Two weeks ago, I began my column highlighting the fact that external forces can ruin the business prospects of Hindi films.
- The final match between India and Pakistan and the passion involved when the two countries faced each other on the cricket pitch hit film business hard on Monday. So much so that the occupancy at cineplexes was astonishingly low during the evening and night shows.
- Tuesday was Ganpati visarjan, the final day of Ganeshotsav, and the streets in Mumbai, in Pune, in Maharashtra… were packed with devotees. The movieplexes, yet again, witnessed few footfalls.
- In the eastern part of the country [Kolkata], the heavy rains brought life to a standstill. Who’d want to venture out in knee-deep water, brave the rains and visit a nearby theatre? On Wednesday, the vijay yatra undertaken by the victorious cricketers that did India proud was the cynosure of all eyes. Also, Mumbai witnessed heavy rains yet again.
- Besides, a large chunk of population is abstaining from watching movies since the holy month of Ramzan is going on currently.
Under the circumstances, how could one expect glowing figures for the new releases -- DHOL and MANORAMA SIX FEET UNDER? Yet, DHOL did fairly well in its opening weekend. The numbers at multiplexes [Delhi, Mumbai] were encouraging. In fact, a few exhibitors I connected with were unanimous that despite the absence of top-ranking names, DHOL did manage decent numbers.
But Monday onwards, the business of all films -- past and present -- slided downwards due to the above-mentioned reasons. The producers [Percept] have already made profits by selling the film [to Adlabs] and seems like, Adlabs should make profits as well.
On the other hand, MANORAMA SIX FEET UNDER was a non-starter from the word ‘Go’. Frankly, there wasn’t any buzz for the film. The title [as also the narrative] should’ve been simpler for the common man to decipher.
THIS WEEK IN 2006
[Weekend: September 22-24, 2006]
The four new releases -- ROCKY, KHOSLA KA GHOSLA, DOR and MANORANJAN - THE ENTERTAINMENT -- faced opposition in the form of Navratri, the commencement of the holy month of Ramzan and school and college examinations.
Of the four releases, KHOSLA KA GHOSLA had the best start at places. Its opening ranged from 30% to 45% at multiplexes, but the evening shows showed a rise at several places [75% +]. Saturday was better than Friday, while Sunday was better than Saturday. Monday and Tuesday were steady too. In fact, KHOSLA KA GHOSLA was the second multiplex film, after PYAAR KE SIDE/EFFECTS, to be accorded a jaddoo ki jhappi by the multiplex audience.
DOR had to be content with a 20% start and despite glowing reviews by almost the entire media, the collections did show an increase, albeit marginally [45% +]. The weekend was better at places, but poor at several centres. Overall, the business was not in sync with the merits of the film.
The third new release, ROCKY, performed lower than KHOSLA KA GHOSLA and DOR. Now that’s surprising since the film was extensively promoted prior to its release and a couple of Himesh Reshammiya tracks had caught the fancy of moviegoers. But the film was a supreme disaster -- in terms of content and also business.
As for MANORANJAN - THE ENTERTAINMENT, it was one of the shoddiest takes on the film industry. This movie didn’t make sense when I saw its private screening almost a week before its release. And its outcome at the ticket window didn’t come as a shock either.
THIS WEEK IN 2005
[Weekend: September 23-25, 2005]
On the surface, DIL JO BHI KAHEY… was a perfect launch for a star-kid. By joining hands with heavyweight Manmohan Shetty’s Entertainment One to co-produce the film, casting Amitabh Bachchan and Revathy as Karan’s on-screen parents, hiring the best of names in the business [Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Javed Akhtar, Binod Pradhan], shooting the film in Stockholm and Mauritius and inviting hand-picked journos to Mauritius to introduce his son, Romesh Sharma left no stone unturned to give his son an ideal launch.
But Romesh Sharma went wrong in his decision of choosing a script that seemed completely outdated in today’s times. Also, the promotion of DIL JO BHI KAHEY… was quite low-key. The lead pair should’ve been all over -- on billboards, in newspapers and periodicals, on television, on radio stations and the Internet media.
DIL JO BHI KAHEY… had a shockingly dull start at the ticket window. It opened to a 20% + start at some places, while at some movieplexes, the turnout was as low as 5%-10%. No one was expecting miracles on Saturday or Sunday and the business on these two days, even at multiplexes, was below par.
Call it a coincidence, but Amitabh’s seventh release in 2004, HUM KAUN HAI?, recorded lowest collections when compared to his other releases that year. DIL JO BHI KAHEY… was his seventh release in 2005 and as luck would have it, the collections of the film were the weakest when compared to his other openers in 2005.
THIS WEEK IN 2004
[Weekend: September 24-26, 2004]
As many as four films hit the marquee this weekend in India [five films, if you add CHOKHER BALI in Overseas]. And the business of the four films [TUMSA NAHIN DEKHA, MADHOSHI, DOBARA and KING OF BOLLYWOOD] only added to the woes of a crestfallen industry.
Multiple releases in one week… Will we ever learn from our mistakes? I doubt!
