When compared to the business scenario in March, the business in April seems fairly upbeat. While the results of LUCKY are out [great start in Week 1, decline in collections in Week 2; overall a plus film], the second biggie to hit the marquee this month, WAQT - THE RACE AGAINST TIME, didn't really take a fabulous start, but has gradually made its presence felt at multiplexes.
Most family entertainers, including the immensely successful BAGHBAN, have had a slow start at the ticket window. Going by this theory, WAQT - THE RACE AGAINST TIME was also expected to have a moderate start, with the business gathering momentum if the film clicked with the families.
With the advent of multiplexes in India and a film being screened in 6/7 shows at almost every multiplex [it all depends on the length of the film], there are two sides to look at the business of films these days.
In the case of WAQT - THE RACE AGAINST TIME, the film is being screened at an unheard of 9/10 shows at most multiplexes, which means that approx. 27/30 shows were performed in the first three days itself and approx. 63/70 shows in one week at one multiplex, as against the normal 28 shows at single screens in an entire week. Got the point?
The distributors too want to extract the maximum benefit in the opening weekend. After all, Mondays can be quite slippery. If the film is high on merits, it might sustain on the fourth day [Monday], but if it has been given a thumbs down by the paying public, the business could fall drastically Monday onwards.
Back to WAQT - THE RACE AGAINST TIME.
Vipul Amrutlal Shah's Big B-Akshay-Priyanka starrer had the best start in Mumbai. The collections showed an upward trend on Day 1 itself, while at other places, the opening ranged from 60% to 75%. The first weekend, on an average, finished at 85% +, which is a positive sign.
Day 4 was crucial and as I sit to pen this piece, the reports filtering in indicate that WAQT - THE RACE AGAINST TIME is holding on well at multiplexes at metros, but has slipped at several stations.
If the film succeeds to attract families in its second weekend, then, yes, the distributors would make a neat profit in the process. As of now, WAQT - THE RACE AGAINST TIME seems like a safe bet in several circuits!
