This week’s GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI may have been a slow starter in the morning shows on the first day (yesterday, February 25) but considering that it is a woman-centric film with no hero (Ajay Devgan is in a guest appearance), the film did very well as collections picked up from the afternoon shows.

Before You Die bombed miserably everywhere in the first week.

Pyar Mein Thoda Twist fared miserably in the first week all over.

Uncharted (dubbed and original English version) did fair business in 1st week.

Badhaai Do started the second week with a take of Rs. 0.75 crore on the first day. Collections doubled to Rs. 1.50 crore on Saturday. They increased to Rs. 2 crore on Sunday, taking the second weekend’s total to Rs. 4.25 crore. Collections for the weekdays were as follows: Monday – Rs. 0.55 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 0.50 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 0.45 crore, Thursday – Rs. 0.40 crore. Total for the weekdays was, therefore, Rs. 1.90 crore. Hence the second week’s total was Rs. 6.15 crore. Grand total for 2 weeks: Rs. 18.20 crore.

Pawankhind (Marathi) did exceptionally well in the first week all over Maharashtra. It is poised to be a hit.

Jiddari (Marathi) fared poorly in the first week all over Maharashtra.

Sooryavanshi opened huge this week. The first major release in 19 months was off to a fair start yesterday because of the confusion (in public minds) about whether it would or wouldn’t release in the national multiplex chains. But collections shot through the roof as the day progressed and as word about the film’s immense merits spread. Although the total for the day is still not known, it is definitely in the region of Rs. 27 crore, which is a mind-boggling figure, given that several states have still not permitted cinemas to function at full capacity, and there’s still the fear of COVID-19 in people’s minds.

Bekhudi proved to be a disaster in the first week.

Dilphire could not do anything worthwhile in 1st week.

Veer Gomtesha faced rejection in the first week.

Alipta (Marathi) did not win the audience’s appreciation in its first week.

Honsla Rakh (Punjabi) added Rs. 1.60 crore to its kitty in the third weekend. It netted Rs. 0.37 crore on Friday, Rs. 0.58 crore on Saturday, and Rs. 0.65 crore on Sunday. Collections during the weekdays were as follows: Monday – Rs. 0.27 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 0.22 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 0.19 crore, Thursday – Rs. 0.12 crore. In this way, the total for the weekdays was Rs. 0.80 crore. Third week’s total: Rs. 2.40 crore. Grand total for 3 weeks: Rs. 19.75 crore.

The initial of JUGJUGG JEEYO yesterday (June 24) sent shock waves in the trade. For a film produced by Karan Johar and starring two heroes and two leading ladies, the opening was rather dull. Of course, collections picked up as the day progressed but the morning and noon shows were pathetic at many places. The first day closed at around Rs. 8.50 crore.

Nikamma bombed all over India in the first week. Its collections were miserable throughout the week.

Ittu Si Baat collections were so miserable in the first week that it is best forgotten. It’s a pity that its hit music went unnoticed.

Janhit Mein Jaari performed terribly in its second week too. The second weekend’s first day (Friday) closed at just Rs. 11 lakh. Collections on Saturday and Sunday were hardly any better with totals of Rs. 19 lakh and Rs. 21 lakh respectively. After a second weekend total of Rs. 51 lakh, collections for the weekdays were: Monday – Rs. 8 lakh, Tuesday – Rs. 7 lakh, Wednesday – Rs. 7 lakh, Thursday – Rs. 6 lakh. Hence the total for the weekdays was a paltry Rs. 28 lakh. In this way, the second week’s total was a poor Rs. 79 lakh. Grand total for 2 weeks: Rs. 4.17 crore.

Jurassic World: Dominion (dubbed and original English versions) did well in the second weekend. It started the weekend with a take of Rs. 1.87 crore on Friday. Collections increased to Rs. 3.80 crore on Saturday, and further to Rs. 4.66 crore on Sunday. In this way, the second weekend closed at Rs. 10.33 crore. Collections for the weekdays were: Monday – Rs. 1.20 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 1.20 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 0.99 crore, Thursday – Rs. 0.95 crore. Therefore, the total for the weekdays was Rs. 4.34 crore. 2nd week’s total: Rs. 14.67 crore. Grand total for 2 weeks: Rs. 62.67 crore.

