A neat profitFebruary 28, 2008 - 09:09 IST
At the commencement of 2008, a few people had opined that there would be a scarcity of new releases in the months to come. A clear picture vis-à-vis the flow of releases can never be ascertained at the very commencement of the year, since a producer has to keep a lot of factors in mind before he locks the release date. Also, he has to consult his distributors/financiers before he decides on a date.As things stand today, the flow of films in 2008 is heavy and an equal number of films should be added to this exhaustive list as the year progresses. I foresee, 2/3/4 significant films clashing week after week, starting April this year. Although no one wants a clash, it's difficult to avert clashes in the coming weeks looking at the mass production happening in Mumbai. I've often been asked, will things change for better in 2008? Also, which genre would rule the box-office this year? As an optimist, I look forward to every film that's slated for release. I've always maintained that box-office is most unpredictable and that's the beauty of this business. There's no rule that only biggies would attract big crowds. As for the genre, any story well told will find its audience. Let's not forget, the viewer wants to listen to a gripping story unfold on screen. Rest everything is secondary!
So what's the verdict on JODHAA AKBAR? Like always, the opinions are divided. UTV calls it a success, since the money invested and the money recovered proves that it's a profitable venture. I endorse their viewpoint completely. But the pessimists continue to indulge in malicious propaganda [do they have an agenda?] that it's not working at so-and-so small centre. But aren't we forgetting that even CHAK DE INDIA and TAARE ZAMEEN PAR weren't as strong at some smaller centres? If one were to go by this obnoxious theory, we should've called these two films flops as well. Since UTV are the producers and distributors of JODHAA AKBAR, what matters is what money they eventually recover. If the cost is Rs. 50 cr. and the recovery is in the range of Rs. 70 cr., what would you call it? A flop? If that's a flop, will someone please explain the definition of a Hit to me? As for UTV, they're laughing all the way to the bank… and also at the zilch business sense of a few negative souls.
February 28, 2008
Business Talk With Taran Adarsh
February 25, 2008
Jodhaa Akbar Emerges First Hit Of 2008
Jodhaa Akbar Emerges First Hit Of 2008
Monday 25th February 2008 12.00 ISTBoxofficeindia.Com Trade NetworkAfter 2008 seeing failure after failure there is relief at last. Jodhaa Akbar has emerged the first hit of 2008. The film is not a universal hit but business is similar to the first hits of the last two years Rang De Basanti and Guru where both films succeeded due to strong business in certain areas.
Jodhaa Akbar has managed to do 10 crore nett business in its second weekend and this without Rajasthan and most centres of CP Berar and CI. The film is showing very good collections in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR and South.
The ten day business of Jodhaa Akbar stands at nearly 35 crore and it is expected to end its second week with business of 39 crore. The film’s business is much lower than the likes of Om Shanti Om and Welcome but considering all the problems and obstacles the film faced and is still facing, it is a great result for the team of Jodhaa Akbar.
February 19, 2008
Jodhaa Akbar excellent at big centres
http://indiafm.com/trade/top5/index.html
| Midweek: 'Jodhaa Akbar' excellent at big centres! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - By Taran Adarsh, February 19, 2008 - 09:11 IST | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[Blockbuster in some circuits]
BOI-Jodhaa Akbar Records Good Weekend
Jodhaa Akbar Records Good Weekend
Jodhaa Akbar has collected 16.50 crore nett over three days in India. The collections have been fantastic in Mumbai, Delhi and South despite a problematic release on day one.
Mutiplexes and A centres in Punjab and Kolkatta were good while single screens in UP, CP Berar and CI saw average business. The weekend business is the fourth highest ever after Om Shanti Om, Welcome and Dhoom 2 and it makes it even more commendable as this is without Rajasthan where Jodhaa Akbar is still to be released due to security problems.
It was sad to see many media reports claiming a 20-40% opening for the film as there is no way that a film can open to 20-40% and then manage to collect 16.50 crore over the weekend. Monday has a seen a drop but it is not alarming and 30 crore+ business is certain if it maintains 55-60% collections like Monday over the next three days.
