The predictions pretty much came true to the T as 1920 – Evil Returns didn’t just manage to take a lead over many other films that released along with it, but it also took a head start and took an all-India opening of around 50% on it’s opening day. This is a good occupancy for a film which was basically targeted at single screen audiences and interiors (where it scored) and not really multiplexes (where it was expectedly slow). However, it is the moolah that counts and this Vikram Bhatt production had a lot to smile as around 13 crores came in the first weekend; is a very good number considering the film’s budget and cast.
Tia Bajpai And Aftab Shivdasani in a still from 1920 – Evil Returns Movie
Let’s look at some statistics here. The kind of opening that this Aftab Shivdasani and Tia Bajpai starrer has taken is equivalent to Kahaani, English Vinglish & Ferrari Ki Sawaari and much better than the likes of Vicky Donor and Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya. Now each of these is a film that went on to do good business and it would be interesting to see the kind of distance that Bhushan Patel directed 1920 – Evil Returns covers. More so since it now enjoys as good as two open weekends for itself (there is no notable film before the arrival of Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Son Of Sardaar till Diwali) which is a blessing by all means.
Kunal Kapoor in a still from Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana Movie
Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, which only had celebrity testimonials to make up for the lack of any substantial marketing or promotion, suffered from poor awareness and managed an opening weekend of around 5.5 crores. Given the fact that its opening day was a mere 1.25 crores, courtesy a 20%-25% occupancy, this was still a decent recovery that it managed to score. Though reviews ranged from average to good, audience reactions are mixed and poor opening has further been a cause of worry. The film would have to be super-strong during the weekdays to end anywhere over the 10 crores mark.
Rajpal Yadav in a still from Ata Pata Laapata Movie
Third release of the week, Ata Pata Lapata, was a case of being ‘lapata’ on its very day of release. There was no buzz, it was released very sparsely too, there were hardly any critics who watched it either (leave aside the audience) and ultimately it was the case of a film just arriving and going without even making it’s presence felt, leave aside being panned or appreciated.
Worse was the fate of films like Future To Bright Hai Ji, Le Gaya Saddam and animation film Sons Of Ram which couldn’t even stand on their feet and had absolutely nothing going in their favour. Each of these four films is a box office disaster!
