The one question that I am being asked persistently and relentlessly is, has MY NAME IS KHAN surpassed 3 IDIOTS? Let me come to the point right away. In India, 3 IDIOTS is much ahead of MY NAME IS KHAN for various reasons…
- One, the release period of 3 IDIOTS [Christmas vacations] ensured a long holiday period for the film.
- Two, 3 IDIOTS catered to a universal audience and also had tremendous repeat value. In fact, the moviegoers had started watching the film again and again in its opening week itself.
- Plus, most importantly, the two genres are as different as apples and mangoes. 3 IDIOTS was a solid entertainer, while MY NAME IS KHAN is more of a serious film.
These three factors give 3 IDIOTS an edge.
Let's not forget that MY NAME IS KHAN has had a smaller release comparatively. 3 IDIOTS opened across big and small stations at one ago, while MY NAME IS KHAN was released at A and B centres and not in as many shows as 3 IDIOTS. Besides, MY NAME IS KHAN had a disturbed release [on Friday] and a scattered release [on Saturday], which is well known by now.
Monday onwards, MY NAME IS KHAN has held well at plexes of big centres, especially Delhi-U.P., Punjab, Bengal and South circuits, but has witnessed a mark decline in C.P., C.I. and Rajasthan circuits. Mumbai circuit has been extremely mixed. At places, it's holding well. At places, it isn't.
Given the fact that Fox has acquired its global rights and are releasing the film in phases, one will have to wait before passing any judgement on MY NAME IS KHAN. In fact, the actual picture would emerge only when Fox opens several key markets in April, on a big scale.
In India, the second weekend plays a key role vis-a-vis big-budget ventures. Let's see how MY NAME IS KHAN performs in its forthcoming weekend!
