Domestic B.O : Plain average!... Contd.

THIS WEEK IN 2005
[Weekend: June 3-5, 2005]

Gangster films fare the best in Mumbai. The Mumbaiya flavor, the tapori lingo, the backdrop of the film, the ambience... these factors are identifiable more in this state than elsewhere. Therefore, it didn't come as a surprise that D had the best start in Mumbai.

D started slow in Mumbai. The opening shows were in the range of 45% +, but a strong word of mouth gradually attracted cinegoers before the first day came to a close. This low-budget film, filmed mostly in the bylanes of Mumbai, had an exciting weekend in Mumbai and several centres of Maharashtra.

In other circuits, expectedly, the film failed to garner the same reception.

THIS WEEK IN 2004
[Weekend: May 28-30, 2004]

A film starring six top-of-the-line stars [Yuva] doesn't take a good start at several centres. On the other hand, a Saif Ali Khan - Rani Mukerji starrer [Hum Tum] opened to a fabulous response at all metros, with the weekend shows being full in advance. This, when the film trade was of the opinion that Saif alone is no box-office draw.

How does one explain this? I would say, big ideas work, not necessarily big films!

Hum Tum wasn't hot within the film industry. In fact, all and sundry were busy speculating the business potential of Yuva and the three Big B starrers that are scheduled for release in June. But Hum Tum emerged a success story thanks to four reasons -- deft handling of the material by Kunal Kohli, a gripping script, expert performances and soulful music.