The makers of QUEEN must be grinning from ear to ear. For, this Kangna Ranaut starrer, which started on a sluggish note and gathered momentum in its opening weekend itself, is generating better business in its second weekend [in most circuits]. This is a rarity, an infrequent case. With films like HASEE TOH PHASEE, HIGHWAY and now, QUEEN finding an audience -- at urban centres specifically -- the writing is clear on the wall: The audience is looking for a change.
Interestingly, the business of any film -- from weekend to weekdays -- usually declines from 50% to 70%, depending on the merits of the film, but in this case [QUEEN], the business only escalated on weekdays [Mon to Thu]. Apart from the euphoric business in the Indian market, QUEEN is doing brisk business in the international sector as well.
While QUEEN has cemented its status, the new release, BEWAKOOFIYAAN, remains shaky at the ticket window. Lately, a number of films have had an unenthusiastic start on Friday [morning and noon shows] -- it has become a norm actually -- but the business witnesses an upward trend if the film finds flavour with the paying public. However, since the pre-Holi phase is considered dull for film business, plus the release of BEWAKOOFIYAAN coincided with the examination period, its weekend business remained minimalist. Also, the buzz was clearly missing and QUEEN ate a major chunk of its revenue as well. Nonetheless, what works for BEWAKOOFIYAAN is its controlled economics.
BEWAKOOFIYAAN has cost Rs 14 cr to make, with an additional Rs 8 cr being spent on P&A [total cost: Rs 22 cr]. The makers have already recovered a substantial chunk of investment via sale of Satellite Rights. Recovering the balance amount from India and Overseas theatrical, Audio and Home Video shouldn't be a problem for YRF. But one definitely expected more!
