First weekend performance of latest release

KARZZZZ has surprised. Considering the fact that the film was being released at a huge print count, the occupancy was always expected to be in the middle range. However, though one was looking at a 50% odd opening on Friday, that was not the case to be as the occupancy was lesser and instead of increasing over the weekend, it just remained the same till Sunday. Single screens were better but not huge enough to ensure a smooth sailing for the film. A lot would now depend upon how the film performs on a reduced count of prints in the second weekend. If it stays on the same lines as the first weekend, KARZZZZ may have some decent credentials to showcase.

So what really went wrong that such huge number of shows didn't record decent occupancy? One single reason - Misjudgment of the target audience. Agreed that Himesh has a fan base building for him (foot falls have been better than AAP KAA SURROOR) but believing it to have almost tripled in one year was expecting too much. No wonder, fans and followers did watch the film first thing as it released but it would take a while before he starts commanding a 1000 prints release.

SHOOT ON SIGHT got decent to good reviews but there has been absolutely no word of mouth since even hard core movie buffs are not aware about the film's release. On the other hand CHEENTI CHEENTI BANG BANG adds itself to the list of yet another animation film facing failure.

Last week's movies

HELLO has managed to sail through. On the basis of first weekend opening, the film has managed to garner 10 crores hence enjoying a safety net for itself. Highest collections came from Mumbai where the film crossed 1.5 crores mark. Of course, the film is a fluke success but in the process it has given much needed boost to the career of Sohail Khan, Sharman Joshi and Gul Panag - each of whom has been appreciated for his/her performance. As for Atul Agnihotri, expect him to get working on another film now, unlike Goldie Behl whose DRONA may well be his last project for quite some time now. More about it later!

From the past

After a super strong opening weekend which got most of the moolah it has earned till date, KIDNAP has seen a very bad crash in it's second week. With only 3.5 crores more coming in after a 80%+ fall, it must be quite a reality check for Imran Khan whose JAANE TU YA JAANE NAA was one of the most consistent performers at the box office week after week. In the second week, the film sees 50 lakhs coming from Mumbai and ~25 lakhs from Delhi. Standing at 23 crores, it would struggle to touch the 25 crores mark. Flop.

DRONA is the biggest disaster ever since one can remember and if it was indeed budgeted at 50 crores (as per insiders), it has been a gigantic commercial failure. With more than 90% fall in it's second week, the film has earned only 80 lakhs more and has almost folded up at 11 crores. This is only around 20% return on the amount spent!

WELCOME TO SAJJANPUR has managed to hang on for another week and earned 25 lakhs more in it's 4th week. The film has crossed 10.5 crores mark but would find it difficult to touch the 11 crores mark. ROCK ON too gets another 25 lakhs to it's name with only 40% fall in the weekend which marked it's 50 days run. The film is inching towards 27 crores mark.

A WEDNESDAY has turned out to be one of the most bona fide and consistent success stories of the current season. The film has been doing well in spite of dozen odd movies which have come after it's release and is busy minting money even as it reaches 50 days at the box office this weekend. With a mere 20% fall in it's 6th week, the film got another 65 lakhs to it's name and has now crossed the 11 crores mark. In the process, it has ended up earning more than DRONA!

In the future

HEROES and ROADSIDE ROMEO release this weekend and both seem to be a safe venture. While HEROES should open over 50% due to star power, striking visuals and some good publicity over the last 10-15 days, ROADSIDE ROMEO may open on a lower end but should settle down with children showing interest over the weekend. As per insiders, YRF have got it right with the film and should have another success to their name after BACHNA AE HASEENO.