The dynamics of film business has undergone a dynamic change. In the 1970s, the concept of simultaneous release did not exist in India. Even big-budget movies featuring the top stars of that era -- Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Vinod Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha -- would see a scattered release, releasing in a circuit or two initially and gradually expanding to the other circuits of the country. Those days, the BO performance was gauged by its business in various circuits, a practice that continues to exist even today, in this day and age of simultaneous global release.
Ideally, one should look at the consolidated number accumulated on its opening day, opening weekend or opening week, but the archaic practice of analyzing a new release on the basis of its performance in varied circuits continues to this date. It's time to change our mindset and look at the consolidated total, instead of looking at circuit-wise performance of movies.
SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER RETURNS, the flavor of the week, has crossed the lifetime business of SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER in its opening weekend itself. Now that's great news, isn't it? Of course, the budget, the star cast, the screen count and the ad spend was higher this time, but the fact is that the film has found acceptance by its target audience. Also, Tigmanshu Dhulia enjoys immense credibility amongst the multiplex junta and despite the ongoing examination period, the film has grown steadily over the weekend and is maintaining decent figures on weekdays.
Although the film hasn't released in major international markets, its BO performance in India coupled with the revenue generated from non-theatrical avenues should see the medium-budget film in profitable zone.
The other release, SAARE JAHAAN SE MEHNGA..., went completely unnoticed, despite good merits. With three new films invading cineplexes next Friday, the chances for this film to grow at the BO seem remote.