Samrat Prithviraj collected Rs. 3.91 crore in its 3rd week. Grand total for 3 weeks: Rs. 69.91 crore.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 netted Rs. 5.68 crore in its fifth weekend (Friday – Rs. 1.15 crore, Saturday – Rs. 2.02 crore, Sunday – Rs. 2.51 crore). Collections for the weekdays were as follows: Monday – Rs. 0.76 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 0.66 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 0.57 crore, Thursday – Rs. 0.51 crore. Therefore, the total for the weekdays was Rs. 2.50 crore. Total for 5th week: Rs. 8.18 crore. Grand total for 5 weeks: Rs. 184.52 crore.

Medium Spicy (Marathi) could not do even average business in 1st week in Maharashtra.

Aathava Rang Premacha (Marathi) was a non-starter in the first week in Maharashtra.

Bhirkit (Marathi) fared poorly in 1st week all over Maharashtra.

Yere Yere Pausa (Marathi) could not do anything substantive in the first week in Maharashtra.

Sarsenapati Hambirrao (Marathi) managed fairly decent collections in Maharashtra in its 4th week too.

Naadi Dosh (Gujarati) did extraordinary in the first week all over Gujarat. It was off to a flying start with a take of Rs. 0.60 crore on the first day. Collections jumped more than 50% on the second day which, therefore, closed at Rs. 0.96 crore. The total for Sunday was a phenomenal Rs. 1.46 crore. After a weekend total of Rs. 3.02 crore, collections for the weekdays were also brilliant: Monday – Rs. 0.58 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 0.62 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 0.58 crore, Thursday – Rs. 0.53 crore. In this way, the total for the weekdays was a fantastic Rs. 2.31 crore. Total for 1st week: Rs. 5.33 crore! Its second week has also started excellently.

83 (Hindi and all dubbed versions) did well in the first week, mainly in the city-based properties of the national multiplex chains and some other stand-alone multiplexes. Its performance in single-screen cinemas and non-metropolitan cities and towns, generally speaking, was not up to the mark due to limited youth patronage. Of course, it was also badly hit by new COVID-19 restrictions imposed by various state governments from its first/second day. While many people in the over-40 age group have loved the film, those in the 15-35 age group haven’t liked it enough to inspire their active involvement. It netted only Rs. 12.64 crore on the first day. Although collections increased on Saturday, the jump was way less than expected, considering that it was a Christmas holiday. The second day closed at Rs. 16.95 crore. Collections on Sunday totalled Rs. 17.41 crore, taking the first weekend’s total Rs. 47 crore. Collections during the weekdays were only fair, badly affected in Delhi-U.P. due to cinema closure in Delhi from Wednesday. Monday – Rs. 7.29 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 6.70 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 5.67 crore, Thursday – Rs. 5.21 crore. The total for the weekdays, therefore, was Rs. 24.87 crore. In this way, the first week closed at Rs. 71.87 crore.

The Matrix Resurrections (dubbed and English) did not make any mark at the box-office in 1st week.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (original English and Hindi, Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions) continued to score in the second week. It was phenomenal in the second weekend and did well in the weekdays too. It netted Rs. 6.75 crore on the first day of the second weekend. Collections jumped by 50% on Saturday (Christmas holiday) so that the day closed at Rs. 10.10 crore. The total on Sunday was Rs. 10 crore. In this way, the second weekend closed at Rs. 26.85 crore. Collections during the weekdays were: Monday – Rs. 4.45 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 3.65 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 3.40 crore, Thursday – Rs. 3.25 crore. The total for the weekdays, therefore, was Rs. 14.75 crore. In other words, the total for the second week was Rs. 41.60 crore. Grand total for 2 weeks (15 days): Rs. 189.67 crore. The film will cross the Rs. 200-crore mark in the third week!

