Roland Emmerich's doomsday epic 2012 , released last Friday, has shattered Bollywood producers who had coincided the releases of their films.
The Hollywood blockbuster grossed Rs 19.15 crore in its opening weekend across India, surpassing many Hindi biggies in terms of first weekend collections.
While Karan Johar's Wake Up Sid earned Rs 13 crore in the first weekend, Salman Khan- Ajay Devgn starrer London Dreams made Rs 15 crore. Diwali releases — All The Best and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna — earned Rs 10 crore and Rs 4 crore respectively in the opening weekend.
“ Films such as 2012 have a widespread appeal because they are not dependant on language. Since such films are high on special effects and shock value, it helps viewers relate to them due to the thrill factor. That's why they are big hits in single screens and small centres too,” says filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra.
Kercy Daruwala, managing director of Sony Pictures India, says 2012 has “ performed exceedingly well in both metros as well as smaller centres ( in India) appealing to a large range of audiences, including families drawn to the personal family storyline”.
Tum Mile from the Bhatt stable, which opened along with 2012 , hasn't posed much of a challenge. It collected nearly Rs 9 crore in the first weekend at the box office.
“A flood shot in Tum Mile is nowhere close to the VFX- created mind- blowing tsunami in 2012 . If the audiences are looking for a thrill, why would they go to watch Tum Mile and not 2012 ,” points out Mundhra.
2012 was released simultaneously in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu with 676 prints. Spiderman 3 came with 588 prints while Quantum of Solace had opened with 600 prints in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
However, trade experts say “audiences can't be pulled in theatres by prints.” Taran Adarsh feels the film embarked on a 90- plus opening “catching the film industry by complete surprise. The stupendous opening was the topic of discussion on Friday.”
“ 2012 opened to a houseful response. A lot of its success has to do with the hype and huge build- up to its release. Till Monday, the occupancy level has been 75 per cent. Kurbaan 's release (next week) too won't affect it much,” wraps up Munish Sharma, general manager ( marketing), Satyam Cineplexes.
