After
a
spate
of
no
shows,
it
was
back
to
packed
shows.
The
two
diverse
films,
Welcome
and
Taare
Zameen
Par,
infused
life
in
the
veins
of
the
industry
that
had
suffered
massive
blows
in
the
past
few
weeks.
The
energetic
ticket
sales
also
reiterated
the
fact
that
two
biggies
can
easily
co-exist
in
one
week,
even
in
today's
times.
It
was
more
than
evident
that
Welcome
would
steal
the
march
thanks
to
its
electrifying
star
cast
and
the
crew
behind
this
multi-starrer.
Plus,
the
genre
[comedy]
had
called
the
shots
this
year.
Add
to
it
Akshay
Kumar's
all-time
high
popularity
as
also
a
5-day
weekend,
which
would
only
ensure
solid
figures
for
its
distributors.
The
calculations
were
right
and
the
film
fetched
a
flying
start
everywhere.
The
distributors
did
lose
out
on
substantial
revenue
thanks
to
the
disagreement
over
terms
at
multiplexes,
till
Friday
evening.
But
Saturday
and
Sunday
were
rocking.
The
collections
were
at
par/surpassing
massive
openers
like
Om
Shanti
Omand
DHOOM
2.
Monday
was
fantastic
as
well,
with
the
film
performing
exceedingly
well
on
this
'working
day'
[80%
+],
while
Tuesday
[Christmas]
was
superb,
almost
cent
per
cent.
The
first
5-day
nett
is
27
cr.
[as
per
Studio
18]
and
the
first
week
billing
is
expected
to
be
in
the
range
of
Om
Shanti
Om
The
distributors
are
retaining
the
same
venues
and
shows
[give
and
take
a
show
or
two
here
and
there]
and
one
expects
Welcome
to
go
on
a
rampage
in
its
second
weekend
as
well.
For
its
distributors,
this
film
is
a
lottery!
Taare
Zameen
Par
had
a
slow
start
at
places.
The
no-show
at
multiplexes
till
Friday
noon/evening
[except
PVR]
affected
its
opening.
The
distributors'
strategy
of
opening
the
film
at
multiplexes
mainly
and
'A'
class
single
screens
across
the
country
has
paid
off,
with
the
film
running
to
packed
houses
on
the
sheer
strength
of
its
merits.
Taare
Zameen
Par
hasn't
penetrated
into
smaller
centres
because,
like
Aamir
Khan
honestly
[and
rightly]
reasoned,
"Welcome
would
be
the
first
choice
at
smaller
centres
and
releasing
Taare
Zameen
Par
alongside
would
only
cost
us
dear.
Hence,
the
smaller
centres
would
open
only
after
two
weeks,
once
the
Welcome
effect
tapers."
Taare
Zameen
Par
has
received
unprecedented
acclaim
from
critics,
viewers,
intelligentsia,
everyone…
The
business
has
been
on
an
upswing
with
each
passing
day.
The
film
should
grow
further
in
the
coming
days
thanks
to
a
strong
word
of
mouth
as
also
the
absence
of
a
major
release
till
11th
January.
And
I
foresee
a
very
long
run
for
this
fantastic
film.
For
the
producers,
Taare
Zameen
Par
is
already
a
profitable
venture
since
the
price
fetched
from
the
Overseas
territory
is
enough
to
recover
the
principal
cost
of
the
film
[if
one
excludes
Aamir's
remuneration
as
an
actor.
He
hasn't
charged
anything
as
the
director,
he
told
me].
Santa
Claus
made
our
wishes
come
true
this
Christmas!