ZAMEEN had everything going in its favour -- an Ajay Devgan starrer with brilliantly-executed action sequences and no major opposition in the week of release.
On the flip side, its release timing -- during the Navratri festival -- was all wrong. It's a known fact that the business of all films takes a beating in the 6 and 9 p.m. shows.
Also, an overdose of Ajay Devgan starrers in the recent past, besides the fact that the last few Abhishek starrers hadn't fared well, were other limitations.
Post-release, the film won good reviews from critics who matter and even the distributors/exhibitors of this film aren't complaining, but the fact remains that its business is not as expected.
ROHIT SHETTY
Director
"I am not disheartened by the response. Initially, I was a bit anxious when the collections dropped on Monday in Mumbai, after a promising initial. But it picked up again on Tuesday. Except Mumbai, where the response has been average, the film is faring exceptionally well all over, especially in U.P., Bihar and Karnataka.
"The film was well received by critics and the paying public. I personally feel the film should sustain very well in the second week."
RAJESH THADANI
Exhibitor
"The film has met with a decent response, not exceptional. We were expecting it to fare better, but its release period clashed with the Navratri festival and as is known to all, the collections register a steep drop during this period.
"ZAMEEN is a mass-oriented film, not a class-oriented film, so its business in metros will not be as strong. But it is faring very well in the interiors."
GANESH JAIN
Distributor
"The film has met with a mixed response because the period is not promising. The collections of all films nosedive in the 6 and 9 p.m. shows due to the Navratri festival. As Overseas distributors, we are quite satisfied with the response to the film.
"Irrespective of the fact that there has been a line-up of Ajay starrers in the past few weeks, the Ajay-Abhishek combination has been appreciated by the audiences. I am expecting the film to generate above average business.
"Considering that action films keep generating returns from 'B' and 'C' class centres, ZAMEEN is likely to fare better in the interiors. It won't be surprising if it fetches profits to its distributors over a period of time."
