Journalism of Courage
While September was all about the smashing run of Judwaa 2 at the box office, October was no different, only that it was dominated majorly by Rohit Shetty's Golmaal Again. Golmaal Again released on October 20 clashing with Aamir Khan's Secret Superstar which released a day prior on October 19. And though the two films belong to poles-opposite genres, they have been fighting it out in terms of capturing the cinema-goers' market and the number of screens. Also, the first week of October saw Saif Ali Khan's Chef at the theatres which opened to decent figures and reviews.
Chef - Rs 6.35 crore
Saif Ali Khan's Chef released on October 6 to mixed reviews at the box office. Opening at Rs 1.05 crore, Chef managed to collect a total of Rs 6.35 crore in its lifetime leaving a number of fans disappointed. A major reason for Chef not working at the ticketing counters was it having to face a neck-to-neck competition from Judwaa 2. Because this Varun Dhawan film had a dream run at the box office ever since it was released on September 29.
Also Read | Chef box office collection day 4: This Saif Ali Khan film needs a miracle
Secret Superstar - Rs 41.59 crore
Releasing on October 19, Aamir Khan and Zaira Wasim's Secret Superstar had opened to a not-so-astonishing Rs 4.80 crore. But soon with the spread of some spectacular word-of-mouth promotion, the Advait Chandan film became in what can be called a sleeper hit and collected more than Rs 30 crore in its opening weekend itself.
Also Read | Secret Superstar box office collection day 7: Will Zaira Wasim film pass mid-week test?
Golmaal Again - Rs 188.66 crore
Clashing with Secret Superstar was Rohit Shetty's Golmaal Again which released a day after on October 20. Being a heavy-budget franchise film, Golmaal Again is raking in the moolah ever since its release. An out and out masala comedy with an ensemble cast from the likes of Ajay Devgn, Parineeti Chopra, Tabu, Arshad Warsi and many others joining the cast, Golmaal Again is the highest grosser of 2017 in Bollywood with its collection of Rs 188.66 crore.
Also Read | Golmaal Again box office collection Day 11: Ajay Devgn and his boys are unstoppable
Secret Superstar vs Golmaal Again
It is pretty clear that Golmaal Again is leading the race against Secret Superstar with its box office figures. While both the films had expected to cash on the long weekend following Diwali and its festivities, what seems to have worked for Golmaal is just that, because while Golmaal is a typical Bollywood entertainer, Secret Superstar's core is pure content. And it looks like in between the festive mood, audiences are more in the mood for some light comedy.
Also Read | Bollywood box-office October 2017: The month of Diwali was all about Golmaal Again vs Secret Superstar
However, Golmaal Again's numbers are clear proof that masala comedies with large cast will never lose appeal among Indian audience. With its pace, Golmaal could sure pass the Rs 200 crore mark in the coming few days as well. Nevertheless, a collection of almost Rs 42 crore for Secret Superstar in its first week is also astonishing. In what looks like a smart strategy, Secret Superstar hit the theatres on Thursday, the day of Diwali itself, which is not common in Bollywood. But this extra day helped the film establish its feet and spread the word-of-mouth appreciation before Friday itself.
