A big film carries the baggage of big expectations…
FOOL N FINAL is a Firoz A. Nadiadwala creation, well known for not just producing big-budget extravaganzas, but also giving the films a befitting release. FOOL N FINAL stars a galaxy of stars and most importantly, the well-shot promos sent out right signals to its target audience.
Its opening lived up to the expectations at some places, but was not as expected in some circuits. Now that did come as a surprise, since the general feeling in the industry was that the opening would be excellent [85%-90%] everywhere. Also, another surprising aspect was that the multiplexes opened better than single screens, although its producers and distributors were expecting it to be vice-versa.
The response varied from circuit to circuit. Mumbai was the best, but the other circuits weren't as powerful. Saturday saw a downward trend, while Sunday was better. Monday saw the normal decline, while Tuesday and Wednesday saw further decline.
As things stand today, FOOL N FINAL will cover its costs in some circuits, but is not as expected in certain circuits.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END only cements Hollywood films' dominance in India. Last year, CASINO ROYALE, this year SPIDER-MAN 3 and now PIRATES only goes to prove that Hollywood films have penetrated in the Indian territories.
PIRATES plundered a mammoth Rs. 8.3 Cr navigating across 341 screens [318 prints], creating a new milestone for the franchise in India. According to a statement received by Sony Pictures Releasing India, the film sailed to the third highest reception ever accorded to a foreign film in India, behind SPIDER-MAN 3 [Rs. 19.2 Cr] and James Bond's CASINO ROYALE [Rs. 14.9 Cr] and ahead of SPIDER-MAN [Rs 7.8 Cr]. Great!
THIS WEEK IN 2006
[Weekend: June 2-4, 2006]
There was a lull before the storm [ANKAHEE, APARICHIT, AATMA]. Then FANAA hit like a typhoon and stormed the box-office. A week later, we're still reeling under the FANAA spell. That's one of the prime reasons why the two new releases, LOVE KE CHAKKAR MEIN and SACRED EVIL, were completely ignored by moviegoers.
LOVE KE CHAKKAR MEIN and SACRED EVIL lacked star presence to arouse any kind of initial curiosity. At least SACRED EVIL had a hatke theme as its USP, but LOVE KE CHAKKAR MEIN had nothing to rave or rant about. It came across as a desperate attempt to tickle your funny bone, nothing else. However, both the films met with a similar fate at the ticket window: Disaster.
THIS WEEK IN 2005
[Weekend: June 3-5, 2005]
Gangster films fare the best in Mumbai. The Mumbaiya flavor, the tapori lingo, the backdrop of the film, the ambience… these factors are identifiable more in this state than elsewhere. Therefore, it didn't come as a surprise that D had the best start in Mumbai.
D started slow in Mumbai. The opening shows were in the range of 45% +, but a strong word of mouth gradually attracted cinegoers before the first day came to a close. This low-budget film, filmed mostly in the bylanes of Mumbai, had an exciting weekend in Mumbai and several centres of Maharashtra.
In other circuits, expectedly, the film failed to garner the same reception.
THIS WEEK IN 2004
[Weekend: May 28-30, 2004]
A film starring six top-of-the-line stars [YUVA] doesn't take a good start at several centres. On the other hand, a Saif Ali Khan - Rani Mukerji starrer [HUM TUM] opened to a fabulous response at all metros, with the weekend shows being full in advance. This, when the film trade was of the opinion that Saif alone is no box-office draw.
How does one explain this? I would say, big ideas work, not necessarily big films!
HUM TUM wasn't hot within the film industry. In fact, all and sundry were busy speculating the business potential of YUVA and the three Big B starrers that are scheduled for release in June. But HUM TUM emerged a success story thanks to four reasons -- deft handling of the material by Kunal Kohli, a gripping script, expert performances and soulful music.
