MUMBAI: Traders suggest the four days (including Independence Day holiday) collections of Rs 39.50 crores of Milan Luthria’s gangster drama aren’t really impressive, considering the aggressive opposition from Chennai Express, which is in its second week
While discussing the prospects of Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara at the box office, numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi predicted that unlike the first part, the essence and the flavour might be missing in the second and hence the film may not live up to its hype. And Sangghvi’s prediction has come true – the Akshay Kumar-Imran Khan-Sonakshi Sinha starrer has failed to live up to massive expectations and minted only Rs 39.50 crores nett at the box office so far. Film star Shahrukh Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer Chennai Express earned Rs 100 crores at the box office isn’t surprising at all.Chennai express first day collection was Rs 33.12 crore everyone has been anxiously waiting to see how soon it would enter the coveted Rs 100 crore club and whether it would break box office records of Salman Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger and Ranbir Kapoor’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (which made Rs 100 crore in just a week earlier this year). And yes, the Baadshah’s romcom has done it! All this, despite CE garnering not-so-positive reviews and not really thrilling the audiences. We guess that’s SRK‘s magic touch!
Chennai Express “Chennai Express has created history by crossing the Rs 100 crore mark in its opening weekend itself,” tweeted an elated Taran Adarsh. “That also makes it the fastest ever to reach this magical figure. The film was unstoppable all through the weekend. It has shattered previous records and set new benchmarks. Box office break-up: Highest paid preview movie: Rs 6.75 crore; highest opening day: Rs 33.12 crore; day two: Rs 28.05 crore; day three: Rs 32.50 crore. Collected Rs 100.42 crore nett in its opening weekend. Monstrous start!” He added: “Not just India, Rohit Shetty’s romcom fared exceptionally well overseas and has created history in USA and Canada. Collects $ 683,000 on Fri. May cross $ 700,000. Biggest Hindi opener. In Pakistan CE crossed $ 100,000 on Saturday. SUPERB!”
Bollywood town trade experts expected the Ekta Kapoor production to earn a minimum of Rs 60-80 crores in the first weekend, considering Akshay Kumar’s star power and good marketing buzz, but the Shahrukh Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer Chennai Express – which has done phenomenally well in its second week – played spoilsport for OUATIMD.
According to Box Office India, “The problem for OUATIMD was that its first day remained the best day despite the release being much smaller. The film collected well on the holiday but it was totally downhill after that and even Sunday not giving the film much of a lift.”
Exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi said, “OUATIMD has opened to a bit of both box office rewards and critical acclaim over the weekend gone by. It may not be the best opener for Akshay Kumar, but it’s started on a steady wicket considering the rather aggressive opposition of Chennai Express, which is still running on full steam! It will be crucial for the film to hold its ground today, which would ensure that it sails smooth into the safe waters.”
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted, “Despite the film being a sequel of a smash hit, OUATIMD has failed to live up to the massive expectations since the word of mouth is far from positive as well as the roadblock from Chennai Express. The film started off well on Thursday – paid previews, but was lower than Thursday on the remaining days – Friday to Sunday.”
The Rohit Shetty directed romcom Chennai Express is creating new records with each passing day and even in its second week, the entertainer has grossed around Rs 181.93 crores. “CE continued its victorious march. Although the business declined on Friday due to reduction in screen space and shows, besides a new release, the business gained momentum on Saturday and Sunday once again. A blockbuster!” tweeted Adarsh.
We hope the Shahrukh-Akshay Eid war has come to an end now, what with the Baadshah established his supremacy at the box office once again with CE, while Khiladi’s OUATIMD is still struggling to reach the enviable figure.
