Is it the pre-Diwali phase during which the business of all films takes a dip? Or was it the lackadaisical attitude [on the audience part] in CHAKRAVYUH, AJAB GAZABB LOVE and RUSH? Point to be noted is that the three films had reputed names backing them [Prakash Jha/Eros, Vashu Bhagnani and Percept, respectively], each of those films was aggressively publicized prior to their release and as luck would have it, the release was timed during the Navartri festivities/Bakra Eid holidays. The disastrous response at the BO, therefore, has come as a rude shock.
The domestic BO is always known to behave erratically. Just when the film industry was witnessing a shower of a hits [RAAZ 3, BARFI!, OMG! ENGLISH VINGLISH and STUDENT OF THE YEAR], a spate of flops has spoiled the party. The failure of a spate of films in the last few weeks has sent the economics in a tizzy. Now the poor response to CHAKRAVYUH, AJAB GAZABB LOVE and RUSH has only added to the tally of flops.
Barring RUSH, which was panned by one and all, CHAKRAVYUH and AJAB GAZABB LOVE carried a positive word of mouth, with CHAKRAVYUH winning some of the best reviews in the recent times. But the BO will always remain a mystery. The great praise, unfortunately, didn't translate into great numbers. As for AJAB GAZABB LOVE, the film failed to take off. Again, the talk that remakes of successful films guarantee sure shot success has proved a fallacy. In fact, a lot of myths are shattered courtesy the non-performance of these three films.
The last quarter is always the most crucial period of the year and with biggies like JAB TAK HAI JAAN, SON OF SARDAAR, TALAASH, KHILADI 786 and of course, DABANGG 2 slated for release, it would be celebration time again. Amen!