February 18, 2008
February 17, 2008
Jodhaa Akbar Overseas: First weekend
BOXOFFICEINDIA
BOI - Jodhaa Akbar Storms The Overseas Market
Jodhaa Akbar has stormed the International markets with bumper openings in most overseas territories. The film seems to be heading for a half million pounds weekend gross in UK with total overseas gross looking to be 10 crore plus over the weekend.
It is almost certain that Jodhaa Akbar will emerge Hrithik Roshan’s biggest solo overseas hit. The business will easily surpass the likes of Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish and if it keeps up at the initial pace then even the 2006 blockbsuster Dhoom 2 may be surpassed.
If the total overseas business was to reach 30 crore then this will ensure profits for UTV as a 18-20 crore share is a given from India even if collections were to fall badly.
IBOS: Jodha Akbar opening in overseas
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Jodha Akbar may be getting banned in large parts of India and its depictions being called politically and communally distortive by many, but the same is being used by it for advantage with the Pakistanis and with the muslim heavy overseas crowd. And atleast in the short term, the Bollywood film is expected to close in on a $1.5+ million 4-day opening extended weekend from screenings in US/Canada theaters.
In comparision, Hrithik Roshan’s big blockbusters like Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish have all been relatively damp squibs at the box office in North America. So for a Jodha Akbar, the projected opening to be in the range of $1.5 million off the weekend is quite telling.
This is in contrast to the film’s opening in India which is below expectations and specially in contrast to the similarly themed 2001 fare Gadar, which too was set on a historic backdrop on communal integration, but was not supported by the overseas composition crowd proportionately. Gadar however went onto to break box office records across the country anyway.
February 16, 2008
Jodhaa Akbar Strong On Saturday
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Jodhaa Akbar had a decent start on Friday but has seen excellent business on Saturday with multiplexes recording 90%+ business and single screens around 85%. Business is best in the big cities with smaller centres lower. The first day business was 3.25 crore nett but business on Saturday will be around double that. Jodhaa Akbar has cost around 45 crore and will recover this money for its makers UTV but it is very difficult to tell if the film will be a hit or not as audience verdict seems mixed with a section of the public liking and another section being not so kind.
Weekend business is expected to be 16-17 crore nett. The advantage for the film is that there is no major release in the next few weeks which may help the collections to hold up better but it is a wait and watch situation as to how collections go from Monday onwards.
Jodhaa Akbar Opens Well -Boxoffice India
Saturday 16th February 2008 16.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Jodhaa Akbar opened to a decent 75-80% response. The opening was expected to be better but it was effected due to the no show at multiplexes. In Delhi where it had a decent multiplex release the opening was 90%. The collections are expected to be strong on Saturday and Sunday as it will be on most multiplexes. The film will recover costs due to the weekend business but reports are mixed and it remains to be seen how well it can sustain.
Mithiya has done decent business at multiplexes with first week business of 3 crore
Superstar is a poor fare with around 2.50 crore nett business. FLOP
Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaa is a flop.
Sunday continues with business on the lower side. BELOW AVERAGE
Taare Zameen is rock steady. BLOCKBUSTER
Weekly Collection by Taran Adarsh
http://indiafm.com/trade/domestic_boxoffice/index.html
By Taran Adarsh, February 16, 2008IST
Note: Figures are as per the reported centres)
Superstar - Week 1 Mumbai - 44,62,360 (18 FH.)
Ahmedabad - 9,69,959
Himmatnagar - 39,392
Baroda - 73,080
Bharuch - 46,243
Bhavnagar - 83,240
Jamnagar - 74,603
Gandhinagar - 21,864
Pune - 1,75,400
Goa - 1,54,438
Nasik - 60,716
Delhi - 13,36,256
Noida - 2,50,478
Ghaziabad - 2,53,323To see full text click here --->
expand
Kaushambi - 56,017
Gurgaon - 1,70,023
Faridabad - 96,725
Meerut - 1,22,286
Moradabad - 28,665
Indore - 51,226
Nagpur - 1,50,589
Raipur - 1,35,285
Lucknow - 22,496
Guwahati - 82,380
Kolkatta - 6,16,170
Darjeeling - 49,364
Jaipur - 1,81,668
Kota - 1,01,815
Bangalore - 2,00,371
Chennai - 51,943
(Average per print: 79,643)
Total collections for Week 1: 1,01,18,375
Total Collections (Till Date): 1,01,18,375
Collections (INR) Avg. Per Print % change since last week
Week 1 1,01,18,375 79,643 NA
Total Gross 1,01,18,375
Mithya - Week 1 Mumbai - 76,07,722 (3 Unrecd.)
