Recall Ajay Devgan’s debut film PHOOL AUR KAANTE. Recall SRK’s debut film DEEWANA. Recall Hrithik Roshan’s debut film KAHO NAA PYAAR HAI. Recall Imran Khan’s debut film JAANE TU YA JAANE NA. The above-named films took a fantastic start at the box-office, despite the fact that they had a strong opposition to contend with in the same/previous week.
On the other hand, recall Harman Baweja’s debut film LOVE STORY 2050. Now Jackky Bhagnani’s debut vehicle KAL KISSNE DEKHA has opened to dismal houses across the country. How does one explain this inconsistency?
Let’s face it, a hi-profile launch doesn’t ensure a deafening start at the ticket window. I’ve often felt that the viewer makes his/her mind, whether to patronise a film or skip it, on the basis of its promos, much before the release of a film. The new face has to create an impact in the promos first. If he creates a buzz, it reflects in the opening numbers. If he doesn’t, too bad for him.
There’s one more reason. In my individualistic opinion, the viewer always roots for the underdog. Most viewers want only those to succeed who don’t come with the baggage of a heavy surname.
KAL KISSNE DEKHA was the most publicized film in recent times. Vashu Bhagnani went out of his way to ensure that Jackky was ‘visible’ everywhere -- on posters, hoardings, TV channels, websites, radio, newspapers… everywhere. Vashu even brought out diaries, pens, bands… even face-cleaning tissues. Wow!
Now let’s talk economics. KAL KISSNE DEKHA may be starring two debutantes, but it’s an expensive film. Besides shooting the film at some panoramic locales across the globe, it’s a lavishly mounted film with a big amount spent on promotion. Industry sources feel that approx.. Rs. 35 crores is at stake on this film.
But the calculations went haywire. KAL KISSNE DEKHA took a poor start everywhere, catching everyone by surprise. It picked up marginally on Saturday, but didn’t show much escalation on Sunday. However, the business crashed from Monday onwards. Talking of commerce, KAL KISSNE DEKHA is a failure in India as well as in the international markets. Hence, the losses will be huge [approx. Rs. 25 cr.?]. Sad indeed!
There were three more releases -- ZOR LAGAA KE HAIYA, KARMA C-P-R and KIRKIT -- and all drew a blank. The tally of flops only got bigger last Friday!
