HAUNTED and RAGINI MMS are similar, yet distinct. Both merged sex and horror in the plotline with successful results. Were made in stipulated budgets. Didn't star saleable names to attract moviegoers. The question being asked is, does the robust response to HAUNTED and RAGINI MMS signify the revival of the horror genre? At a point of time, the Ramsay brothers specialized in selling horror to the audience. Made in modest budgets and starring lesser known names, these films would be picked up by reputed distributors at the announcement stage itself, even before the process of filming would begin. For some strange reason, the genre died an unnatural death in the 1990s. Only to be revived by RGV [BHOOT, DARNA MANA HAI, VAASTU SHASTRA, DARNA ZAROORI HAI, PHOONK, AGYAAT, PHOONK 2], Vikram Bhatt [his third consecutive horror film] and now Ekta Kapoor.
Last week, HAUNTED was the first choice of moviegoers and this week, it's RAGINI MMS, while HAUNTED has shifted to the second position. SHAGIRD and LOVE U… MR. KALAKAAR remained poor performers, while STANLEY KA DABBA showed healthy escalation with each passing day.
The advantage with RAGINI MMS is its low costs. The producers had sold the film to various territory distributors and recovered their entire investment prior to its release. The distributors are also expected to make decent profits, at the rate the film is faring. The makers haven't sold the satellite rights yet [should be clinched this week, I am told], while there's talk that the film would be dubbed in various Indian languages as well. I strongly feel that the makers should also dub it in various international languages, since horror films are well received globally [especially in Asian markets].
STANLEY KA DABBA is also a low cost film and though Fox Star hasn't released it in the international arena, I feel this film has the potential to connect with moviegoers universally. Plus, a film like STANLEY KA DABBA has accrued good revenue from non-theatrical avenues like Satellite Rights [Star has acquired the rights for Rs 3.5 cr], which only puts Fox in a comfortable zone as far as the economics are concerned. This film should prove to be a win-win situation for its producers as well as the distributors.