Ahmedabad - 8,40,080
Himmatnagar - 3,848
Baroda - 1,45,225
Bharuch - 31,546
Pune - 4,39,879
Goa - 1,49,881
Nasik - 62,706
Delhi - 60,80,908
Noida - 11,03,646
Ghaziabad - 7,61,861
Kaushambi - 1,75,905
Gurgaon - 11,90,344
Faridabad - 2,24,165
Moradabad - 25,641
Indore - 75,793
Nagpur - 2,60,263
Raipur - 1,09,510
Lucknow - 30,821
Guwahati - 44,662
Kolkatta - 1,84,614
Darjeeling - 7,066
Jaipur - 1,35,754
Kota - 37,265
Bangalore - 3,89,362
(Average per print: 1,72,416)
Total collections for Week 1: 2,01,18,467
Total Collections (Till Date): 2,01,18,467
Collections (INR) Avg. Per Print % change since last week
Week 1 2,01,18,467 1,72,416 NA
Total Gross 2,01,18,467
Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaaa - Week 2 Ahmedabad - 50,555
Himmatnagar - 31,192
Jamnagar - 21,396
Bhavnagar - 46,323
Delhi - 1,33,174
Noida - 33,931
Ghaziabad - 1,22,675
Kaushambi - 3,471
Gurgaon - 28,883
Faridabad - 28,233
Aligarh - 1,08,000
Agra - 58,500
Raipur - 21,988
Kolkatta - 30,194
Ujjain - 24,500
(Average per print: 21,063)
Total collections for Week 2: 7,43,015
Total Collections (Till Date): 79,74,044
Collections (INR) Avg. Per Print % change since last week
Week 1 72,31,029 71,454 NA
Week 2 7,43,015 21,063 -89.72
Total Gross 79,74,044
Sunday - Week 3 Mumbai - 35,04,952 (1 unrecd. Incl. Thane)
Ahmedabad - 13,40,061
Baroda - 1,61,090
Bharuch - 42,094
Jamnagar - 1,18,844
Bhavnagar - 51,010
Gandhinagar - 42,328
Pune - 2,18,983
Goa - 1,54,293
Nasik - 70,215
Delhi - 18,92,682
Noida - 4,01,014
Ghaziabad - 6,30,416
Kaushambi - 1,07,481
Gurgaon - 4,94,662
Agra - 65,000
Aligarh - 27,800
Faridabad - 2,20,397
Meerut - 1,71,852
Moradabad - 67,764
Lucknow - 12,576
Bareilly - 54,000
Nagpur - 1,38,349
Raipur - 75,912
Indore - 34,970
Kolkatta - 4,96,144
Darjeeling - 23,970
Jaipur - 1,31,916
Kota - 50,124
Bangalore - 2,44,157
(Average per print: 83,789)
Total collections for Week 3: 1,10,45,056
Total Collections (Till Date): 9,19,17,848
Collections (INR) Avg. Per Print % change since last week
Week 1 5,74,41,890 3,32,120 NA
Week 2 2,34,30,902 1,60,444 -59.21
Week 3 1,10,45,056 83,789 -52.86
Total Gross 9,19,17,848
Welcome - Week 8 Mumbai - 4,65,680 (Incl. Thane.)
Ahmedabad - 3,12,865
Gandhinagar - 6,456
Baroda - 12,445
Bhavnagar - 12,773
Bharuch - 15,580
Goa - 12,245
Nasik - 19,161
Delhi - 1,09,446
Noida - 29,002
Ghaziabad - 71,864
Kaushambi - 15,143
Moradabad - 53,630
Agra - 74,636
Bareilly - 47,797
Kota - 4,599
(Average per print: 22,179)
Total collections for Week 8: 12,63,322
Total Collections (Till Date): 54,85,76,797
Collections (INR) Avg. Per Print % change since last week
Week 1 27,36,99,428 6,36,371 NA
Week 2 16,50,61,959 4,15,434 -39.69
Week 3 6,36,10,262 2,05,320 -61.46
Week 4 2,73,92,006 1,29,551 -56.94
Week 5 1,27,09,065 81,689 -53.60
Week 6 28,31,596 50,025 -77.72
Week 7 20,09,159 28,724 -29.04
Week 8 12,63,322 22,179 -37.12
Total Gross 54,85,76,797
Taare Zameen Par - Week 8 Mumbai - 32,21,682 (3 unrecd.)
