The teenage Alice may have wooed the West but on Indian shores, her magic doesn’t seem to be working. Or so, our film trade analysts would like us to believe. After James Cameron’s Avatar, expectations were high for Tim Burton’s adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic.
“Even Johnny Depp couldn’t reel in his young fans who are too busy studying to go to the theatres,” says Amod Mehra, a trade analyst, adding that the teenaged Alice in this version is also getting disapproving frowns from purists.
Amitabh Vardan, of PVR, however, insists that the opening was decent and the 3D shows were completely sold out. “The film should sustain till April 15,” he asserts. Utpal Acharya, of Inox, endorses the same fact, saying that despite competition from Bollywood films like Right Yaa Wrong, Alice In Wonderland has grossed over 50 per cent in its first weekend, with the 3D version faring even better, even though it is nowhere close to Avatar. Acharya points out that in India, animation films are meant only for kids and they do not bring in a mass audience. “When Cars released, my wife took our child for the movie, but I gave it a miss because we didn’t want to waste Rs 200,” he points out.
However, Vinod Mirani, editor, Box Office Magazine, disagrees, “Animation is entering our industry in a big way. Alice In Wonderland might have worked better had it been better timed. Why would you release a film like this during the exams and the IPL?” Disney has dubbed Alice In Wonderland in Tamil and Telugu as well, which will release on April 30.
However, Vinod Mirani, editor, Box Office Magazine, disagrees, “Animation is entering our industry in a big way. Alice In Wonderland might have worked better had it been better timed. Why would you release a film like this during the exams and the IPL?” Disney has dubbed Alice In Wonderland in Tamil and Telugu as well, which will release on April 30.