Akshay Kumar’s much awaited comic-drama, Good Newwz opened across the globe today with positive response from the audience and critics alike. The film released on 3100 screens in India, with showcasing majorly targeted at the multiplex chains across the country due to the urban appeal of the content. The film has taken a solid start at the box-office as the early estimates suggests opening day collections in the range of Rs 16.50 to 18.50 crores, with the plexes contributing majorly to the business. The estimated contribution of PVR, INOX, Cinepolis and Carnival is Rs. 8.50 to 9.00 crores. The collections are a little lower than expected because they were marginally affected by the CAA protests at some places, though the dent was not to the extent of the previous week’s release, the Salman Khan starrer Dabangg 3. Issues taking screen count between the distributors, Zee Studios and exhibitors, resulted in advances starting late at a few centers, taking toll on day one.
The film has recorded solid occupancy at places like Delhi, NCR, Chandigarh, Hyderabad right from the morning shows, while Mumbai, Gujarat and Pune joined the party late with the evening and night shows recording full house at major centers. Apart from Akshay Kumar, Diljit Dosanjh's presence too helped recording superlative occupancy in the Northern belt. The mass belts like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and other places from the interiors were poor, but that was expected due to the metro centric content and the lack of awareness around IVF among the masses.
It’s a solid start for the film considering the genre, and the brand Akshay Kumar backed up with good promo and music has worked wonders in getting the audience on board. Of course, the festive season, vacation for students and hiked ticket rates has boosted the biz, but one must remember this was a working Friday for the corporates and a big jump in the biz is awaiting on Saturday and Sunday. Being a multiplex film, the collections are expected to cross the Rs 25 crores mark on Saturday and elevate further closer to Rs 30 crores on Sunday thereby posing an outstanding weekend total in the Rs 70 crores range.
It’s an economically safe venture with the entire amount of budget being recovered from the sale of satellite and digital rights, however theatrical business is an essential barometer to be termed a hit film, and given the reports and opening of Good Newwz, this one seems to be a box-office bonanza for everyone associated thereby bringing in the good news.
