As expected by trade pundits, the successful Hollywood franchise Wolverine 3D has taken the lead and dominated the scene across the country, making Rs 10 crore nett in the opening weekend. This weekend a host of not too interesting movies – the Prateik-Amyra Dastur starrer Issaq, Tusshar Kapoor-Ranvir Shorey’s Bajatey Raho, Poonam Pandey’s Nasha and debutant actor Tanuj Virwani’s Luv U Soniyo – hit the silver screen, but none could hit the bullseye.
According to boxofficeindia.com, “Bajatey Raho, Issaq and Nasha could not do well at the BO with only BR showing an upward trend over the weekend. Issaq and Nasha opened poorly and did not improve over the weekend. Hollywood release Wolverine grossed a decent 10 crore nett in its first weekend including business of all formats and all languages. The weekend figures are as follows. Bajatey Raho – Rs 4.75 crore nett, Issaq – Rs 3 crore nett and Nasha– Rs 2.75-3 crore nett.”
Exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi says, “The box office collections are similar to my prediction – the audience’s first choice was Wolverine 3D, followed by Bajatey Raho, after that Nasha and Issaq on the same level and then Luv U Soniyo. As expected, Wolverine has taken the lead and dominated across the country. The popularity of the successful franchise was encashed to a large extent.”
Rathi explains why weekend collections were dull at the domestic box office. “Since the single screens and multiplexes across the country were cluttered with multiple releases, Wolverine could make only Rs 3.70 crores on day one as compared to other big Hollywood releases like Spiderman 3 or Iron Man 3which made much more on day one. The Bollywood releases are just okay. Bajatey Raho is relatively better and has good appeal as compared to other movies that released on the same day. I think multiple releases, along with a strong holdover of the films from the last couple of weeks affected films significantly.”
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted, “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag becomes third highest grosser of the year and its minting good money even three weeks after it hit the screens, with various states declaring it tax free.” With bigger releases – Chennai Express, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara and Satyagrahaamong others – due soon, Bollywood is all set to bloom next month!
