The news is that audiences have begun to return to the cinema halls. After the 26/11 terror attacks, movie ticket sales had plummeted not only in Mumbai but all over India.
All films that released in the immediate weeks tanked. Trade reports confirmed that some shows were cancelled because not even one person turned up. The films that bombed were Sorry Bhai, Dil Kabaddi and Maharathi.
The gloom cleared this Friday with the return of moviegoers to the cinema halls for Aditya Chopra’s Rab ne Bana di Jodi featuring Shah Rukh Khan.
It has evoked mixed reactions, but is on its way to be counted among the hits of the year. Made on an estimated budget of Rs 35 crore, it is expected to recover its investment and some more.
It recorded its best business in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and most of the north. In the overseas market, it scored particularly well in the UK and West Asia.
“Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has definitely managed to bring the audience back to the theatres,” said Mahendra Soni, a Kolkata film distributor.
{{/usCountry}}“Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has definitely managed to bring the audience back to the theatres,” said Mahendra Soni, a Kolkata film distributor.
{{/usCountry}}Vikas Mohan, trade analyst and editor of Super Cinema, a film trade magazine, said, “Only one actor, Shah Rukh Khan, could manage to bring back the family audience to the theatres and he did. Everyone in the trade is smiling.”
Collecting about Rs 5.75 crore across India on day one, Rab ne... is expected to net Rs 28 crore in a week almost on par with the year’s major hit Golmaal Returns.