Ahmedabad - 6,24,225
Gandhinagar - 29,232
Baroda - 92,005
Bharuch - 20,718
Jamnagar - 29,588
Bhavnagar - 21,131
Pune - 1,25,668
Goa - 63,318
Nasik - 80,359
Delhi - 22,07,300
Noida - 2,15,725
Ghaziabad - 2,41,673
Kaushambi - 7,601
Gurgaon - 2,32,346
Agra - 70,371
Meerut - 29,568
Lucknow - 9,288
Faridabad - 83,866
Nagpur - 2,14,230
Raipur - 71,169
Guwahati - 46,960
Indore - 61,121
Jaipur - 1,14,644
Kota - 27,251
Kolkatta - 4,79,530
Darjeeling - 7,135
Bangalore - 2,20,214
Chennai - 85,280
(Average per print: 67,295)
Total collections for Week 8: 87,33,198
Total Collections (Till Date): 36,23,47,763
Collections (INR) Avg. Per Print % change since last week
Week 1 11,12,47,746 6,53,384 NA
Week 2 8,26,17,130 5,22,699 -25.74
Week 3 5,75,43,852 3,82,898 -30.35
Week 4 4,28,27,512 2,99,922 -25.57
Week 5 3,18,60,112 1,89,551 -25.61
Week 6 1,71,65,369 1,41,353 -46.12
Week 7 1,03,52,844 1,15,902 -39.69
Week 8 87,33,198 67,295 -15.64
Total Gross 36,23,47,763
B.O. update: 'JA' starts slow, picks up, optimism prevails: Taran Adarsh
http://indiafm.com/trade/boxoffice_update/index.html
- By Taran Adarsh, February 16, 2008 - 08:44 IST
The much-awaited historical JODHAA AKBAR opened to a mixed response on Friday. The film started in the range of 40% + in the morning shows, but shot to 60% - 70% in the noon shows, with the collections improving further [80% - 90%] during the evening shows. This was the trend at multiplexes and also at bigger centres. At smaller centres, however, the collections were in the range of 20% - 30%. Meanwhile, the multiplexes are expected to start screening from Saturday onwards.
The silver lining is, the audience feedback is extremely positive, the overall reviews are excellent and the business is expected to consolidate on Saturday and Sunday… Meanwhile, the film started with a bang in U.K., with the film collecting an impressive £ 57,427 in its paid previews on Thursday night
‘Jodhaa Akbar’ gets lukewarm response in Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 15 (IANS) Director Ashutosh Gowariker’s much-awaited epic drama “Jodhaa Akbar” opened to a lukewarm response at the box office here Friday. Despite the media hype and large-scale promos, the initial box-office collections in Mumbai stood between 75 percent and 80 percent - not a handsome percentage for a film made on a whopping Rs.400 million budget and starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai.
Set in the 16th century, the epic love story explores a marriage alliance between two cultures and religions for political gain. Gowariker has tried to portray this political alliance as a romantic tale.
Younger audiences reacted unfavourably to the movie, primarily because it was a historical and many felt Akbar’s role did not suit Hrithik.
Vinita, a college student, said she couldn’t reconcile to Hrithik playing Emperor Akbar, at least at this stage of his career.
The usually bankable A.R. Rehman’s music also proved to be a letdown as none of the songs will stay with the audience, unlike some of his memorable tunes in “Bombay” or “Lagaan”, said trade analyst Amod Mehra.
The fact that “Jodhaa Akbar” has not been released at many city multiplexes, except the PVR chain, could be another reason for its discouraging box office performance.
The film has already run into trouble with the Rajput community of Rajasthan, which felt Gowariker has distorted facts. Rajput organisations said Gowariker has presented Jodhabai as Akbar’s wife, which is they claimed was factually incorrect.
According to them, Jodhabai was not the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber as shown in the film. The princess was the daughter of Motaraja Udai Singh of Marwar and she was married to Akbar’s son Salim alias Jehangir. And Mughal king Shahjahan was her son, they say.
