What a respite! After a string of flops in the first quarter, which left the film industry shaken and shattered, the second quarter [April to June] has commenced on a positive note. Last Friday, CHASHME BADDOOR brought the smiles back, while the new releases, NAUTANKI SAALA! and COMMANDO, mid-range releases both, have added to the positive atmosphere. The fact that the two films consolidated their status over the weekend -- the combined *weekend total* stood at approx Rs 25 crores -- and didn't collapse on weekdays [on the contrary, the two films are maintaining quite well] only goes to prove that they have passed the 'examination'.
NAUTANKI SAALA! and COMMANDO belong to diverse genres. The scenario would've been chaotic if the genres were same/remotely similar. Thankfully, they aren't and that helped the business to grow over the weekend. While NAUTANKI SAALA! found flavour with the multiplex audience, COMMANDO found ample takers in circuits dominated by single screens. This demarcation seems to have benefitted the films, frankly.
In today's times, when you need to score in the opening weekend/week itself, the investors of NAUTANKI SAALA! and COMMANDO can heave a sigh of relief that that they played well, instead of retreating to the pavilion in the opening weekend itself. Now let's hope EK THI DAAYAN adds to the positivity. Fingers crossed!
