Gandhi My Father shows shocking result

THIS WEEK IN 2006
[Weekend: August 4-6, 2006]

Releasing two, three, four films in one week is considered professional harakiri. The power to sustain at the box-office has reduced over the years. That was evident last Friday, when three films [Anthony Kaun Hai?, Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar and Darwaza Bandh Rakho], starring known names all, opened to a mixed response.

Expectedly, Anthony Kaun Hai? had the best start of the three. The Munnabhai M.B.B.S. combo of Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi attracted footfalls at movieplexes and the opening ranged from 35% to 55% at various screens. Darwaza Bandh Rakho followed next, with a 15%-20% opening, while Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar had an embarrassingly low start [5%-10%].

There was a lull before the storm. That's precisely what the film industry witnessed one week before the keenly anticipated Mnagal Pandy hit the screens.

A 'dry week' is unimaginable, considering the heavy flow of films week after week. On an average, the industry witnessed the release of three/four films per week since the start of this year and the trend was likely to continue till the year comes to a close. Hence, the release of just one film, in limited shows at four multiplexes of Mumbai, did come as a surprise. The film, Shwet - White Rainbow, was released with as good as nil publicity and its disastrous outcome, therefore, didn't come as a surprise.

Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, David Dhawan's latest comic caper, had gripped the nation. Despite cricket matches. Despite heavy rains lashing various parts of the country. The opening weekend as well as the business on the subsequent days had been phenomenal.

At places where house full boards were a rarity, it was heartening to witness serpentine queues outside those theatres. The first week business of the film was expected to be grand, at par with the first week business of Main Hoon Na at several centres.

So what really attracted the audiences in hordes? The catchy promos aided by a popular musical score did the trick. Of course, the fresh casting [Salman, Akshay and Priyanka were teamed for the first time] and David Dhawan's impressive track record also contributed enormously in garnering a speedy start.