After opening better than the general expectations, Ajay Devgn’s Tanhaji - The Unsung Warrior has recorded a big jump in the biz on Saturday as early estimates suggest collections in the range of Rs. 22.50 cr. to 24.50 cr. taking two day collections to Rs. 37 to 39 crore. The business has escalated across the country with the Maharashtra belt (Mumbai and Pune) getting near record occupancy with houseful boards all across the state. The film ran at near optimum capacity in Maharashtra and the reports are coming in that additional shows have been added at national multiplex chains replacing its competitor Chhapaak as the period saga did face limited capacity issue at some centers.
While Ajay’s popularity in Maharashtra backed with local flavour is working wonders for the film in Maharashtra, even the territories like Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and Patna have nearly double the occupancy today. The jump at national multiplex chains (PVR, INOX, Cinepolis and Carnival) is around 60 - 65%, and for a film like Tanhaji, which is not completely multiplex oriented, to witness this sort of growth on Saturday is a stamp of acceptance by the audience. It is always tricky to make a period film on a regional hero, however the word of mouth of Tanhaji is on the positive side which is getting audience on board across the country.
The collections will grow further on Sunday, with mass belts too coming in the action and the opening weekend is expected to close in the Rs. 65 crore range, which is a huge number for a non-holiday weekend. A factor which is working wonders for Tanhaji is the fact that the makers didn’t hike the ticket rates as they went ahead with the normal ticket slabs all across, which has grabbed more footfalls. Though the weekend collections of Tanhaji might fall a little short of the Christmas and New Year release – Dabangg 3 and Good Newwz respectively, the footfalls will be much higher due to the controlled ticketing strategy. The warrior has roared, and seems that here to rule the box-office!
Also featuring Saif Ali Khan, Kajol and Sharad Kelkar, Tanhaji - The Unsung Warrior marked the Hindi directorial debut of Om Raut.
