The decisive period has just kicked off. April onwards, one will witness at least two or more new films hitting the theatres each week. The producers want to encash on the vacation period and therefore time their films during these two months (April to June first week).
AANKHEN was the first biggie to open during the vacations. The expectations from the film were high. Enormous, in fact.
The film boasts of impressive names and, for a change, was not 'inspired' by a successful Hindi or English flick.
The producer (Gaurang Doshi) spent lavishly in the making of the film. Even the pre-release promotion was extraordinary. From Internet [www.indiafm.com] to the print media to television promos and interviews, the blitzkrieg was uncompromising.
One was more than confident that AANKHEN would set the cash registers jingling. But despite everything in its favour – a grand cast, a novel theme, popular music, heavy promotion, open week (solo release) and vacation period – AANKHEN has not performed as expected at the box-office.
So where did things go wrong?
One of the reasons being attributed to the not-too-happening performance of the film is its one-track storyline and the way the drama unfolds on screen.
The plot was different, no doubt, but not exciting enough for a feature film. Also, there were too many loopholes in the screenplay. Moreover, the script did not have scope for romance and music – two vital factors from the Indian cinegoers' point of view.
There's no denying that the gentry has appreciated the film and the slick execution by director Vipul Shah has also won immense praise. But the masses have been indifferent.
Let's have a look at the mid-week box-office performance of AANKHEN in various circuits. An IndiaFM exclusive.
MUMBAI CITY-SUBURBS, MAHARASHTRA, GUJARAT:
The film opened to a fantastic response in the city-suburbs. Although the collections are steady on the western side, they are not too strong on the central side. Yet, the first week collections are bound to be impressive.
In Pune and Sangli, the collections are very good, although the reports continue to be mixed.
AANKHEN is the first biggie to open in Ahmedabad after the communal riots. Although the film started on a good note, a drop was noticed as days progressed.
DELHI, UTTAR PRADESH:
The opening in Delhi city-suburbs was not as expected. The film did not open to a cent percent response in Delhi city-suburbs, which did come as a surprise.
In Uttar Pradesh, the film took a good start.
KOLKATA CITY-SUBURBS:
The film is faring very well in select cinemas of the city, but there was a drop in the collections from Monday onwards. Although the collections in the city are expected to be good, the film faces an uphill task at small centres.
C.P. BERAR, C.I., RAJASTHAN:
The opening in Nagpur was impressive, but after the first three days, the collections started sliding downwards. The film has been appreciated by the gentry, not the masses. The reports in Indore are not encouraging enough.
In Jaipur, the film did not open to a heartening response and an approx. 25 to 30% drop was noticed from the fourth day onwards.
