Cold reception to both releases this week

Of course,in keeping with normal trends,there was a slight improvement over the weekend vis-a-vis the opening Friday,but that was little consolation. Nandu Ahuja,Senior V-P.(Distribution),Eros International,says,“No Problem opened reasonably well and picked up over the weekend,despite the cold wave in North India. We are expecting a steady run over the week.” Eros also states that the film has grossed Rs 29.5 crore worldwide on 1200 prints. The break-up is Rs 25 crore in India and the rest overseas,where it claims “remarkable business in US,UK,UAE,Fiji,Pakistan,Australia and Mauritius.” The net collection is claimed at Rs 16.5 crore.

Trade expert Vinod Mirani says that the all-India collections of Band… was a meagre Rs 1.1 crore on the first day,and it rose to Rs 2.7 crore on Sunday with a dip on Monday as we go to press. The corresponding collections for the first three days of No Problem were also an uninspiring Rs 16 crore. “This means a net of about Rs 8 crore after theatre rentals are removed,” he adds.

Says Manoj Desai,who runs the G-7 multiplex as well as the single-screen Maratha Mandir in Mumbai,“No Problem is nothing but problems,problems and problems! It came nowhere near expectations,but at least gave G-7 two shows that were housefull on Sunday. But Band Baaja Baaraat,despite the superior word-of-mouth and reviews,did not match it in terms of business.”

Analysing Band…,Desai feels that while Anushka Sharma was outstanding,the hero was not appreciated. “The film also suffered because of its poor music. Yash Raj Films’ all-time classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Dil To Pagal Hai are examples of films with great music and good content. These films have appeal even today. Nothing,not even the IPL,can stop a really good film. Otherwise, films become like passing showers.”

Does he hope to see an improvement in week two with Band…? “No,I don’t,” says Desai. “Besides,the first week is important for the distributor and producer,as their share in the money is greater.”

Sunil Punjabi,CEO,Cinemax India,feels that the promotion of this film,especially vis-a-vis No Problem,was very tepid. “Both films have fallen short of expectations. But at least,people began to sample Band… after the positive feedback.”

Mirani feels that the high ticket-rates kill many movies,especially with an audience that has an unerring antenna for what will justify their spend on a film. “Who will take risks with such rates?” he asks,adding that both films were also intrinsically lacking. “Promos and music together decide the response to a film. Both factors were thanda in these two movies. Band… also had little romance,and was about selfish protagonists. There was no strong crisis — human or circumstantial.”

Adds trade analyst N.P.Yadav,“Besides the promos,the casting of No Problem was jaded. A saleable star might have propped up the opening at least. And Band… had no music and no face-value.”

Clearly,the dry run that has set in after Diwali’s Golmaal 3 is continuing. And there are cogent reasons mentioned,provided the industry is willing to read the perennial writing on the wall.