Last week, AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI brought ghazab happiness to the industry. This Friday, 2012 has brought abundant cheer and joy. That makes it two Hits in two consecutive weeks. Wow!
2012 wasn't expected to elbow out Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt's TUM MILE, which, like 2012, is also a disaster movie. The Vishesh Films - Emraan Hashmi combo had delivered two back-to-back Hits in JANNAT and RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES and coupled with lilting music yet again, TUM MILE was expected to start with a bang.
TUM MILE did open very well, but the trends were crystal clear on Day 1 itself. TUM MILE wasn't the first choice of moviegoers. It was 2012, which embarked on a hurricane-like start, even affecting AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI in the process.
Released simultaneously across the globe, 2012 opened at No. 1 rank in U.S.A., U.K., Australia… also India. The English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu versions of the film met with an overwhelming response in India. In fact, the business of 2012 is at par with any A-lister Hindi movie, which should serve as a wake up call for Hindi film-makers who undermine the potential of Hollywood films.
According to a statement received by this writer from Sony Pictures, 2012 grossed Rs. 19.15 crores at the Indian box-office, coming a very close second to another Sony Pictures' release SPIDER-MAN 3 [which opened with Rs. 19.17 crores in 2007] and surpassing yet another major Sony Pictures' release, Bond film QUANTUM OF SOLACE [Rs. 17 crores] in 2008.
2012 opened simultaneously in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu versions across 715 screens with 676 prints. It remains to be seen if 2012 can surpass SPIDER-MAN 3's total earnings, making it the top Hollywood film ever in India.
TUM MILE, on the other hand, remained below expectations. It slipped on Saturday, gained strength on Sunday, but fell again on Monday and Tuesday. The multiplex audience is disappointed since there's not much of disaster [read deluge] in the movie. That is the common feedback I've received, which, in fact, was also highlighted in my review of the film.
Notwithstanding the fate of TUM MILE, the fact remains that Emraan Hashmi starrers have had a good opening consistently. Eventually, of course, it's the film that does the talking.
The third release of the week, AAO WISH KAREIN, has emerged a damp squib. The film opened to dismal houses and has behaved the same way on subsequent days.
