Is it the Ramadan effect, when the business of movies shows a downward trend? Or is it the anti-corruption wave that has engulfed the nation, with people more keen to follow real developments than reel developments? Or are moviegoers awaiting the next biggie [BODYGUARD], thereby skipping the films releasing in the intervening period? Whatever the reasons, the fact remains that the new films - NOT A LOVE STORY, CHATUR SINGH 2 STAR and SAHI DHANDHE GALAT BANDE - have failed to attract footfalls at cineplexes. The results were, in one word, disastrous!
CHATUR SINGH 2 STAR failed to excite the viewer prior to its release, but NOT A LOVE STORY and SAHI DHANDHE GALAT BANDE were definitely talked about. NOT A LOVE STORY in particular was the most talked-about film, after AARAKSHAN. The controversies surrounding the film led a lot of people to believe that RGV's latest film would fetch a decent start at the ticket window. But the poor start of the film came as a rude shock to one and all.
Did the audience stay away from the film for the aforesaid reasons or was there one more reason to it? The reason being, the moviegoer wasn't keen to watch a gruesome murder being committed [on screen] and the body being chopped into pieces and disposed off. Did the thought of watching all this and more kept moviegoers away from this film? Just when one thought that the moviegoers were ready to embrace all kinds of genres and stories, their non-acceptance for NOT A LOVE STORY makes you realize that the audience continues to remain most unpredictable. They opt for a film only if it appeals to them and in this case, despite the fact that it's amongst RGV's best attempts, it has failed to lure audiences to theatres.
SAHI DHANDHE GALAT BANDE suffered a worse fate. The film started on a terrible note and didn't show any improvement in business either. In fact, the word of mouth was pretty positive and there was a certain freshness vis-Ã -vis its plot. Sadly, there weren't enough bandas keen to watch the film, resulting in the dhandha remaining low-key.
Will things improve this weekend, which witnesses a slew of low cost films again? Or will we have to wait till BODYGUARD releases to witness an upsurge in business? Only time will tell!
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