Ihab

I have been a Box office enthusiast since 4 years and also been following Hindi Movies quite actively since a long time but Never have I seen such hype, Buzz, Curiosity etc around a Hindi movie like this before. I mean there have been couple of movies like OSO, Ghajini, Singh Is Kingg etc which enjoyed good buzz but the Buzz which MNIK is enjoying is something different.

First and foremost, MNIK is SRK’s first movie after 14 months, the longest gap he has ever taken. Then, it is a SRk-KJO-Kajol movie, which kept the movie in news since a year and which will surely make people get up and notice it. Then, the movie had tie ins with several brands like makemytrip, Centuryply, Dishtv, and dozen more which promoted MNIK side by side. Heavy promotion there. Last but certainly not the least, SRK and MNIK have made headlines for two weeks thanks to Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena antics, have made sure that the movie is noticed by almost everyone even though they were aiming for banning it. Stupid folks. Good for SRK. And SRK has become a sort of hero among public and Media with some channels putting titles like “Salaam SRK!” for not bowing down to SS. And public have been firmly behind SRK throughout the controversy and SRK was supported even more when he quietly refused to apologize.

I personally want MNIK to be a really good movie. Honestly, I have never liked any KJO directed movies from KKHH to KANK. But I am still expecting MNIK to be real good. Not expecting a Masterpiece but expecting a really good “enjoyable” movie which will be able to send the message its trying to tell. As a muslim, I want it to succeed and have a good impact IF the movie is good(and hopefully not antimuslim like ..ahem.. Kurbaan), ofcourse. I am not a very religious person but I cant deny the fact that it hurts a little to see the bashing we normal Muslims or Islam gets today. I have never written a post ever on this religious matter but It did hurt a little when people were making it seem like all Muslims = barbaric Talibans when it is clear that Talibans themselves are just scumbags who are killing people even in a muslim countries like Pakistan and Afgahnistan. (K, hopefully no discussion on this point on this thread )

Now boxoffice wise, I am expecting this movie to break every single record when it comes to First day and first weekend. Seriously, people are kinda underestimating the buzz. The first day and weekend record is 13 – 13.25 crs and 38.5 – 39 crores respectively. I am expecting MNIK to do something like 14 and 40+.
I know anywhere in 30’s crores is going to be good for MNIK but if the movie makes less than what 3 Idiots made in first weekend, then atleast I am going to be disappointed. Let me get this straight – 3 Idiots had <50% buzz of what MNIK is enjoying right now. Aamir was roaming around country and news channel probably gave like an hour in a day to his footage whereas MNIK was in news for almost half a day. Unlike Ghajini, people became aware of 3 Idiots after its first promo hit the screen. Also, MNIK is getting pretty wide and good release much on the lines of 3 Idiots. Hell, SRK is even called King of Multiplexes (Which I strongly disagree because Aamir is clear Star of plexes. A supposedly massy movie like ghajini made 70+ crs from Plexes and 3 Idiots made 160 crs from plexes. And RNBDJ or OSO arent even close in plexes.)

IMO, MNIK should break advance booking record, Opening day record and weekend record . I am almost sure that MNIK will not be able to beat the first week record becoz 3 Idiots was out of this world on weekdays which I dont think MNIK will be. So my predictions are for a 40-42 crores Weekend. First week and Final is a little tough to predict this early. And overseas predicting will be probably fail. But anything less than 3 Idiots in Overseas, which I highly doubt, will again be a massive disappointment.

NOTE :- not comparing 3 idiots BO and MNIK but when it comes to opening, you gotta compare as both were/are hugely awaited movies with biggest stars. Also, Aamir IMO will become a clear No.1 crowd puller if MNIK doesnt make more than 3 Idiots on 1st day and 1st weekend. Final total shouldnt really be compared as what 3 Idiots did was simply phenomenal and I dont see any movie repeating that for few years atleast (Though anything can happen.. Ghajini’s total was phenomenal at tht time but 3 Idiots made it seem like peanuts. Prob MNIK too might beat 3 I?).

MNIK is FDFS for me. I wasnt even excited about 3I like this. The excitement is more on the lines of Avatar.. Hopefully the movie will not disappoint. What about you guys?

P.S :- Heard few reviews are out and they are highly positive. Good sign. Didnt read reviews, just saw the ratings, as I dont want to spoil anything for me.