Laughter is the best medicine, they say. Undeniably, laughter has provided a healing touch to the box-office that has been reeling under flops since the onset of this year.
The industry can heave a sigh of relief, for last week's AWARA PAAGAL DEEWANA took a flying start not just in Mumbai, but throughout the country, bringing back smiles on the faces of producers, distributors and exhibitors.
Yes, we've been thirsting for a hit for a long time now. Post-RAAZ, not a single big film (barring SPIDER-MAN) scored a century on its first day and continued its victory march throughout the week. On an all-India level.
If at all, there were 'region-wise successes'. AANKHEN, COMPANY. HUM TUMHARE HAIN SANAM…
Not much was expected from AWARA PAAGAL DEEWANA, but its excellent start startled not just the film industry people, but also its producer, Firoz A. Nadiadwala ("I was pleasantly surprised," he tells me, "I didn't expect the film to open so well.").
What can one attribute the speedy start to? In my opinion, there were several factors –
One, the film was promoted methodically. First came the song and dance promos, then the slick action promos, followed by the talkie ones, showcasing the comic sequences between Paresh Rawal and Johny Lever.
Two, the music had caught on with the young generation. The chic picturisations added to the curiosity value.
Three, word had spread after the first show itself that the film had excellent comedy to satiate the masses.
Although one will have to wait and watch how the film fares in the coming days (rains have played havoc in several parts of the country, thereby affecting collections badly!), AWARA PAAGAL DEEWANA has nevertheless pumped oxygen in the lungs of an already troubled film industry.
Let's have a look at the mid-week box-office response to AWARA PAAGAL DEEWANA. An IndiaFM exclusive.
MUMBAI CITY-SUBURBS, MAHARASHTRA, GUJARAT:
The opening in Mumbai city-suburbs was excellent and the collections have been rock-steady from Monday onwards… At key stations of Gujarat, the film started on an impressive note and although the collections dropped slightly on Tuesday, it was not an alarming fall. It's a success here as well… In Pune and Sholapur (Maharashtra), the collections are the best, when compared to the openings of last three/four weeks.
DELHI CITY-SUBURBS, UTTAR PRADESH:
After a long time, serpentine queues were witnessed outside theatres screening a Hindi film. Released with approx. 45 prints in this territory, the film has been appreciated by the masses. In Delhi city, the collections are steady, while in Uttar Pradesh they're much better.
PUNJAB:
The opening in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh and other cities of Punjab was tremendous.
BENGAL, BIHAR:
In Kolkata city-suburbs, the start has been exciting… In Bihar, the opening was overwhelming, with the collections being fabulous.
C.P. BERAR (PARTS OF MAHARASHTRA, MADHYA PRADESH):
The film took a flying start in Nagpur and though the rains played havoc, the collections are still striking.
C.I. (PARTS OF MADHYA PRADESH):
The opening in Indore, Bhopal and Gwalior was first-rate. The film is expected to fare much better at smaller centres.
RAJASTHAN:
The opening in Jaipur as well as Jodhpur was wonderful and the start has brought cheer to the Rajasthan film trade. The collections are rock-steady.
SOUTH INDIA:
The fantastic opening in Hyderabad and Secunderabad brought cheer to the distributors and exhibitors. The collections are great here. In Vijayawada too, the collections are good.
