plexes. The business didn't show a big jump on Saturday, but Sunday was rocking. Monday was terrific [Eid] and so was Tuesday [not a holiday, but Eid festivities continue].
Salman enjoys tremendous popularity amongst Muslim audience and the extra-ordinary figures on Monday and Tuesday have only strengthened the prospects of this film. Industry experts feel that the first week should end anywhere between Rs. 35 crores to Rs. 38 crores. Wow!
DIL BOLE HADIPPA, on the other hand, had a decent to ordinary weekend. Certain plexes were better [North especially], but the single screens were dull. Shahid Kapoor's KISMAT KONNECTION and KAMINEY had embarked on a superb start at the ticket window, but DIL BOLE HADIPPA didn't. That's because the junta was aware that Rani was in the driver's seat, while Shahid was on the backseat this time.
The reports of DIL BOLE HADIPPA were ordinary as well and that explains why its business never showed a remarkable jump, except on Sunday. Monday was mixed, despite Eid. The advantage with DIL BOLE HADIPPA is its reasonable costing, but, again, it all depends on how it fares in its second weekend.
The theatrical and non-theatrical revenues might be able to see the film to safety. But it's a wait and watch situation right now. One definitely expected much more from Yash Raj, from the business point of view, post RAB NE BANA DI JODI and NEW YORK.
As for WANTED, the film has caught on with the masses big time. But, of course, the second weekend is crucial for this film as well. Fingers crossed!
This week will see a solo release in the form of Chandan Arora's Siddharth starrer STRIKER. Yes, there is also THE HANGMAN but it is an English language film and even otherwise it will not achieve anything significant. Coming back to STRIKER, the film has managed to arouse curiosity, based on another sustained innovative publicity campaign by Studio 18 and also due to the fact that it brings back the RANG DE BASANTI star after four years (Siddharth) and he teams up with the director (Chandan Arora) of films like MAIN MADHURI DIXIT BANNA CHAHTI HOON and MAIN MERI PATNI AUR WOH. And on that count the film may score at places.
It is certainly a moment of celebration for Fox Star Studios as their epic film Avatar sets new records for Hollywood films in India by crossing the Rs. 100 crores mark. James Cameron’s action adventure is not only the biggest ever Hollywood film in India but has also left behind several Bollywood hits at the box office. Avatar has become the second biggest film for 2009, after 3 Idiots, and will eventually feature in all time top ten grossers in India.
With a current gross collection of Rs. 101 crores, the film is also the biggest ever 3D film in India with 3D collections amounting to around 35% of the total gross. Doing strong business across various centers in India, Avatar has earned record collections at IMAX and 3D theatres across India.
A brand new film starring Aamir Khna, 3 Idiots, has gone on to break Bollywood box office records just 10 days after being released. The film beat Aamir’s 2008 movie, Ghajini, to clinch the title of highest grossing Bollywood movie of all time.
Since opening on December 25th the coming-of-age comedy has taken a whopping 2.4 billion rupees, which is the equivalent to $51 million, from its domestic and international sales.
3 Idiots is being shown in just 120 cinemas across the US, but has still managed to take $4.8 million at the box office. The movie is now the highest grossing Bollywood release in the States, beating the previous record holder, Ghajini.
The film’s actor, producer and direct Aamir Khan said he is “fully overwhelmed and totally humbled” by the runaway success of the movie.
However 3 Idiots was a talking point before it was even released. An argument broke out between the filmmakers and the author of Five Point Someones, Chetan Bhagat, which the movie is based, over credits. The film also benefitted from a successful promotional campaign which saw the star of the 3 Idiots, Aamir Khan, tour India in a range of disguises and challenged his audience to uncover him in order to win a prize.
3 Idiots has given the Bollywood industry a much needed boost after it suffered a bad year over 2009. But with a record-breaking hit movie kicking off the New Year, 2010 is looking more positive.
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