It was predicted in this column that even though Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat carried potential to boast of a Rs. 30 crore opening, it would have to content with Rs. 20 crore at best due to several external factor. This is what happened as lack of release in certain states coupled with apprehension amongst audiences to watch it on the first day itself had a telling on the Day One numbers.
As things stand today, the film has brought in Rs. 19 crore and that is in line with the expectations as well. Of course a much better number was on the cards though the solace here is that there were Wednesday night paid previews as well which had resulted in Rs. 5 crore been added to the total.
Just to bring in a perspective though, last year Raees had released as well on 25th January (Wednesday) and it had collected Rs. 20.42 crore on clash with Kaabil. The screens were divided and still the Shah Rukh Khan starrer had managed good numbers. Nonetheless, what needs to be seen is how well does Padmaavat pick speed now till Sunday night. Raees had collected Rs. 59.83 crore in its first three days and Padmaavat is expected to go past that number by Saturday, what with the big holiday of Republic Day falling today.
Accounting for paid previews and Thursday collections, the Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor starrer currently stands at Rs. 24 crore.
