With the initial response to OM JAI JAGADISH being just about average, know-alls in the film industry are of the opinion that family sagas have stopped exciting the audiences, what with the endless family soaps being bombarded on primetime on television channels.
Also, the non-response to the Anil Kapoor starrer BADHAAI HO BADHAAI four weeks ago, the Fardeen Khan starrer KUCH TUM KAHO KUCH HUM KAHEIN two weeks ago and the Abhishek Bachchan starrer SHARAARAT last week made a dent in the opening of O.J.J.
However, the Mumbai distributor of O.J.J., Rajesh Thadani, disagrees with this theory. "I think it is too early to draw a conclusion that family films are out of fashion, going by the response to a few films. It takes one film to change the entire scenario. Besides, there are so many factors that influence the business of a film, including the stars' previous releases and the release timing of the film," he says.
But Thadani has no complaints about the business of O.J.J. in Mumbai circuit. "The film is likely to do pretty well in Mumbai city, because of its satisfactory start. The opening was far better than the opening of some star-studded films in the past few months," he says.
ALL EYES ON 'YEH HAI JALWA'
In the meantime, the film industry is eagerly looking forward to the response to the Salman-Amisha starrer YEH HAI JALWA, which opens this week. Mumbai distributor Hemant Shah, who is releasing the film on behalf of Time Magnetics, maintains that the film has managed to generate curiosity in the market. "The advance booking for the film is definitely better than what we had expected. Moreover, a Salman starrer is releasing after a substantial gap (Salman's last release was TUMKO NA BHOOL PAAYENGE)," he states.
'OM JAI JAGADISH' MID-WEEK REPORT
The film is steady in Mumbai city-suburbs. The collections of the first five days are satisfactory… The response in Gujarat is average. But the first three days' collections in Jamnagar are better… In Pune (Maharashtra), the opening was okay and the collections are ordinary… Delhi city is steady, with certain cinema halls registering good collections… Kolkata is ordinary… Nagpur is not too strong and a drop was noticed on subsequent days… Although the reports are strong in Indore, the collections continue to be mediocre… Is steady in Jaipur, although a slight drop was witnessed later… The reports and collections in Hyderabad are good
'DEVDAS MID-WEEK REPORT
So what's the latest on DEVDAS?
*Is it a super-duper hit?
*Will it overtake the business of K3G, D.D.L.J. and GADAR? Or be in the same league as these super grossers?
*What would be the estimated business in each territory?
*Will the makers recover the huge investment of Rs. 50 crores?
*And how much time will it take to recover this investment?
So many pertinent questions…
One would want to answer the above questions instantaneously, but it's too early to predict the kind of business a biggie like DEVDAS would do eventually.
There's no denying the fact that the film took a historic start everywhere in India. Expectedly, serpentine queues were witnessed outside theatres after a very long time. Truly, the opening of DEVDAS was the best the year had witnessed so far.
But the film has met with mixed reactions in terms of appreciation. A lot of cinegoers have been completely bowled over by the film, while others have felt that the film does not meet the gargantuan expectations.
While the collections at metros have been fabulous, the film has witnessed a drop at several centres. In fact, the drop was witnessed in the first week itself. Yet, there's no denying that the share from every centre has been excellent.
In the second week-end as well, the film is faring very well at several 'A' class centres. But the true picture would emerge only on conclusion of the ENTIRE second week.
The significant question is, how would the collections be for the next 4 days (Monday to Thursday)? We'll keep you posted on DEVDAS in days to come.
With so many biggies releasing week after week, the sustaining power of every film has reduced to an extent. Also, with pirated VCDs of new releases in circulation, it has made a dent in the business of every biggie.
