Between November first week and December first week, in a span of just one month, the industry is poorer by at least Rs. 80 crores, courtesy biggies like ACTION REPLAYY, GUZAARISH and now KHELEIN HUM JEE JAAN SEY. I am not including the remaining releases [low cost and medium-budget fares] that disappeared without creating any kind of a flutter or excitement at the box-office.
Is the common man in no mood to spend his hard-earned money on films? Has he suddenly lost interest or is his interest limited to a handful of projects only? Is the barrage of new releases responsible for making him overtly choosy? Is the moviegoer interested in watching films that provide entertainment, which transports him to a world of make-believe, not serious/realistic cinema? Are ticket prices too steep for him to venture out for each and every movie, week after week? Are we churning out bad films and therefore, getting what we deserve?
Films like GUZAARISH and KHELEIN HUM JEE JAAN SEY enjoyed a strong word of mouth, but, unfortunately, the lavish praises and applause didn't translate into great numbers at the box-office. Films like GUZAARISH and KHELEIN HUM JEE JAAN SEY may have dared to narrate hitherto unknown stories, but the economics led to their downfall. Films like GUZAARISH and KHELEIN HUM JEE JAAN SEY have to be made in tight budgets and released in limited screens. But, sadly, it's all about extracting the best in the opening weekend itself and if you don't score in those three days, the obituary of a film is penned before the weekend comes to a close.
That brings me to another pertinent question: Is the era of word of mouth over? Do films pick up after an unenergetic and lazy start at the ticket window? Well, films like BAGHBAN, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR, A WEDNESDAY and PAA did embark on a shaky note, but gathered strength before Day 1 came to a close. But these are isolated cases. The flow of new films is so strong these days, with each week witnessing 3/4/5 new films every week, that the chances of sustaining beyond the opening week is getting more and more remote.
As far as KHELEIN HUM JEE JAAN SEY is concerned, the film was never expected to fetching a flying start, a la DABANGG or GOLMAAL 3, but the trade was confident that the film would gather steam if the audience feedback was strong enough. However, the disheartening and off-putting numbers prove that the film didn't get the audience mandate, despite a good section of movie-going audience liking the film. The film is an unmitigated disaster!
The Hindi version of RAKHT CHARITRA 2 - one of the bests attempts of RGV, in my opinion - may not have worked for various reasons [too much blood and gore and minimal promotion?], but the economics were right. The makers should recover the costs from the Tamil and Telugu versions. Notwithstanding the fate of the Hindi version, its investors should smile when they glance at their balance sheet.
PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA, which was released in limited shows at limited screens, in a handful of cities, started on a feeble note, but picked up at several screens on Saturday and Sunday. The low cost film may not amass a fortune from India theatrical business, but the good word of mouth should ensure healthy returns from Satellite and Home Video rights.
