The dry spell has ended, there were thunder showers this weekend. Post JODHAA AKBAR, the last few weeks saw business sliding downwards. The low turnout at the box-office wasn't surprising, since the movies that released in the interim period lacked the power to attract footfalls at cineplexes. But RACE has been a soothing balm, a big push, a film that has infused oxygen in the lungs of the industry.
Released on a massive scale, the film didn't open to a thunderous start in the early morning shows [pre-Holi phase is always dull], but the business showed a dramatic jump from noon shows onward on Friday itself. Every producer/distributor dreams of a holiday-filled weekend and if the film has the content to mesmerize the viewers, phir kya kehne? RACE has the quality.
With Friday, Saturday and Sunday being holidays, the numbers on the first three days were huge, not just in India, but also in the international markets. But let's stick to the domestic box-office here.
A section of the industry feels that RACE is expected to fare exceptionally well at ‘A’ class centres and also at multiplexes. I endorse this viewpoint completely. But there’s no need to raise eyebrows. Today, if you ask any trader, he’ll tell you that’s where the big booty is. The bigger centres, the multiplex boom, the inflated ticket rates, the 16-18-20 shows a day [in this case, 22-24] has only helped business grow by leaps and bounds. Of course, the merits of a film count the maximum, else the film falls like a pack of cards on Day 1 itself.
RACE has found tremendous appreciation from all quarters, with the youth taking to the film in a big way. Monday did see a drop, but it wasn't alarming as such [the occupancy was in the range of 45%-50% +], while Tuesday showed a rise again. That's become a trend again, with films carrying favorable reports showing an upward trend on Tuesday.
As thing stand today, notwithstanding the huge price paid by UTV to Tips for the global rights of the film, RACE is a success story at the ticket window. 2008 has indeed been a glorious year for UTV; the company first tasted [big] success in JODHAA AKBAR. With RACE, the corporate entity has only cemented its status further.
