The slump continues! The two new releases haven't really quenched the thirst of the industry. At least BHOOTHNATH fared slightly better, but JIMMY was panned by almost everyone who watched it.
BHOOTHNATH had a slow Friday, picked up on Saturday, while Sunday was the best. But the business came sliding downwards from Monday onwards. Let's check out the day-wise response to the film at Indore multiplexes, one of the barometers.
| Cinema | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday |
| Inox | 59,300 | 70,800 | 1,44,000 | 50,000 | 47,000 | 34,000 |
| Adlabs | 55,000 | 85,000 | 1,61,900 | 42,300 | 39,200 | 39,600 |
| PVR | 1,01,700 | 1,43,500 | 1,64,500 | 76,800 | 67,200 | 67,500 |
| Velocity | 39,500 | 45,700 | 1,35,300 | 29,200 | 23,500 | 18,700 |
In the first place, what does one attribute the poor start to? A prominent producer feels that the film deserved better promotion. That the film starred two superstars [Big B, SRK] should've been highlighted aggressively via all mediums of promotions. I endorse this viewpoint. Sure, SRK has a guest appearance, but his presence in a film adds so much weight to a project. Why did the makers start running the SRK promos so late?
Did cricket eat into BHOOTHNATH's business? Partly! The matches are nearing the climax and I feel, the last few days will be very hard for most movies. IPL has caught the fancy of one and all. Let me cite an instance. At the premiere of JIMMY at Cinemax Versova, the guests were more interested in knowing what the score was [a giant television screen has been set up in the foyer of this plush multiplex], rather than watch Mimoh's debut film.
Back to BHOOTHNATH. The week-days haven't been good, but there's hope that it might stay afloat in its second weekend. If it does, it might scrape through. If it doesn't, bad luck!
When I watched TASHAN at a private screening at Yash Raj, I felt it was one of the most terrible movies I've watched over the years. I love the 1970s and 1980s cinema, I have grown up on the masala movies, I have very fond memories of cinema of yore. Then I watched MR. WHITE MR. BLACK and I felt TASHAN had finally met its match. And then I watched JIMMY. Actually, JIMMY takes the award!
Last year, I remember, the makers of JIMMY launched its first theatrical trailer with PARTNER. I actually rubbed my eyes in disbelief then. The promo was tacky and outdated. My worst fears came true when I watched this misadventure. I've sat through the most unbearable of movies, but I really had a tough time watching JIMMY. What's wrong, did you ask? What's right, I'd say.
Anyways, the results are for all to see. JIMMY should be an eye-opener for all those film-makers and writers who're still stuck up in the 1970s era. Wake up, smell coffee, the times have changed, the mindset of the viewers has also undergone a sea-change, mediocrity is out.
