Biz talk with Taran Adarsh:Slump continues!
The slump continues! The two new releases haven’t really quenched the thirst of the industry. At least BHOOTHNATH fared slightly better, but JIMMY was panned by almost everyone who watched it.
BHOOTHNATH had a slow Friday, picked up on Saturday, while Sunday was the best. But the business came sliding downwards from Monday onwards. Let’s check out the day-wise response to the film at Indore multiplexes, one of the barometers.
Cinema Friday Saturday Sunday Monday
Inox 59,300 70,800 1,44,000 50,000
Adlabs 55,000 85,000 1,61,900 42,300
PVR 1,01,700 1,43,500 1,64,500 76,800
Velocity 39,500 45,700 1,35,300 29,200
In the first place, what does one attribute the poor start to? A prominent producer feels that the film deserved better promotion. That the film starred two superstars [Big B, SRK] should’ve been highlighted aggressively via all mediums of promotions. I endorse this viewpoint. Sure, SRK has a guest appearance, but his presence in a film adds so much weight to a project. Why did the makers start running the SRK promos so late?
Did cricket eat into BHOOTHNATH’s business? Partly! The matches are nearing the climax and I feel, the last few days will be very hard for most movies. IPL has caught the fancy of one and all. Let me cite an instance. At the premiere of JIMMY at Cinemax Versova, the guests were more interested in knowing what the score was [a giant television screen has been set up in the foyer of this plush multiplex], rather than watch Mimoh’s debut film.
Back to BHOOTHNATH. The week-days haven’t been good, but there’s hope that it might stay afloat in its second weekend. If it does, it might scrape through. If it doesn’t, bad luck!
When I watched TASHAN at a private screening at Yash Raj, I felt it was one of the most terrible movies I’ve watched over the years. I love the 1970s and 1980s cinema, I have grown up on the masala movies, I have very fond memories of cinema of yore. Then I watched MR. WHITE MR. BLACK and I felt TASHAN had finally met its match. And then I watched JIMMY. Actually, JIMMY takes the award!
Last year, I remember, the makers of JIMMY launched its first theatrical trailer with PARTNER. I actually rubbed my eyes in disbelief then. The promo was tacky and outdated. My worst fears came true when I watched this misadventure. I’ve sat through the most unbearable of movies, but I really had a tough time watching JIMMY. What’s wrong, did you ask? What’s right, I’d say.
Anyways, the results are for all to see. JIMMY should be an eye-opener for all those film-makers and writers who’re still stuck up in the 1970s era. Wake up, smell coffee, the times have changed, the mindset of the viewers has also undergone a sea-change, mediocrity is out.
Rohit,
It is for a lack of better word, just a misunderstanding.
Your intentions are pure.
Lets not get hung up on one ...
Satyam, read jayshah's reply on screening. He will educate you a bit.
The most frustrating thing with it comes to ...
For my part, I'll say this, although I was initially going to give Rohit an email myself...
I've been a part ...
Gnight little bro. Hope by the time you wake , this all looks like a dream and not resemble a ...
I hope everything will be normal when i wake up tomorrow..
And this will be my last comment till Satyam shows ...
Have to leave for a meeting now. 
Rocky- Gusse mein log bahut kuch bol dete hain, they don't always mean it or regret it later.
Comment by Simply Som on 14 May 2008:
“Did cricket eat into BHOOTHNATH’s business? Partly! The matches are nearing the climax and I feel, the last few days will be very hard for most movies. IPL has caught the fancy of one and all.”
This is a very valid point indeed which I have also said it couple of times before.IPL has just taken India by storm and has very much caught the fancy of Indian public and made them glued to it.
Its quite a possibility that the evening shows and the night shows would be getting affected because of IPL matches.Cricket has always been the first choice..
Comment by Tango on 14 May 2008:
Very sad as people who could and should have supported Bhoothnath just shied away from doing so, for obvious reasons.
These same people will sell their soul for Sarkar Raj.
Comment by gaurav on 14 May 2008:
Hi Tango,
Is Taran right? What do you think of bhootnath’s chances at this point?
