The biggest clash of the year will take place this week. While Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki releases on Thursday, December 21, Salaar, starring Prabhas, will arrive in cinemas on Friday, December 22.
When asked to predict day 1 numbers of Salaar in Hindi, trade analyst Atul Mohan said, “It all depends on screen count. Abhi bahut maara maari chal raha hai.” He also explained why Dunki’s positive word of mouth can make things difficult for Prashanth Neel’s action film, “If Dunki has a good positive report, toh fir chalte ghode ko koi chabuk nahin maarta. If it works, then theatres will be happy with (giving more shows to Dunki).”
He further stated, “The biggest drawback in Salaar is Prabhas. His films generate a lot of hype but after the release, viewers are mostly disappointed. Even if you were an exhibitor, you’d give preference to Dunki since Shah Rukh’s last two films were all-time grossers.”
The trailer of Salaar didn’t receive an all-around positive response, which affected the hype. Atul Mohan exulted, “Salaar’s first trailer wasn’t well-received. There was a lot of buzz for the film for two years and due to the trailer, the excitement lessened. The second trailer is decent, though it doesn’t wow you. Also, it came too late. Ideally, the makers should have released just one correct trailer, then it would have made sense. After all, the first impression is the last impression.”
Raj Bansal, the owner of Entertainment Paradise in Jaipur feels that it can open to more than Rs. 10 crores but agreed that the second trailer should have dropped before, “100% it can open in double digits. There's excitement for the film. The cinema owners and managers interact with the audience and among them, there’s a buzz for Salaar. They told me that Prabhas’s films haven’t worked off late, but Salaar looks like a slick action film. Secondly, it is directed by the KGF director. Everyone believes that the second trailer should have been released ten days earlier for a better opening.” He also disagrees that the film’s adult rating will have any effect, “Animal wasn’t affected. Then why would Salaar get affected?”
As for bloodbath over shows, Raj Bansal opined, “Show sharing issues will always happen during clashes. I had released Ghayal and Dil. Then Lagaan clashed with Gadar while Jab Tak Hai Jaan was released on the same day as Son Of Sardaar. Clashes are common and during such times, everything is fair. Ultimately, content wins. You might dominate shows for the first two days. But from the third day, if your film doesn’t collect well, then multiplexes can reduce your show count by half while doubling the shows of the other film.”
Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, on the same lines, said, “The word of mouth will spread fast. So Dunki’s shows will be reduced if reports are not encouraging. Or it’ll be vice versa if people love the film. At the end of the day, the cinema hall wants to maximize their profit. Whichever film has more demand, it’ll get more shows.”
He felt that Rs. 10 crores plus opening would be “A touch-and-go. It won’t be a cakewalk. The first trailer of Salaar wasn’t received well. Hence, they came up with the second trailer just before the release of the film. It has helped to some extent.” He added, “Also, Dunki coming on Thursday will help the film spread the word of mouth before the weekend. If all goes well and if reports are strong, Salaar in the Hindi markets will face an uphill task.”
Trade guru Komal Nahta stated, “Down South, Salaar’s advance is pretty good. But in North India, despite being a non-action film, Dunki has an edge. When it comes to opening, Dunki will open better than Salaar in non-Southern states”. He also said that “200% the opening of Salaar will reach double digits. It’ll have a good, respectable figure. I think it’ll be in the range of Rs. 20-25 crores.”
In the mass areas, Salaar can surprise, feel exhibitors. Kiritbhai T Vaghasia, who runs The Friday Cinema multiplex in Surat, said that he didn’t face issues in dividing shows in his three-screen cinema hall, “We were just told that Dunki should get more shows. I have allotted 8 shows to Dunki, 6 shows to Salaar and 1 show to Animal.”
He continued, “My area is such that Dunki will get an audience, but Salaar will also receive respectable footfalls. People like South-style action films here. Film mein kaafi andhera hai but I guess the audience doesn’t mind. Even KGF was on similar lines. Prashanth Neel ko shayad lighting pasand nahin hai!”
Will Aquaman get affected?
Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom also releases on December 21. The first part, Aquaman (2018) opened at Rs. 5.50 crores and went on to collect Rs. 54.60 crores at the India box office. The sequel, however, has poor ticket sales and on top of it, the shows are limited.
Girish Johar said, “Aquaman has the chance of going the Guardians Of The Galaxy way. The promotions have been below par. Even internationally, this has happened. If it’s a good film, it’ll also get the benefit of the extended holidays. But Salaar will be the first choice for mass audience while it’ll be Dunki for families and metro audience.”
Atul Mohan agreed, “In the South, Salaar has made a lot of noise. Up North, Dunki will dominate. Aquaman, meanwhile, doesn’t have much buzz at all. They should have come solo. But I guess, it was planned as a global Christmas release. The studio anyway won’t be affected much by the performance of the film in India. They must also be aware that how much they try, the first choice will be Dunki in the North and Salaar in the South.”
Raj Bansal, meanwhile, opined, “Aquaman ko count hi nahin karta main.”
More Pages: Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (English) Box Office Collection , Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (English) Movie Review
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