However, Maharani Padmini, the direct descendant of Jodha Bai, not only attended the music release function of the film held here, also showered praises on Gowariker for keeping historical facts intact and doing justice in portraying the relationship between Akbar and Jodha Bai.
Gowariker is also said to have consulted several eminent historians for the film.
If the first day’s collections are any indication, the movie will find it difficult to set the cash registers ringing in the coming days. Mehra also felt that barring grandeur, the film has very little to offer to the audiences by way of entertainment.
Some also complained that the movie was a bit long - 200 minutes - especially for youngsters and for what is essentially history retold.
February 14, 2008
TARAN ADARSH BOX OFFICE REPORT
www.indiafm.com
February 14, 2008 - 08:44 IST
The cold wave coupled with the ongoing cricket matches is taking a toll on film business. The occupancy at single screens/movieplexes has fallen to a new low, with films running to almost empty halls during evening and night shows. But you can't blame the weather conditions or any sport only for making a dent in business. Most movies don't have the stamina to stand on their feet beyond the opening weekend.Last week's SUPER STAR was a good idea gone wrong. Despite its actor [Kunal Khemu] and director [Rohit Jugraj] putting their best efforts and the producers [Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision] going out of their way to promote the film, SUPER STAR lacked the meat to sustain audience interest. Clearly, the writing was the culprit here. There have been instances of films starting slow, but gathering speed gradually, but the public response to SUPER STAR sent out negative signals on Day 1 itself. No wonder, the film fell on Day 2 [ideally, it should've been on an upswing], while Day 3 was at par with Day 1. The one person who'd be badly hit by its non-performance is Kunal Khemu. Carrying a heavy title like SUPER STAR on your shoulders is no joke. To top it all, it's a solo hero film. But it's not the end of the world for Kunal or Jugraj. These are minor aberrations!
February 3, 2008
Box office analysis - Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Saturday, February 02, 2008]
Box office analysis-Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Saturday, February 02, 2008]
First weekend performance of latest release
Box office 2008 is certainly throwing up surprises. After a disappointing run of HALLA BOL, even SUNDAY opened to a below par response. While a 70%-80% seemed to be very much on the cards, close to 50% opening came as a bit of surprise. Not that all is lost though for SUNDAY (Rohit Shetty’s films are known for opening around average mark and becoming money spinners as days progress - as witnessed in ZAMEEN and GOLMAAL) but a speedy revival is an absolute must.
What didn’t work for the film? It’s lukewarm climax. For any thriller to work, it’s culmination is of utmost importance, howsoever solid the 2 hour built up may have been. In case of SUNDAY, it carried on quite well up to the last reel but the climax turned out to be an anticlimax. Still, if one looks at the film in entirety, it’s narrative is far more original and novel than one has witnessed in many a comic thrillers. Arshad Warsi’s comedy is the strength of the film along with Irrfan Khan’s antics and some jaw dropping stunts. Music works extremely well for the film and one expects all these factors to work together and help the film sail through past the safety mark.
Last week’s movies
BOMBAY TO BANGKOK has flopped. With mere 1.5 crores coming in the first week, it is a battle which the film has lost even before it could announce it’s arrival in the field. This Nagesh Kukunoor film didn’t arouse curiosity at all to make people excited. And those who did enter the theaters didn’t have positive things to say about this comedy which was quite ‘feeka’ in appeal. Result was that after 50 lakhs from Mumbai (hence accounting for more than 30% of the total revenue) and 20 lakhs from Delhi, the film is already getting ready for a DVD release.
Has this seriously impacted Shreyas Talpade’s sole hero dreams? Too early to say that, considering he was one of the best things to have happened in last year’s release AGGAR. Given a good script and a solid role, he can make a mark.
From the past
HALLA BOL is now breathing it’s last. One expected some revival with BOMBAY TO BANGKOK being a weak competition in the second week of this Rajkumar Santoshi film but that didn’t quite happen after a below average first week. Suffering a 70% fall and only 3.5 crores more, HALLA BOL now stands at 15 crores with little chances of any further money inflow. With Mumbai getting 40 lakhs and Delhi another 35 lakhs, the film has seen a sharp drop everywhere. Could Sunny Deol in Pankaj Kapoor’s role have salvaged the film? Probably yes, but for that a Santoshi-Deol reconcilation has to happen first!
