Fetching a dream start at the ticket window is now a habit for the Khans. Aamir, Salman and SRK have drawn audiences in hordes, consistently, in film after film. The opening day, opening weekend and Week 1 business has been massive. Besides the three Khans, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan have been very consistent as far as box-office is concerned. Amongst youngsters, Emraan Hashmi and Imran Khan are distributors' fav as well. There's one more name that has time after time delivered at the ticket counters -- Ranbir Kapoor.
You are as good -- or bad -- as your last Friday. With RAAJNEETI, ANJAANA ANJAANI and now ROCKSTAR, Ranbir has entrenched himself in the most dependable actor category, sharing the limelight with the three Khans. Sure, RAAJNEETI was a multi-starrer, but ANJAANA ANJAANI and ROCKSTAR are solo leads and though ANJAANA ANJAANI fizzled out after a fab start, ROCKSTAR has emerged Ranbir's biggest opener ever… in fact, it's amongst the biggest openers of 2011.
If one were to get specific, the plexes have generated more than 70% of revenue in this case [ROCKSTAR]. Urban centres like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Bangalore and Hyderabad have contributed huge numbers, while the heartland hasn't been as responsive. In fact, the performance of ROCKSTAR is very similar to ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA, with plexes contributing a fat sum to the booty. A section of the audience has loved the film and it is this section that will ensure a safe run on weekdays [Monday and Tuesday were rock-steady].
Now let's look at the economics of ROCKSTAR. The film has cost Eros approx Rs 60 cr to Rs 63 cr, inclusive of P & A, of which Rs 25 cr has been recovered from the sale of Satellite and Audio Rights. The balance amount -- Rs 37 cr approx -- has to be recovered from India and Overseas theatrical. While the business in the international markets is fair [actually, not as expected], the onus will be on the domestic business to deliver.
At the rate ROCKSTAR is faring, the distributors are sure to recover the costs and also make profits. How profitable will this film be, only time will tell. But one thing is for sure -- Ranbir Kapoor will be discussed animatedly in times to come. Like all superstars are!
