MUMBAI: Hate Story 3 overcomes its lesser content drawback at the box office over its earlier versions on the strength of its brand equity and expectant audience of single screens, which went to see skin on display. That helped the film get in excellent opening response. The collections dropped as the opening day progressed but not enough to stop the film from collecting over Rs 8 crore for the opening day. Saturday showed a marginal drop but was still good; the film’s solo status at the cinemas helped. After a good Sunday, the film has collected Rs 22.6 crore in its first weekend and should easily recover its investment by day four.
Despite having a strong social media buzz Angry Indian Goddesses goes without making a mark.
Tamasha, which had a decent weekend thanks to the Ranbir Kapoor - Deepika Padukone pairing and the Nadiadwala banner to back them, opened well but fell to bad reports thanks to its mediocrity and lack of content after the weekend. It started losing footfalls massively. The film, which accounted for an opening weekend of Rs 38.2 crore could add only about Rs 15 crore for the next four days to end its first week with Rs 53.5 crore. The film is slated to be a loser as it won’t justify its steep price tag of almost Rs 100 crore.
Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo goes down as the first major failure of the year and, a rare Rajshri film that remains unappreciated. The film was a drain on the audience and remains so at the box office. With a meagre box office taking of Rs 4.1 crore for its third week, it remains way short of its recovery mark. This takes its three week total to Rs 199.3 crore.
With no new release next week, theatre chains are going to have a tough time. They also don't wish that the two multi-starrers Bajirao Mastani and Dilwale vie with each other on 19 December. Exhibitors are impressed enough to give Bajirao Mastani an equal playtime as Dilwale after watching its promos. The spoils will be equally shared by both on day one; after that, may the better film sustain! Dilwale was initially slated for 25 December but was brought forward to face Bajirao Mastani. What is strange is that next two weeks are open with no new release in the offing.