MY NAME IS ANTHONY GONSALVES is 2008’s first official disaster. The film was nowhere in the picture in the second week, as can be seen from an astonishing 97% fall. Frankly, even the worst of the detractors wouldn’t have bargained for such sorry state of this film which has folded up at 65 lakhs. While certain C grade films make this kind of money, an E Niwas film backed by entities like Sahara and Red Chillies experiencing such a terrible fate is nothing short of heartbreaking. So what went wrong? It’s promotion which never told the audience about what they were getting into. Result? No one bothered to check that this out themselves at the cost of their hard earned money.
TAARE ZAMEEN PAR is the most stunning box office story that I have witnessed in my 8 years of film journalism career. IF VIVAAH shook me up a year ago, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR has made me jump out of my seat week after week. Maintaining exceedingly well even in it’s fifth week with yet another <25%>
WELCOME isn’t letting it go either. In spite of a huge fortnight, the film hasn’t taken a fall that the biggest of blockbusters take after an early moolah inflow and has dropped by only 40%. With the 5th week bringing in 2.5 crores, the film now stands at 73 crores plus. All set to touch the 75 crores mark, the film has now done more business than the sum total of all Anees Bazmee directed films combined together.
In the future
This week RAMA RAMA KYA HAI DRAMAAA opens after lingering around for close to 3 months. Yet another comedy of the month, this Rajpal Yadav & Neha Dhupia starrer doesn’t have much going in it’s favor. Dated look and tacky production values mean that the producers would have to show some faith in ‘Lord Rama’ to do any decent business.
February 2, 2008
JayShah’s Saturday Box Office Column – Sunday has decent at best opening week…[02.02.2008]
Sunday
Sunday’s opening week looks to be steady overall but at the lower end. The comedy genre as a whole has had a lot of success recently but mainly when a leading star is part of the package; Partner, Welcome & Heyy Babby being such examples. Presence without a major star almost certainly means a far lesser initial, much like Dhamaal or Malawaal Weekly experienced.
The opening for Sunday as most reports confirmed was fairly poor, especially considering it had been 5 weeks since the release of Welcome/TZP and not one film since had opened strong. There were some reports of a rise in collections but overall it appears Sunday is not running houseful, but half full. The second week for such a scenario is crucial.
I’ve compared the opening week to Dhamaal, which is the best model to compare to. Also I have compared it to Jab We Met, Naqaab & Cash offline.
Week 1 Sunday vs Week 1 Dhamaal
Mumbai -10% means that Sunday is 10% LESS than Dhamaal in Week 1
Mumbai -10%
Ahmedabad -44%
Himmatnagar -80%
Baroda 0%
Pune 7%
Goa 0%
Nasik 0%
Delhi 2%
Noida -26%
Kaushambi 26%
Gurgaon -70%
Agra -86%
Aligarh -103%
Faridabad -132%
Guwahati -3%
Nagpur 3%
Raipur 15%
Indore -31%
Kolkatta 3%
Darjeeling -136%
Jaipur -15%
Kota -15%
Ujjain -56%
Bangalore 28%
Chennai -57%
Sunday leads in 10 centres
Dhamaal leads in 15 centres
The cumulative centre total for the above centres for Sunday = 5.61Cr
The cumulative centre total for the above centres for Dhamaal = 6.31Cr
This means that Sunday is 89% of Dhamaal’s total (5.61/6.31 = 89%)
Using my own Dhamaal Week 1 total of 12.25Cr (midpoint), the Sunday Week 1 = 89% * (12.25) = 10.9Cr
Note I will wait for a complete Mumbai figure since 6 centres are still to be reported. Compared with JWM I got 10.6Cr for Sunday’s opening, likewise vs. Naqaab it was 10.9Cr and vs. Cash it was 11.3Cr. Overall it is in the range of 10.5Cr – 11.5Cr (may increase a touch with better Mumbai number)
Sunday 1 Week Total = 10.5-11.5Cr(Week 1)
Verdict – Below par opening
Overall it is a below the mark opening considering there has not been much opposition around except for the twin success of Welcome & TZP. If Sunday remains steady, a 20Cr total looks likely which would just about be a below average performer. It appears people are waiting for Jodha Akbar’s imminent release !
