After 2017’s disappointing box office run, the new year opened with a whisper instead of a scream. The first week saw the release of three films, Mukkabaaz , Kaalakaandi and 1921 . While the latter is easily the most commercial venture of the trio, the first two firmly fall into the niche category of small films we’ve grown accustomed to in the past year.
Despite critical acclaim and favourable word of mouth — even Aamir Khan’s endorsement for Saif Ali Khan’s film — 1921 has beaten both its competitors at the box office. Although, that’s not saying much considering the horror film has only made about Rs 13.5 crore net. However, the film did face issues with multiplexes on Friday losing a portion of revenue. The cinema halls have been incensed about the film’s digital launch immediately following its theatrical release. While the problem did get solved, 1921 lost most of Friday’s shows. “It’s a more mass film compared to the others and has been targeting single screens,” says Shailesh Kapoor of Ormax Media, a film specialising in trade insights, talking about its popularity among the three releases.
On the other hand, Kaalakaandi has been declared a failure through and through, especially since the film was initially billed to have an exclusively digital release. Made on a reported budget of approximately Rs 10 crore, it’s only managed to scrounge up Rs 4.74 crore net. Its digital revenue though could perhaps turn around the loss. Then there’s Mukkabaaz which has been received well in urban multiplex metros in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru but only opened at Rs 75 lakh net. Reportedly made on a tight budget of Rs 5 to 6 crore, the film has collected Rs 8.69 crore net so far.
In the new year’s second week, yet again we saw two very small releases. While Vodka Diaries collected Rs 25 lakhs net on its opening day, My Birthday Song only managed Rs 3 lakhs net. This Friday with Padman ’s postponed release date, all eyes are on Padmaavat . “After the release of Tiger Zinda Hai , people are waiting for a big film to go to the theatres,” says Kapoor referring to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film. “As a normal audience member, I don’t want to spend money on four films in a month, I’d rather just watch one big film.”
To put it simply, this anticipation ends up side-lining the smaller films, which is what seems to have happened these past couple of weeks. By all accounts though, January’s fate seems to be in good hands with Bhansali and Akshay Kumar’s Padman .
