MUMBAI: New movie releases are facing tough competition from the Indian Premier League. The preference to stay at home and watch IPL matches rather than go out to the theaters to watch the week's weak releases like Well Done Abba, Hum Tum Aur Ghost, Prem Kaa Game, Mittal vs Mittal and My Friend Ganesha 3 suggest that the IPL is a much stronger brand than films in the current scenario.

While Well Done Abba and Hum Tum Aur Ghost had an average opening with around 25 to 30 per cent occupancy, industry sources say the former drew in Rs 3 million and the latter garnered anywhere between Rs 6.5-7 million on the opening day.

The week's other three releases fared poorly at the box-office. Said Fun Cinemas CEO Vikas Kapur, "'While both Hum Tum Aur Ghost and Well Done Abba have had average openings, the collections of Well Done Abba has picked up slightly after positive reviews."

Surprisingly Ekta Kapoor's Love Sex Aur Dokha is doing moderate business in its second week and has so far registered a net business of approximately Rs 62.5 million.

Multiplexes are now looking forward to the semi-finals and finals when they will screen IPL matches in 3D format. Says UFO Moviez's founder and managing director Sanjay Gaikwad, "The IPL matches in 3D will be an amazing experience for all cricket fans. We would be soon starting with pilot projects in select theatres and then go ahead to show the semi-finals and finals in 3D. We are tying up with 3ality, a California based company, for 3D production of these matches. Our ultimate aim is to up the excitement and fun quotient of cricket and entertainment.”

Hope this strategy revives box-office gains for the multiplexes.

This week's releases include Sadiyaan that marks the debut of Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv and features veterans Rishi Kapoor, Rekha and Hema Malini. Tum Milo To Sahi brings together Nana Patekar and Dimple Kapadia after more than a decade.

Another highlight of the week is the release of Warner Bos.' Clash Of The Titans in 3D.