Exhibitors across the country are ECSTATIC as KGF – Chapter 2 opens on a HISTORIC note; say “The word of mouth is terrific. People are absolutely loving it”

By Fenil Seta -

April 14, 2022 - 9:50 PM IST

One of the biggest and most awaited films of 2022, KGF - Chapter 2, was released today in cinemas and has taken a huge opening all over India. The first part was loved and hence, the sequel is seeing house full shows not just in single-screen cinemas and small centres but also in metros and in high-end multiplexes.

Exhibitors across the country are ECSTATIC as KGF – Chapter 2 opens on a HISTORIC note; say “The word of mouth is terrific. People are absolutely loving it”

Bollywood Hungama spoke to some exhibitors to find out what they have to say about the film’s performance. Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Bihar, said, “For the first time, in the 50-year history of my cinema, we had a show at 6 am, and it was sold out. The response is mind boggling. The opening day figures across Bihar will be a record. In my opinion, Bihar should do Rs. 2 crore today, which will be a circuit record.”

When asked about the public reaction, he stated, “People are loving it. If it has taken such a flying start in Ramzan, it means it can go anywhere.”

Satadeep Saha, CEO of SSR Cinemas Pvt Ltd, meanwhile revealed, “The performance of the film is absolutely fantastic in (Eastern and North-Eastern) circuit. All shows are sold out.” He continued, “Viewers are happy. They were desperately waiting for it since the first part came out nearly 3 ½ years ago. It’s the same kind of craze that we had witnessed during Baahubali 2 – The Conclusion (2017).” However, he also said, “The film is a bit dark but thankfully, the public response is encouraging.”

Akshaye Rathi, a film exhibitor and distributor, was all smiles as he excitedly shared, “The word of mouth is terrific. People are absolutely loving it. KGF - Chapter 2 is a film that will be viewed again and again. Clearly, it’s a film that has a repeat value.”

Satadeep Saha, however, disagreed, “S S Rajamouli’s films have tremendous repeat value. Whether KGF - Chapter 2 will have a repeat value or not remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the craze and demand are such that it’ll overtake RRR’s lifetime.”

A confident Akshaye Rathi also predicted, “The advance is strong for the whole weekend. Going by the numbers, I am sure that even from Monday onwards, the movie is going to sustain and do well.”

In Gujarat, too, KGF - Chapter 2 is super-strong. Bollywood Hungama had yesterday reported that for the first time in the history of Surat, 6:00 am shows were played, thanks to the unprecedented craze for the Yash-starrer. Kiritbhai T Vaghasia, who runs The Friday Cinema multiplex, who was the first one in the city to open bookings for the 6:00 am show, said, “Everyone is loving the film. Not one viewer has come out and said ki ‘picture mein maza nahi aaya’.”

He’s thrilled with the advance sales, “The advance is incredible. All the shows today till now were sold out. Just a couple of tickets are yet to be sold for an evening and night show. It’ll be grabbed before the show starts. Hence, KGF - Chapter 2 will have 100% occupancy today. For tomorrow, we have already sold nearly 60-65% of the tickets. Hence, there’s no doubt that these shows will also get packed to capacity.”

Finally, Gaiety-Galaxy, aka G7 multiplex of Mumbai is also on a rampage. The action film is playing in both Gaiety and Galaxy and each theatre has around 1000 seats. Yet, all shows in both cinemas are sold out for today.

Manoj Desai, executive director, G7 multiplex and Maratha Mandir Cinema, said “The matinee shows in both Gaiety and Galaxy were sold out. The viewers are very happy and are having a lot of fun during the movie. They are constantly whistling and hooting.” When asked about the advance booking for the rest of the weekend, he replied, “The advance is strong for the weekend, though shows have not been full yet.”

The exhibitors are also glad that after two years of bad times due to the pandemic, the cinema business is back firmly on track. Akshaye Rathi said, “It just goes to prove what most of us have believed and have been saying that the theatrical medium is not just alive but has been kicking. Also, it was believed that mass films or films that appeal to tier 2 and 3 towns have limited value and also that single screens don’t deliver collections. All these myths are getting shattered today yet again. Films like RRR and now KGF - Chapter 2 have proved that these are markets that give you massive numbers and thus take the business to unprecedented levels.”

Vishek Chauhan signed off by revealing a significant piece of information, “Do you know, 40 cinemas have reopened in Bihar in the last 1 ½ months thanks to The Kashmir Files, RRR and now KGF - Chapter 2.”

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