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."

Hitesh challenge to see the Phoonk 2 alone in the theater

Ram Gopal Varma's much awaited Phoonk 2 is releasing today. Phoonk 2 has already been in the headlines as the director claimed it to be much more scarier than the earlier Phoonk. A contest kinda was hosted by the director claiming that anybody who dared to watch Phoonk 2 alone without getting scared will be awarded Rs 5,00,000.

Five bravehearts were selected for the show from different parts of India. And the lucky draw fell for Hitesh Sharma from Mumbai to do the dare task. But unfortunately Hitesh couldn't withstand the scary scenes in the film.

He was made to see the movie alone in the theater and his heartbeats were monitored from in a screen outside the hall. After 45 minutes of the film Hitesh just took away his face from the screen and said that he could not take any more.

RGV said that he is very happy that they have won the challenge. Directed by debutant Milind Gadagkar, Phoonk 2, releasing today, is a sequel to Phoonk which was directed by Ram Gopal Varma.

Phoonk 2 Movie Review

Ramgopal Varma's love for horror and supernatural continues. This time, in PHOONK 2, the team behind PHOONK promise more chills, more thrills and more screams. But what you get to hear at the end of the screening is a moan, since PHOONK 2 lacks the chills, thrills and screams that were the mainstay of its first part.

A sequel works if it goes one step ahead of the first part, in terms of content mainly. But PHOONK 2 doesn't take a step forward, but a step backwards. So what's the problem? Let's get into the introspection mode...

The problem is, what does the viewer expect from PHOONK 2? More terrifying and scary moments, right? But PHOONK 2 comes across as one of those usual revenge films, which tries so hard to create an eerie atmosphere, but never succeeds. It's more of a slasher film actually!

The problem is, the pace of PHOONK 2 is excruciatingly slow, which just doesn't work for a horror film. The story unravels at a snail's pace and with hardly any terrifying/eerie moments in those two hours, the film falls flat on its face.

The problem is, PHOONK 2 fails in its writing. The idea is a master stroke and had writer turned director Milind Gadagkar handled it right, PHOONK 2 would've scared the daylights out of you. But the film looks incomplete and the viewer keeps wondering, where did the spirit disappear?

Final word? PHOONK 2 lacks the grip of PHOONK. A complete letdown!

PHOONK ends with the killing of Madhu [Ashwini Kalsekar], the woman who casts a black magic spell on Rajiv's [Sudeep] daughter Raksha [Ahsaas Channa]. PHOONK 2 begins with Madhu's ghost returning from the grave to seek revenge on the family.

Rajiv moves with his family to a new place. Raksha and her brother Rohan begin exploring the new place and the surroundings -- the lonely beach and then the woods behind the house. The terror begins with Raksha and Rohan finding a doll in the woods and then it progresses to a series of highly traumatizing experiences for the whole family.

Manja [Zakir Hussain], the only man whom Rajiv could turn to, meets a gruesome death at the hands of Madhu's ghost. Madhu seeks revenge on Rajiv by torturing his loved ones -- his wife Aarti [Amruta Khanvilkar] and their children, Raksha and Rohan -- in unimaginably cruel ways.

Debutante director Milind Gadagkar uses every trick in the book to make PHOONK 2 work - night shots, secluded bungalow, eerie silence, captivating sound design and zany camera angles. Gadagkar does everything right, but conveniently forgets that any film, irrespective of its genre, works if the story is captivating and moves constantly. In this case, the story just doesn't move in the first hour, except towards the interval point.

The post-interval portions show some movement, but a number of questions remain unanswered. What do Amit Sadh and Neeru see in the jungles that they start running helter-skelter? Also, if the spirit could enter a body [in this case, the wife's], where does it disappear when the wife falls off the terrace towards the end? Ideally, you expect the spirit to come face to face and battle it out with the already cornered Sudeep and his two kids. But the spirit doesn't!

Gadagkar had a brilliant idea, but he fails to translate it well on celluloid. To make matters worse, the film just doesn't scare you one bit. The sound design is right, while the movement of the camera reminds you so much of RGV-directed movies.

Sudeep does a fairly okay job. Amruta Khanvilkar is expressive enough. The kids, Ahsaas and the kid playing her brother - are efficient. Neeru and Amit Sadh don't get much scope. Ashwini Kalsekar is hardly there. Ganesh Yadav, Zakir Hussain and Jeeva make brief appearances. Anu Ansari is okay.

On the whole, PHOONK 2 is a good idea gone horribly wrong. Disappointing!