New Delhi, Feb 2: The Hindi version of Kamal Haasan's ‘Vishwaroopam' opened to good response in the Northern region on Friday, with multiplex owners claiming that the controversy surrounding the movie has generated more curiosity among the audience.
Titled ‘Vishwaroop', the film saw an average occupancy of about 50 to 60 per cent across theatres in north India today without any untoward incident barring some protests in Lucknow.
“The film has generated quite a lot of hype and the controversy seems to have turned out to be a positive publicity here. The occupancy rates were about 60 to 70 per cent today across DT Cinemas and we expect it to go up to 100 per cent over the weekend,” DT cinemas spokesperson Anant Verma told PTI.
‘Vishwaroop' has been given three to four shows per day in the 18 odd screens that DT Cinemas have in Delhi and there have been no disruptions in the screenings here, he said.
“I have heard of some problems in UP, but in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab shows have been conducted peacefully,” Verma said, adding that the advance bookings for the film have also been good.
Despite facing a ban in Tamil Nadu and minor problems in the neighbouring states, the film has seen a good response both in southern and northern regions.
“The movie has done exceptionally well with occupancy of 80 per cent plus in south zone and 50 per cent in north zone respectively and we are expecting it to rise further in the coming weekend. As far as the advance booking is concerned, it is expected to rise in the coming weeks especially over the weekends,” PVR Pictures President Kamal Gianchandani said in a statement.
There were some protests by a Muslim group in Lucknow, demanding that “objectionable portions be deleted” and the film be “banned from release in Uttar Pradesh”.
‘Vishwaroop' however released in the UP capital amidst tight security. Force was deployed in strength around the theatres and malls running the film.
The film had a smooth release in Kanpur, UP, with 27 shows in four multiplexes and three single-screen theatres with a good turnout.
“We didn't have any directive related to the film from the administration to stop the release. So the film has released smoothly in theatres. We have not received any report of trouble from any theatre,” Kanpur DM MP Agrawal said. ‘Vishwaroop' released today alongwith Deepa Mehta's ‘Midnight's Children' and Bejoy Nambiar's ‘David'.