Past Releases
Halla Bol
In its 3rd week, Halla Bol recorded not more than 0.3Cr – 0.4Cr (some un-reported Mumbai centres yet again). Overall it is exiting the scene with a total around 11.6Cr – 12.3Cr, a very poor showing overall.
Halla Bol 3 Week Total = 8.5-9.0Cr(Week 1) + 2.8-2.9Cr(Week 2) + 0.3Cr – 0.4Cr(Week 3) = 11.6Cr – 12.3Cr
Taare Zameen Par
Somewhat unexpectedly, TZP had a fairly junky fall BUT still it is way below industry average, such is the standard it has set in weeks gone by.
TZP Week 5 vs TZP Week 6
43% Mumbai means TZP fell by 43% in Mumbai in Week 6
Mumbai 43%
Baroda -183%
Bharuch 7%
Pune 34%
Goa 28%
Delhi 42%
Noida 45%
Kaushambi -47%
Gurgaon 63%
Agra 37%
Bareilly 4%
Faridabad 73%
Lucknow -64%
Nagpur 64%
Raipur 35%
Indore 9%
Jaipur 45%
Kota 52%
Kolkatta 55%
Darjeeling 7%
Bangalore 9%
Chennai 16%
Trending
Week 2 drop = 18%
Week 3 drop = 27%
Week 4 drop = 26%
Week 5 drop = 23%
Week 6 drop = 45%
Mumbai & Delhi fell a little steeper then in previous weeks and this is the main reason why the overall fall is steeper. Of course Sunday too may have added some competition in the past week. In Chennai, Bangalore & Kolkata, TZP has had an impressive run throughout.
Gross
The TZP Week 1 total for the above centres = 8.56Cr (ignoring Chennai, Bangalore, Jaipur, Kausambhi, Indore)
The TZP Week 6 total for the above centres = 1.60Cr (ignoring Chennai, Bangalore, Jaipur, Kausambhi, Indore)
This means that TZP’s Week 6 total is 19% of TZP’s Week 1 total (1.60/8.56 = 19%)
Using my own TZP Week 1 Total of 16.0-16.5Cr, the TZP Week 6 Total = 19% * (16.0-16.5) = 3.0-3.1Cr
TZP 6 Week Total = 16.0-16.5Cr(Week 1) + 13.1-13.5Cr(Week 2) + 9.5-9.8Cr(Week 3) + 7.0-7.3Cr(Week 4) + 5.4-5.6Cr(Week 5) + 3.0-3.1Cr(Week 6) = 53.9Cr – 55.6Cr
Verdict – Blockbuster
Despite a steeper fall, TZP is still on course to crack 60Cr and should be close before Jodha Akbar releases. Its business in big cities is the most impressive and if Sunday doesn’t hold up one would expect TZP to benefit the most.
Welcome
In it’s 6th week, Welcome fell significantly but the job is done. It’s recorded between 0.6Cr – 0.7Cr (I’ll wait for a better Mumbai number) and its overall total stands at an incredible 64.4Cr – 68.6Cr. Overall it is a SuperDuperHit.
Welcome 6 Week Total = 31.0-33.0Cr(Week 1) + 18.9-20.0Cr(Week 2) + 8.4-8.9Cr(Week 3) + 3.6-3.9Cr(Week 4) + 2.0-2.1Cr(Week 5) + 0.6-0.7Cr(Week 6) = 64.4 - 68.6Cr
Summary of the Week
Sunday had a relatively poor opening but overall had a below average week. TZP continues to sparkle even though it had a steeper fall then usual. Welcome & Halla Bol are coming to the end of their runs.
