First weekend performance of latest release

It was always expected that inspite of boasting of terrific promos and superhit music, the opening of 'Gangster' would still range around 50% since movies like these generally gain from word of mouth. This is what exactly happened and hence it shouldn't surprise the trade at all. With good reports floating about the film and the coming week seeing '36 China Town' as the sole release, it should be time for 'Gangster' to consolidate and reach the safety mark comfortably. A good product from the Bhatts, it has been unanimously appreciated by critics all over with 3/4 star ratings at the least while the performances by Shiney/Kangana/Emraan have been applauded all over. Medium budget of the movie should ensure that Hashmi gets yet another musical success under his belt.

'Darna Zaroori Hai' was the classic case of audience choosing not to watch a movie at all due to preconceived notions. This time around the reason of 'Darna Zaroori Hai' not even getting a decent opening was due to its prequel 'Darna Mana Hai' that had disappointed many when released. Inspite of fantastic promotion by RGV and a mammoth A-grade starcast, not many were interested in checking out the film. Though overall the film was well made and had much better stories to tell than its prequel, the word didn't really spread like wild fire. If only the word of mouth picks up and promotion continues on an aggressive note, DZH may somehow reach the coverage mark.

Gurinder Chadha's 'The Mistress Of Spices' was a doomed product at least a week before the film's release itself and the near empty theatres on the opening itself proved that the film is a non-starter in India, just like its overseas release. This 'strange' film about 'spices' and their 'properties' [Oh! By the way, we heard that Aishwarya Rai too starred in the movie!] was hardly the choice of chefs [in this case moviegoers] and the dish was rejected even without being tasted. TMOS is going to be one of the most disappointing and unsung films of Ash!

Last week's movies

When 'Pyaare Mohan' opened, trade seemed to look in horror at the fate of the film. Some experts felt that the film is going to be one of the biggest box office disappointments of the year. Surprisingly the figures gave a different story with the collections in below average/average range, but definitely not those that befit a flop. With a 8 crore mark being cleared, it was still a reasonable opening for a Fardeen-Vivek film. Though there hasn't been any great word of mouth since the film's release and the curiosity amongst movie goers to catch Pyaare Mohan too has more or less died down, some extended run [though looking remotely possible] may take the movie to an average status. Even if that doesn't happen, the film should still be a below average and in worst case, a low loss affair.

From the past

'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye' had only one chance of survival at the end of Week 2 which was "good word of mouth"! But then there are hardly any films in the current movie watching scenario when miracles like those happen. Instead the movie felt rapidly in the second week and only 3 crores were added to the film's first week total of 9 crores. With an extended run, the film may just about manage to reach coverage but that's about it. Due to the high price at which an Akshay Kumar film is being sold these days, even if HDKG eventually comes closer to 15 crore, it would be termed as a disappointment. In fact it is further more disappointing for Katrina Kaif as she came up with her best performance in the most conventional role of a typical Bollywood heroine. 2006 hasn't been too kind for Akshay so far with first 'Family - Ties Of Blood' [guest appearance] and then 'Mere Jeevan Saathi' [delayed] biting the dust. Still he has exciting projects like 'Phor Hera Pheri' and 'Jaaneman' to help him consolidate his top position.

'Shaadi Se Pehle' continued a downfall for third week in succession with collections in the where abounds of 50 lakhs only. With its end in sight, the movie would cross 10 crore but that's about it. Due to an inexpensive starcast, 'Shaadi Se Pehle' may still end its run as a below average/average film but still much more was expected from this Subhash Ghai/Satish Kaushik venture when it hit the screens. It’s a kind of movie that may reap in further benefits through its DVD/VCD sales and tele re-runs!

'Saawan - The Love Season' breathes its last even before 'saawan' arrives in India. As its prints are sent back from the theatres, it ends its run as a mere 3-3.25 crore film. Quite poor results for Saawan Kumar who was banking heavily on this venture of his. The only consolation here is that the film's songs are still doing decently in the interiors. 'Banaras - A Mystic Love Story' too barely manages to survive the 3rd week and it would be a miracle if there are any decent video sales for this film that has ended its run way below 75 lakhs mark.

'Being Cyrus' survives in the Top 10 charts even in its fifth though partly this is due to the fact that there haven't been many worthwhile films since its release. The collections are still on the lower side as select multiplex screens continue to trickle in a few lakhs. The film is now 25 lakhs away from 4 crore mark. Will Cyrus be able to foght out? Chances are remote but it should be an interesting battle! 'Malamaal Weekly' completes 50 days at the box office and sustains itself in the Top 5 ranks. With a 25 crore total to boast, it is now one of THE MOST unexpected superhits in the decades gone by! The film is still going reasonably well at a number of centers!

Collections of 'Rang De Basanti' were more or less in the same range as last week [around 20-25 lakhs] and the movie is inching towards the 51 crore mark. Though the controversy around its actual total and comparison with other biggies of the decade must have dampened the spirits of its makers, the fact cannot be denied that it has been THE most appreciated and IN-NEWS movie of the year!

In the future

What a LUCK!! That's the exclamation of many who are looking at '36 China Town' to be a potential blockbuster after 'Malamaal Weekly' this year. And the exclamation comes due to the fact that the film is the sole release this week! Not many biggies this year would be enjoying this privilege but Abbas Mustan have all the luck [which includes composer Himesh Reshammiya] on their side. An open week must be the reason why Subhash Ghai is pushing for the film's releases inspite of the fact that one still feels a fortnight more of the publicity may have only helped its prospects. A slick entertainer with young'n'vibrant starcast and hit music, '36 China Town' is expected to be a film that marks the return of Abbas Mustan to thrills genre after 'Taarzan - The Wonder Car [adventure]' and 'Aitraaz [drama]'. The film is expected to open between 8-10 crore first week that should be quite decent.