Wednesday, 31st July 09:00 PM IST
Gangster films seems to be striking chord with audience and producers for last few years. "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai" struck gold at box office and brought Milan Luthria back as director. Hit songs coupled with stellar performances from Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi swept box office. Now Balaji is bringing sequel to the gangster saga with new cast Akshay and Imran with Sonakshi under same director and writer duo of Milan - Rajat.
Today on popular demand, we are bringing these early estimated predictions for “Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara” 15 days in advance instead of 5 days.
Release Size:
Film had its share of issues regarding release. Release date was announced almost 10 months back and film was ready to rock on Eid 2013 but then Shahrukh starrer "Chennai Express" also claimed the same date. Senses prevailed (unlike last year diwali) and film was pushed to 15th August providing win win situation for both the films but is this really the case?
There will not be many exhibitors who will accept the fact openly but truth is that OUATIMD will have maximum of 2000 screens on disposal from 15th August as film will find very few single screens who will willing to pull down "Chennai Express" in 6 days after paying rental for full 7 days. On top of that film will find tough to get through many single screens which already has agreement in place with U TV for "Chennai Express" and "Satyagraha". So it will be a huge task for distributors and Bala Ji to accommodate such a big film.
The Film And Content:
Film has a hit music as expected from Pritam but some how it has not picked up to the level of first installment. But still that will not hurt in any which way. But the few setbacks like changing of film''s name again and again, pushing release date and not such on the face promotion is hurting the film''s buzz currently.
We have seen in recent past that sequels like "Murder 3" or YPD 2 fizzled at box office because there was nothing new to offer but this will not be the case with this one as no one can doubt Rajat Arrora and Milan after TDP and OUATIM. Though instead of action orientated theme this tagline of "This time its personal" might deter few.
The Cast:
Film is a star studded affair but the real problem is Imran Khan who completely looks out of sort in this role that too in a massy gangster avtar. But then there is Akshay Kumar who can carry embarrassing films like "Khiladi 786" on his able shoulders. Film will be dependent on Akki''s star power and he will not disappoint for sure. Sonakshi will be a plus too.
The Numbers:
Now we know that "Chennai Express" will be in its 7th day when OUATIMD will hit the screens on 15th August which means a tough battle at box office especially due to poor screen size as mentioned earlier. Unless Balaji figures out something out of the world, film will run into real tough situations in India as well as overseas which is always a problem due to clash with SRK starrer.
But on other hand, there is big plus and that is week of 15th August to 22nd August. It might not known to all but this week is actually bigger than the previous week of Eid as 15th August National holiday, Raksha Bandhan on 20th and Puja a day before Rakhi on 19th will ensure huge numbers in UP, Bihar, Delhi, CI, CP and Gujarat. This will benefit OUATIMD as by then "Chennai Express" will be 2nd choice.
Overall OUATIMD depends heavily on release size at the moment and that situation looks bleak and film needs good release in order to score at box office. Akshay Kumar is good enough to bring huge numbers ( i.e. "Rowdy Rathore") but he needs screens to do that.
We have compiled this prediction considering the information that we got from leading distributors and exhibitors about film''''s prospects and agreements about screen size.
(we will re - evaluate the prediction in case there is any change in release plans as few rumors suggest)
Box Office Prediction:
| Collections (nett) |
Domestic Business | |
Thursday | 18 cr |
Friday | 11 cr |
Saturday | 08 cr |
Sunday | 15 cr |
First Weekend | 52 cr |
Monday - Thursday | 16 cr |
First Week
| 68 cr |
Lifetime Overseas Business | 18 cr |
Lifetime Domestic Business | 104 cr |