Comment by satyam on 14 May 2008:
But Taran’s own numbers give the lie to his piece. The film is actually stable Mon-Wed!
Comment by Simply Som on 14 May 2008:
“But Taran’s own numbers give the lie to his piece. The film is actually stable Mon-Wed!”
Taran does not have the Tueday and Wednesday numbers.He has only for Monday which seems to have taken a fall by more than 50% if we take Sunday to be 80-90%.more than 50% fall in the weekdays can’t really be called as stable IMO.
Comment by rockstar on 14 May 2008:
well on saturday numbers will be out only , same weekend tamasha continue with other movie (jodha akbar) by some , what happened no wonder what certain people say fact of the matter is it is the biggest hit of the year
Comment by akshay shah on 14 May 2008:
A comparison between BHOOTNATH and SARKAR RAJ just isn’t fair IMO…..!
Comment by Tango on 14 May 2008:
Gaurav- It will scrape through to success, I still believe. And that will be no mean achievement during the IPL mania.
Comment by gaurav on 14 May 2008:
it will be really unfortunate if a movie like bhootnath, well made and with an author backed role for AB, fails because of extraneous factors like IPL. Sarkar Raj is fine, but AB likely wont be the leading man there ….
Comment by Tango on 14 May 2008:
Correct Akshayshah “A comparison between BHOOTNATH and SARKAR RAJ just isn’t fair IMO”
Sarkar Raj will open to a thumping response no doubt, moreso in Bombay teritory and South.
But the lack of enthusiasm to Amitabh Bachchan releases is what is the point here. Be it Bhoothnath, The Last Lear and Shoebite.
Chalo Bhoothnath may not be cinematically brilliant but I am quite sure The Last lear and Shoebite are gonna be class A products.
Comment by akshay shah on 14 May 2008:
Tango: Just because someone is a “fan” of an actor, doesn’t mean one has to ALWAYS look forward to EVERY film of the actor.
Case in point..I’m a HUGE Bachchan fan (heck I saw AAG in cinema twice), but felt no GREAT urge or hype to see BHOOTNATH in theatre, infact I said all along the movie looked like another PAHELI and nothing special!
THE LAST LEAR and SHOEBITE On the other hand im extremely hyped for….and im sure these 2 films will find their own audience too(niche)!
Comment by akshay shah on 14 May 2008:
BTW Bade…whats the hype/buzz for CHANDNI CHOWK? Any news on promos or music?!
Comment by Tango on 14 May 2008:
Not yet about CCCT Chote, but I feel itna mehnga nahi bechna chahiye the other Akki film, Singh Is Kinng. The equation becomes difficult.
Bhoothnath, is a fairly entertaining movie, I must tell you. Yeah the entry scene is abit of alet down, plus the end has to be pruned.
Abt the other Big B movies I’ll still watch an Ek Ajnabee many times over an RGV Ki Aag or Nishabd and for that matter a Cheeni Kum too is very watchable for me.
Comment by Tango on 14 May 2008:
Must add here that Nishabd has a been a victim of some atrociously misleading ads.
Comment by akshay shah on 14 May 2008:
Yeah NISHABD Is one that I have a GREAT weakness for..EK AJNABEE was fairly entertaining though I would take something like FAMILY over it…
Comment by satyam on 15 May 2008:
Som: Check that link again. Tue and Wed numbers are available and the film has been very stable Mon through Wed.
Comment by nithi_s on 15 May 2008:
So, The film has been stable Mon through Wed?
If the absolute authority says so, it MUST be believed.
Comment by rockstar on 15 May 2008:
thanks for pointing this out satyam looks stable though with 50% drop not bad with ipl around i guess it will scrap through
Comment by Simply Som on 15 May 2008:
thanks Satyam for the link. Yeah it is stable from Mon-Wed but very much on the lower side.when you compare the weekdays numbers with that of Sunday ,the fall seems to be more than 50% which is not a good thing IMO.anyway lets see how it does in the 2nd weekend.