December 2007
Welcome : 64.4 - 68.6Cr (SuperDuperHit)
Taare Zameen Par : 53.9Cr – 55.6Cr (Blockbuster)
January 2008
Halla Bol : 11.6 – 12.3Cr (Flop)
Sunday : 10.5 – 11.5Cr (Below Average opening)
2007 – Significant Grosses (note 10Cr+ means 10Cr-20Cr bracket)
70Cr +
Om Shanti Om
60Cr+
Chak De! India, Welcome
50Cr+
Partner, Taare Zameen Par
40Cr+
Guru, Heyy Babby, Bhool Bhulaiyaa
30Cr+
Namastey London, Tara Rum Pum, Shootout At Lokhandwala, Jab We Met
20Cr+
Dhamaal
10Cr+
Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd, Bheja Fry, Life in a Metro, Cheeni Kum
February 1, 2008
Box Office 2008 - Has the bubble burst?
http://www.indiafm.com/features/2008/02/01/3531/index.html
By Joginder Tuteja, February 1, 2008 - 09:07 IST
2007 was a great year for Bollywood as it saw maximum blockbusters and super hits coming together in a shot span of time, especially towards the latter part of the year. Om Shanti Om and Welcome were the biggest money-spinners and Taare Zameen Par is still counting 'moolah' after being a big winner at the Box Office. Amongst the actors, Akshay Kumar had Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Namastey London as three more biggies in his kitty while Shahrukh Khan had all the right reasons to celebrate with Chak De India. Films like Partner, Guru, Jab We Met, Shoot Out At Lokhandwala, Life In A Metro, Dhamaal, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd, Traffic Signal and last but not the least Bheja Fry kept the investors happy as well and it seemed that Bollywood had finally woken up to being much more consistent and prolific in ascertaining the way box office behaves. Factors like intelligent market placements, PR strategy, and identification of target audience, focused promotion and the entire gamut of bringing in audience for an all important first weekend were hailed for a renewed box office behavior. Unfortunately, 2008 is telling an altogether different story with a pale of gloom shadowing the current state of affairs. First month of the year is through and Bollywood is yet to see a bonafide Box Office success. Even after four notable film releases, Halla Bol, My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves, Bombay To Bangkok and Sunday, there are not many signs of a positive movement when it comes to Box Office fortunes. While My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves and Bombay To Bangkok have been out rightly rejected and have turned out to be massive failures with a mere two week run, Halla Bol is a flop too. The only silver lining for this Rajkumar Santoshi and Ajay Devgan collaboration is good reviews. Also, the audience feedback from numerous quarters has brought certain respectability to the state of affairs. However, even though the film did give it a fight to stay on at the theaters, distributors and exhibitors couldn't sustain the film for long. On the other hand Sunday has its hopes strongly lying on the word of the mouth. Taking a rather disheartening opening, the film is going all out to make for a safe passage before Jodhaa Akbar strikes on 15th February. Though the comedy portions of this film starring Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan and Ayesha Takia have been loved, it is the lukewarm climax, a la 36 China Town which has come in for some scrutiny. However director Rohit Shetty is positive as he says, Sunday is one of those safe films. The film wasn't meant to be a blockbuster; still I am sure that the 'masala' element will pull it through past the safety park as audience feedback has been good. As the first week has come to an end, Rohit's eyes would be set on an all crucial second week now. With extremely low inflow of movies during next few weeks, all eyes are now set on Jodhaa Akbar (15th February) and Race (21st March), which are the only two notable films slated for release before first quarter of 2008 comes to an end. Mithya, Superstar and Black & White are the other films in the pipeline too but none of them are expected to be heavy contributors towards making the Bollywood balance sheet turn green soon. Now compare this situation with 2007 when around a dozen notable films released between January and March. Films like Guru, Salaam-E- Ishq, Parzania, Traffic Signal, Black Friday, Eklavya - The Royal Guard, Water, Hat Trick, Just Married, Namastey London and The Namesake came in quick succession and though the success ratio was low here as well, at least there were some hits at the least. Nevertheless, an overall lukewarm January has succeeded in ringing the alarm bells already. There are whispers in the industry circles if the bubble has already burst and whether Bollywood would be able to revive itself from the initial setback. Madhur Bhandarkar is optimistic though as he says, Jodhaa Akbar is big and it would be too quick to dismiss 2008 based on a few early setbacks. Vishal Dadlani agrees as he says positively, “The least Jodhaa Akbar would do is take a solid initial. Come on man, we are talking about Ashutosh Gowarikar, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai here. I am sure cash registers would start ringing again." Pritam who has composed the music of Race is putting his bets on this Abbas Mustan film. He says, "I have read the script, it is mind blowing. If the director duo has managed to put even 50% of what is written on paper, we have a winner in hands." Sure, we will see. Let the 'race' begin!
