Badmaash Company full Boxoffice Collection

After Housefull opened to an excellent start last week, it was the turn of Badmaash Company to open to a heartening start at the box-office. Shahid Kapoor's last major release Chance Pe Dance (not counting Paathshaala) had fetched a below average start, so it was imperative that Badmaash Company fetch a good start at the ticket window. The opening numbers of Badmaash Company were an impressive 80% to 90% at places, while at places it ranged from 45% to 75%, which only improved towards the evening shows.

Badmaash Company grossed a decent 13.50 crore nett over its first weekend. The film did around 5 crore nett in Mumbai and around 3 crore nett in Delhi/UP. East Punjab added another 1 crore nett approx. The business on saturday and Sunday was better than Friday but jump was not huge.

The first week is looking to finish in the 19-21 crore nett depending on the how well the weekdays perform. The film will earn for its makers as costs are not very high and revenue from all sources will probably go near 30 crore.

The theatrical performance will should also be decent as the film does not have much competition next week and this should allow the film to hit the 30 crore nett lifetime mark.

Akshay Kumar's Housefull Box Office Collection (Record)

Housefull has taken an excellent start this morning over its first few shows. Multiplexes have seen excellent collections all over while single screens are also very good. The best collections have come in the North with Delhi city and East Punjab multiplexes being fantastic and Rajasthan and CI also performing superbly.

Some single screens in CP Berar had a slower start but multiplexes were good in the circuit. Hyderabad also suffered a bit as the city had a few bomb scare stories.

Overall the opening is big as was expected and bought relief all around after the dull period. The weekend should emerge with huge collections as Saturday is a holiday which will further boost the film.
Housefull Gives Akshay Kumar His Biggest Opening Ever

Akshay Kumar has his biggest opening ever in the form of Housefull. The early estimates also suggest the second biggest first day in the history of Hindi cinema. Based on very early estimates the first day business of Housefull is around the 10 crore nett region. This easily smashes the 7.25 crore nett for Singh is Kinng and 7.50 crore nett for Kambakkht Ishq which were the biggest first day openers of Akshay Kumar.

Housefull is looking to settle behind the record 13 crore nett of Three Idiots as the second biggest first day in the history of Hindi cinema but it has to be noted that the Three Idiots record was achieved on Christmas Day holiday which is regarded as the biggest day of the year for box office collections in India today. This makes Housefull the biggest non holiday opening day in the history of Hindi cinema.

Paathshaala and Phoonk 2 box office results

Shahid Kapoor-starrer 'Paathshaala' and Ram Gopal Varma's 'Phoonk 2' have failed to set the ticket windows buzzing. While the former got an average initial footfall thanks to Shahid's presence, the horror seems to have fallen flat.

The lukewarm response from audiences comes despite round-the-clock promotional activities for both the movies. While Shahid visited various schools to promote 'Paathshaala', Varma organised a digitally monitored scare dare contest for anyone who would watch 'Phoonk 2' alone in the movie hall - but in vain.

"The content for both the movies has been average. While 'Paathshaala' was good with around 50 percent occupancy over the weekend, 'Phoonk 2' wasn't that good enough with just 20 percent footfalls," Amit Awasthi, manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas, told us.

"It was only Shahid Kapoor's presence that brought in the initial footfalls for 'Paathshaala," he added.

Amit Shah, chief manager (programming) of DLF DT cinemas, also had something similar to say.

" 'Paathshaala' was an ok affair and brought in on an average 35 percent footfalls while 'Phoonk 2' has been disappointing with only 15 percent occupancy. The movie did not meet our expectations despite its hype," said Shah.

The debut production of choreographer Ahmad Khan, 'Paathshaala' is the directorial debut of Milind Ukey. Revolving around the commercialization and unethical practices related to the education system in the country, it also stars Nana Patekar, Suniel Shetty and Ayesha Takia.

Popular child actors Swini Khare, Ali Haji, Dwij Yadav and Avika Gor play pivotal roles in the movie.

'Phoonk 2', on the other hand, is a sequel to Varma's earlier film "Phoonk - The Black Magic Story". It has been written and directed by debutant Milind Gadagkar.

Actors Sudeep, Amruta Khanvilkar and child actor Ahsaas Channa play key roles in the movie that captures the fears of a family hostage to a spirit seeking revenge.

"Both movies have nothing much in terms of business. There's no content in them," said Tusshar Dhingra, COO of Big Cinemas.

Added a source from PVR cinemas: "Both movies have been average but 'Paathshaala' is better in comparison to 'Phoonk 2'. While the former got close to 30 percent footfalls, the latter got close to only 20 percent occupancy. The business for both, however, is almost over."

Said Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave Cinemas: "The weekend was average, as the movies have been average. While 'Paathshaala' brought in around 40 percent occupancy, 'Phoonk 2' has been close to only 30 percent."

Vivek Oberoi's Prince at box office business

I've always said, box-office is most unpredictable and that's the beauty of this business. The industry was confident that Kumar Taurani's Prince, starring Vivek Oberoi and directed by debutante Kookie Gulati, would embark on a thanda start at the ticket window, but its excellent start caught the industry completely unawares. The opening shows were in 50% to 70% range and at places, even better (packed to capacity).

After My Name is Khan, not a single film had registered a bountiful start at the ticket window. But Kumar Taurani's superb promotional strategy and Vivek Oberoi's perseverance seem to have paid off.

The second release, Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, had a tepid start. However, the reports are decent and the film should gather momentum from Friday evening onwards.

De Dana Dan has a favourable start

Priyadarshan's much-awaited De Dana Dan opened to a 75% start on Day 1. The opening varied from 50% at some screens, at some plexes specifically, but was 80% to 90% at several plexes and single screens too. But the heartening news is that the film is carrying positive reports, with the audience enjoying the film. On Saturday and Sunday, the business was expected huge.

Kurbaan gets a below the mark opening

The much-hyped Kurbaan opened to a below-the-mark response. The opening was 40% to 50% at plexes, but much lower at single screens. The film has had a wide release and the numbers were expected to be huge, but the opening day business was not in proportion with the stature of the film.

The next few days are crucial and the film should show an escalation in business. Meanwhile, the film fetched Rs. 1 crore in paid previews on Thursday night, according to a statement received by this writer from UTV.

2012 has a tremendous start at the BO

The Hollywood biggie, 2012, which has had a wide release in India, opened to a fabulous response across the country. The film embarked on a 90% + start at several screens, catching the industry by complete surprise. The stupendous opening was the topic of discussion on Friday.

Tum Mile proves that Emraan Hashmi is a box-office draw. After Jannat and Raaz, Tum Mile is his third film in a row to fetch an opening at the ticket window. The film opened to packed houses in the morning shows and was maintaining well at plexes during the course of the day. Of course, the business would've been better had 2012 wouldn't have proved a formidable opposition.

The third release, Aao Wish Karein, opened to a poor response.