Shahid Kapoor scores low as The Lunchbox fares well at box ofice

The Rajkumar Santoshi directorial had managed to make Rs 24.40 crore (till Monday; it was made for Rs 40 cr). On the other hand, the Irrfan Khan – starrer The Lunchbox, collected Rs 8.25 crore. What is in its favour, however, is that it was made for just `10 cr (approx).

Despite being one of the most heavily promoted Bollywood films in recent times, the Shahid Kapoor-starrer Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (PPNH) doesn’t seem to be doing too well at the box office this week. Trade experts have said the film’s performance over the first weekend is “below expectations”.

The Rajkumar Santoshi directorial had managed to make Rs 24.40 crore (till Monday; it was made for Rs 40 cr). On the other hand, the Irrfan Khan – starrer The Lunchbox, collected Rs 8.25 crore. What is in its favour, however, is that it was made for just `10 cr (approx).

“PPNH’s poor performance is a mystery because the film had everything going for it,” says trade expert Taran Adarsh. “Last week’s release, Grand Masti’s run has also affected PPNH.”

About The Lunchbox, expert Komal Nahta says, “It didn’t fare as well as we expected it to, especially after the rave reviews.” But distributor and exhibitor Akshaye Rathi opines, “The Lunchbox is a good film and, when names like Karan Johar and UTV back the film, it gets a natural push.” The film made just `1.15 crore on Monday.

As for PPNH, Rathi feels that although one doesn’t expect a Shahid Kapoor-starrer to open on a stupendous note, it hasn’t fared too badly either. “It looks like a satellite-friendly film. It could be sold at a decent price, which will help the makers break even,” he says. Interestingly, next Friday looks like an open field as there are no big releases lined up. “All the movies have an advantage now till October 2 (when Besharam releases),” says Nahta.

Numbergames
Phata Poter Nikla Hero
Friday: Rs 6 crore
Saturday: Rs 7 crore
Sunday: Rs 8.25 crore
Monday: Rs 3.15 crore
TOTAL: Rs 24.40 crore

The Lunchbox
Friday: Rs 6 crore
Saturday: Rs 7 crore
Sunday: Rs 8.25 crore
Monday: Rs 3.15 crore
TOTAL: Rs 24.40 crore

(Source: Taran Adarsh)