Something like this is a rarity… At a time when the paying public has given its mandate to comedies [NO ENTRY, KYAA KOOL HAI HUM, GARAM MASALA, MALAMAAL WEEKLY, PHIR HERA PHERI], everyone was hopeful that GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED, starring a host of talented names, would also embark on a flying start.
With the volume of business scaling dizzy heights since May-end [FANAA, PHIR HERA PHERI, KRRISH], the industry experts were optimistic that GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED would also fetch a record start at the turnstiles. In fact, there was a vacuum of biggies after KRRISH opened three weeks ago [low-budget CORPORATE was targeted at the multiplex junta] and the industry was optimistic that GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED would fill the void and end up proving a winner as well.
Actually, GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED had a number of factors going in its favor. Besides its genre [a majority of laughathons have clicked at the box-office], the film had to face no major opposition in the week [HUSN - LOVE AND BETRAYAL and STRINGS never featured on the wish-list of moviegoers]. Moreover, the pre-release promotion was excellent; the producers left no stone unturned in promoting the film.
But the average to dull opening of the film came as a complete shocker…
The multi-starrer opened to an average/below average response [30%-65%] almost everywhere, although the evening shows were better. The consolation was that the audience feedback was supremely positive and almost all critics who matter were unanimous that the comic caper had the ingredients to make a place in the viewer's hearts.
What could've led to a slow start for the film? The bomb blasts in Mumbai that sent shock waves throughout the country? Or just bad luck? There's no denying that the serial blasts in Mumbai made a big dent in film business, with a substantial chunk of movie-going audience shying away from movieplexes. Did the fear factor make a dent? I think so!
However, things improved on Saturday since the word of mouth was very positive. Sunday, of course, was the best. Not just Mumbai, Delhi or Kolkata, even Surat, Indore and Hyderabad showed an upward trend on Day 3. Monday was steady [45% +], while Tuesday and Wednesday were okay at some places, not too strong at others.
Overall, GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED should prove to be a safe bet in certain territories. Its business in Mumbai should be the best.
THIS WEEK, LAST YEAR
[Weekend: July 15-17, 2005]
A few days before MAINE PYAAR KYUN KIYA hit the screens, the conversations between Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai were made public by newspapers/tabloids/television channels. There were oppositions/obstacles when the movie released, but that didn't deter the moviegoer from thronging the cinema halls screening this comic caper.
Talking from the box-office point of view, MAINE PYAAR KYUN KIYA had an excellent start all over, reaffirming Salman's star power at the box-office. The first weekend was strong everywhere [90% +] and the collections on Monday were rock-steady [75% +] at most places.
But Tuesday onwards, the business went downhill. At places, the drop in its business was marginal, at places drastic. Nevertheless, thanks to the excellent first four days, the first week numbers/shares were impressive. The business was also affected at places due to the cancellation of shows and partly due to the damage caused by the media.
