Despite the fact that both SHAKTI-THE POWER and GUNAAH have managed to gross average figures, the Mumbai distributors of the film aren't complaining. According to Rajesh Thadani, the Mumbai distributor of GUNAAH, the film met with a much better response in Mumbai compared to the other territories.
"The business in Mumbai has been far better than the other circuits," he says, adding that the average response to the film could be attributed to two factors – the comparison with RAAZ and the fact that it clashed with the release of SHAKTI-THE POWER. "I bet, the film would have fared much better had it released without any major opposition," he says.
As for SHAKTI-THE POWER, Mumbai distributor Rakesh Sippy points out that the opening week-end collections have been quite heartening. "No doubt, the collections have dropped sharply at some places – one cannot deny the fact that the cricket matches are posing a stiff opposition," he says, adding that the film has received a far better response in the interiors.
Rakesh rules out the fact that the audiences have felt cheated by Shah Rukh's guest appearance in the film. "The newspaper advertisements clearly indicated that he is playing a 'dynamic' role in the film," he says. Producer Boney Kapoor echoes similar statements: "Never did we say it was a Shah Rukh Khan film. It was always a Karisma Kapoor film, with SRK and Nana co-starring in it."
But Boney is optimistic that the collections would pick up subsequently. "It happened with ANTHAPURAM (SHAKTI-THE POWER is a remake of the film!). The film had a slow start, but the collections showed a jump after a week of its release," he states. However, Boney agrees that the film is not faring as expected. "The collections haven't brought a smile on my face, but I'm optimistic."
Boney says that the feedback he got suggests that the family audiences haven't completely endorsed the film. "A section of the audience feels that the film was quite crude, especially the Nana Patekar track. But the violence in the film was an inherent part of its story," he says.
An update on how the two biggies are faring in various circuits. An IndiaFM exclusive midweek report.
SHAKTI-THE POWER
The opening in Mumbai city-suburbs was very good, but dropped from Day 2. More drop from Day 4 (Monday). Reports are mixed… Opening in Ahmedabad was nice, but dropped from Saturday. Business will be affected in Gujarat due to the tension… The presence of Nana and SRK ensured a nice opening in Pune, but reports are not up to the mark. Dropped on Monday… While the collections in Delhi have registered a fall, the film is faring well in Uttar Pradesh… Opened in Kolkata city-suburbs with a good response, but the film doesn't have sustaining power, reports indicate… Nagpur started well and the first 3 days were quite strong, but a fall was witnessed from Monday… Indore reports are not too strong… Jaipur had a dull start. While the film was steady on the lower side for the opening weekend, the film dropped on Monday.
'GUNAAH'
The opening in Mumbai city-suburbs was average. Since the reports aren't too strong, the film registered a fall from Monday… The opening was better in Ahmedbad, but the business has been affected… Opening was not too strong in Delhi and the figures will remain on the lower side. It's the same story in parts of Uttar Pradesh… The opening in Kolkata city-suburbs was dull and there are no chances of picking up… The opening in Nagpur was not too strong, yet the opening weekend was so-so. But Monday onwards, the film has dropped… The film has met with a similar fate in Jaipur. The cricket matches have also made a dent in the business.
