First weekend performance of latest release

The weekend gone by threw quite a surprise. While it seemed that SAAS BAHU AUR SENSEX had a slight edge over WELCOME TO SAJJANPUR, none of the two were expected to do any great business at the box office. As for the third film, HULLA, there were no expectations at all. While HULLA, as expected, didn't create any frenzy whatsoever and failed after first few shows itself, WELCOME TO SAJJANPUR started showing steady progress with every passing show.

Golden run of UTV has continued with WELCOME TO SAJJANPUR hitting the bull’s eye. The film is a clear success; something that can be declared even as the first week run is yet to be through. Reason? In it's first 3 days itself, the film has netted close to 5.5 crores, a feat which is even more admirable considering it has Shreyas Talpade leading from the front. Though the young man has been known for his acting prowess ever since the release of IQBAL, carrying an entire film on his shoulders was something which was being keenly observed. Now that he has managed to do that with WELCOME TO SAJJANPUR, and that too in a film which has a village setting to it, Shreyas has managed to place him into a higher bracket.

As for SAAS BAHU AUR SENSEX, the film failed to create any ripples and took a poor opening. Even on Saturday and Sunday, it was an empty sight at theaters as no one seemed to be interested in the 'milan' of 'saas', 'bahu' and stock market. Average to below average reviews coupled with zilch word of mouth didn't help the film either which means that Shona Urvashi's second outing (after CHUPKE SE) too hasn't been successful. After SONY PICTURES' SAAWARIYA last year, now WARNER BROS. too face a disappointment with this maiden project of theirs.

Last week's movies

After a good opening, 1920 had stable collections over the week with collections staying consistent around 50%-60% mark. The film did a business of 6 crores in it's first week, something which brings it quite close to the money spent on production. It is profit time from here on and those who have invested in the film should be able to make some decent money out of this small film. 1920 crossed 1 crore mark in Mumbai with Delhi too crossing the 50 lakhs mark. Even in smaller centers, the film did good business which means that it is an all-Indian success. Though the film won't see a very long run due to numerous releases week after week and it's shelf life being exhausted in the first week itself, 1920 would go down as yet another horror genre success of the year after PHOONK.

RU BA RU has failed at the box office and how. Biggest flop of Randeep Hooda in his career so far, the film has done far lower business than even RISK, his last release. At mere 25 lakhs from across the country, the film is a disaster for everyone involved with it and has already done a disappearing act from the theaters. However, exhibitors screening THE LAST LEAR have shown some faith in the film and let it stay on in some shows even in the second week. This won't help much though since a mere 85 lakhs from the first week means that the film has already been rejected. Doing exponentially lesser than BEING CYRUS, an English film which turned out to be a surprise success a few years back, THE LAST LEAR saw only 20 lakhs coming from Mumbai.

From the past

A WEDNESDAY has sustained phenomenally well in the second week. Superb word of mouth has ensured that this Neeraj Pandey film sees a paltry 25% fall in the second week, hence adding 2.5 crores to it's total. The film earned 73 lakhs in Mumbai, 20 lakhs in Delhi and close to 20 lakhs from Delhi NCR as well. At close to 6 crores after 2 weeks, this small film is a HIT and one looks forward to it's much longer stay at the theaters. This is a kind of film which deserves to be running on at least 2-3 shows a day at all multiplexes, hence bringing moolah consistently at the box office.

HIJACK is down and completely out. With a 90% + fall and only 15 lakhs more coming in, it is time for DVD release of this action-thriller which is folding up under 2.25 crores. On the other hand ROCK ON has now crossed the 20 crores mark and is sitting pretty at 22 crore with the fourth week contributing further 4.75 crores. While Mumbai crossed the 1 crore mark yet again, Delhi too has been rock solid at 75 lakhs. At just 40% fall, the film is showing long legs and should do similar business in the current week as well due to minimal competition. A HIT, ROCK ON may just manage to touch the 30 crores mark if it enjoys 2-3 more weeks with similar audience response.

PHOONK has done fine in the 4th week too and collected 40 lakhs more. At 10.5 crores, it is now getting ready for a DVD release. It would be a while though for BACHNA AE HASEENO to arrive on DVDs since it has held on well even after a good opening weekend. In it's 5th week, the film collected 85 lakhs more which means that 37 crores mark has been crossed. After CHAK DE INDIA, this is the biggest earner and winner for YRF who would well be counting this as a face saving project.

The way SINGH IS KINNG has managed to hold on, it would certainly become Akshay's biggest money spinner ever as WELCOME record of 76 crores appears in sight to be broken in weeks to come. After a 50% fall, SINGH IS KINNG saw 75 lakhs being added to it's total, hence becoming a 75 crore success already. Gathering 1 crore more in next few weeks is pretty much an achievable task which should pave the way for 2009 to be yet another Akshay Kumar year with as many as 5-6 major films of his expected to arrive.

In the future

Two films release this weekend - HARI PUTTAR - A COMEDY OF TERRORS, RAFOO CHAKKAR - FUN ON THE RUN - and none of these is expected to make any impression at the box office. Audience is waiting for the BIG films - DRONA and KIDNAP - and would be looking at spending their money on these projects. Also while HARI PUTTAR appears to be a clear HOME ALONE rip off and is more suited for a DVD viewing, RAFOO CHAKKAR is a project which has been in the making for two years and hardly seems to be riotous enough to make viewers laugh all the way into the theaters.