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Last Updated 28.03.2024 | 10:44 PM IST
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‘Ahista Ahista’, ‘Katputtli’ sink!

By Bollywood Hungama

It's lull before the storm, the famous adage goes. But post KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA, it's lull after the storm. While K.A.N.K. has registered a drop in its second week [read below], the two new releases, AHISTA AHISTA and KATPUTTLI, found few takers in their opening week. Both were struggling to survive!

There was no hype whatsoever for AHISTA AHISTA and the reactions to the film were pretty evident at its premiere screening on Thursday night, a day before its worldwide release. A film like AHISTA AHISTA is targeted at multiplexes, but why would an average cinegoer shell out Rs. 150 or Rs. 175 for a film that is neither rich in content or gloss?

With big-budget movies hitting the marquee week after week, there's little or no room for ordinary films with minimal or no face-value. The arithmetic of film business has undergone a drastic change. Till some years ago, there was hope for films that started on a slow note, but enjoyed favorable public opinion. The collections would show a rise gradually. But times have changed. If a film fails to score in its opening weekend, expecting the business to pick up on weekdays is foolhardy.

AHISTA AHISTA had a dull start everywhere. The opening ranged from 15% to 20% everywhere, with no signs of picking up on subsequent days. A few days prior to its release, the optimistic few were of the opinion that AHISTA AHISTA might stand to benefit since it was as good as a solo release, but the opening response was disheartening everywhere. If the business was below the mark at metros, it was worse at comparatively smaller centres.

As for the second release, KATPUTTLI, its fate was crystal clear even before its first show commenced. The pre-release promotion was poor, the hype was missing… in fact, people weren't even aware that a film called KATPUTTLI had been made and released. Naturally, the film opened on a pathetic note [5%-10%]. This one's a supreme disaster!

Meanwhile, KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA couldn't recreate the magic of its opening weekend in its second weekend. The occupancy at the multiplexes was around 40%-50% during weekends, but it fell considerably on weekdays [25% to 35%]. Its business at single screens as also at smaller centres continues to be low-key. However, the consolation is its extra-ordinary and gigantic start, which will ensure its inclusion in the 'Hit' category.


THIS WEEK, LAST YEAR

[Weekend: August 19-21, 2005]

If it was a 4-day weekend [August 12-15] last week, the Raksha Bandhan holiday on August 19 and Parsi New Year on August 20 ensured that the crowds thronged movieplexes this weekend. And that benefited the new release, BARSAAT, considerably.

Suneel Darshan's latest offering BARSAAT fetched a good start at several places, mainly North India. The film industry was caught unawares, especially since several Bobby Deol starrers [KRANTI, 23RD MARCH 1931 SHAHEED, CHOR MACHAYE SHOR, KISMAT, BARDAASHT, JURM] ran out of luck on Day 1 itself. The film did better in U.P., Bihar and Rajasthan mainly.

The second release, RGV and Anil Kapoor's joint venture MY WIFE'S MURDER, fetched excellent reviews. Even the cinegoers who ventured into movieplexes couldn't help praising the film. Unfortunately, the collections were below par everywhere.

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