Domestic B.O.: Business shoots up... Contd

THIS WEEK IN 2006
[Weekend: May 26-28, 2006]

Fanna opened to packed houses from East to West, from North to South. In terms of business, the opening was bigger and better than RANG DE BASANTI and MANGAL PANDEY. Fanna was 90%-95% at both multiplexes as well as single screens.

The first day collections were unprecedented. In Indore, where most film crash on Day 1 itself, Fanna had a record start. In Jodhpur, another 'A' class centre of Rajasthan, one prominent theatrewala was jumping with joy, "Jitne log theatre ke andar hain, utne theatre ke baahar." Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad... it was a frenzy. Fanna had embarked on a record start everywhere.

THIS WEEK IN 2005
[Weekend: May 27-29, 2005]

It's Yash Raj again! Bunty Aur Babli opened on May 27 last year, while Fanna on May 26 -- is it a mere coincidence? It was a foregone conclusion that Bunty Aur Babli, starring the two Bachchans together for the first time, would open to a historic start everywhere. The Yash Raj brand, coupled with the fact that the real-life father-son jodi were paired for the first time, generated tremendous curiosity prior to its release.

Although the opening of Bunty Aur Babli wasn't cent per cent everywhere [extra-ordinary at multiplexes and big centres], the pairing of the two Bachchans, the Yash Raj brand and of course, 'Kajra Re' went on to make Bunty Aur Babli a big grosser.

THIS WEEK IN 2004
[Weekend: May 21-23, 2004]

Yuva was touted as one of those biggies that would bail the industry out of its current crisis. Unfortunately, the film did not live up to the gargantuan expectations. The film trade was in a state of shock, what with the distributors and exhibitors having invested all their faith and fortune in this mega venture that was expected to be a money-spinner.

The general feeling within the industry is that films targeted at the youth work wonders at the turnstiles. In this case, not only did the film star six top-of-the-line youngsters, even the title [Yuva] was youth-oriented. So why did the audiences accord a cold welcome to this flick? Whatever the reasons, the not-too-happening opening response to the film proved that big names do not necessarily guarantee big openings.

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