Raaz starts with a bang, Slumdog picks up

If the industry was sulking last week, courtesy Chandni Chowk To China, the smiles were back this Friday since Raaz – The Mystery Continues and Slumdog Millionaire were embraced with open arms by the audiences.

Let's talk of Raaz – The Mystery Continues first! The film registered a 70% - 80% start at several screens, which was almost double of Emraan Hashmi's previous hit Jannat and bigger than last week's biggie Chandni Chowk To China . Yes, you read it right! Raaz – The Mystery Continues may've cost 1/3rd of what CC2C has cost, but the opening numbers were bigger than that film. The evening shows of Raaz – The Mystery Continues were packed everywhere and the audience feedback is very good. The film is a success for sure. How big a success, only time will tell.

Raaz – The Mystery Continues should be Emraan and director Mohit Suri's biggest opener to date. Emraan is one of those rare actors who has consistently delivered solo-hero hits, while Mohit Suri should be elated since Awarapan got critical acclaim, while Raaz – The Mystery Continues is winning critical acclaim, besides fetching impressive numbers at the ticket window.

The much-in-news Slumdog Millionaire started on a slow note, but picked up towards the evening shows on Friday. The multiplexes were encouraging at places, while the single screens weren't. However, the reports are wonderful and that reflected in the evening shows at most plexes. According to several exhibitors, the business is sure to grow in the coming days