Pushpa: The Rise Part 1 (dubbed), for its price, is a super-duper hit in spite of COVID-19 restrictions and closure of Delhi cinemas from December 29. The second weekend started on a fantastic note with a total of Rs. 2.42 crore on Friday. Collections on Saturday jumped by almost 45%, to Rs. 3.47 crore. With a further jump on Sunday, the day closed at Rs. 4.21 crore. In this way, the second weekend’s total was Rs. 10.10 crore. Pertinent to note that the first weekend had closed at Rs. 13.31 crore. Collections for the weekdays: Monday – Rs. 2.61 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 2.47 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 2.32 crore, Thursday – Rs. 2.29 crore. The total for the weekdays, therefore, was Rs. 9.69 crore. 2nd week’s total: Rs. 19.79 crore. Grand total for 2 weeks: Rs. 47.88 crore! The film will cross the Rs. 50-crore mark in the third weekend itself!!

This week’s CIRKUS took a disastrous initial. The comedy reportedly netted just Rs. 6.50 crore on the first day. The film has turned out to be a major debacle.

Avatar: The Way Of Water (dubbed and original English versions) has done tremendously well in the first week. Collections in the national multiplex chains were far better than in stand-alone multiplexes and single-screen cinemas. The 3D version performed better than the 2D version. All the versions put together netted Rs. 40 crore on the first day. Collections remained at the same level on Saturday (Rs. 40 crore) but jumped 17.5% on Sunday which, therefore, closed at Rs. 47 crore. After a weekend of Rs. 127 crore, collections during the weekdays were also very good: Monday – Rs. 16.50 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 14.50 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 12.75 crore, Thursday – Rs. 12.15 crore. With the total for the weekdays being Rs. 55.90 crore, the first week closed at an extraordinary Rs. 182.90 crore.

Ajay Wardhan fared poorly in 1st week all over.

Trahimam could not remain afloat in 1st week anywhere in India.

Drishyam 2 continued to score in its fifth week in spite of new oppositions. It netted Rs. 1.07 crore on the first day of the fifth weekend. Collections on Saturday and Sunday were Rs. 2.02 crore and Rs. 2.56 crore respectively. After a total of Rs. 5.65 crore in the fifth weekend, collections during the weekdays were as follows: Monday – Rs. 0.88 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 0.84 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 0.83 crore, Thursday – Rs. 0.79 crore. Therefore, the total for the weekdays was Rs. 3.34 crore. Total for 5th week: Rs. 8.99 crore. Grand total for 5 weeks: Rs. 224.68 crore.

Dhondi Champya (Marathi) bombed in the first week itself all over Maharashtra.

Gairee (Marathi) failed to attract the public to the cinemas all over Maharashtra.

Satyameva Jayate 2, which opened this week on Thursday, took a poor start. More shocking than the weak initial on Thursday were the even weaker collections on the second day (Friday). It netted Rs. 3 crore on the first day but ended up at only Rs. 2 crore on the second day, giving an indication that it has been rejected by the audience.

Antim also could not draw the audiences to the cinemas on the first day (Friday) in large numbers. It netted around Rs. 5 crore on day 1, which, considering that it stars Salman Khan, was not an impressive figure. However, collections, which were very low in the earlier (morning) shows, picked up as the first day progressed.

Bunty Aur Babli 2 fared miserably in the first week, especially on the weekdays, after an ordinary weekend. It netted Rs. 2.60 crore on the opening day. Collections on Saturday dropped a little so that the day closed at Rs. 2.50 crore. The increase on Sunday over the already low collections of Friday and Saturday was not at all impressive. With the third day closing at Rs. 3.20 crore, the first weekend’s total was a rather dull Rs. 8.30 crore. However, the total for the four weekdays was, as expected, a low Rs. 2.85 crore. In this way, the first week closed at Rs. 11.15 crore. The film’s lifetime net total will be less than Rs. 15 crore. Overseas, the film grossed an equivalent of Rs. 6.50 crore in the first week. Around 39.5% of the total collections abroad came from the Middle East, approximately 29% from North America, about 9% from the UK and Europe, and about 22.5% from the rest of the world.

Ye Mard Bechara turned out to be a debacle in the first week.

Shubh Raatri met with a disastrous fate in 1st week.

Sooryavanshi added Rs. 18.68 crore to its kitty in the third week, thereby taking its 3-week total to almost Rs. 185 crore. It collected Rs. 3.26 crore on the first day of the third week. Collections on Saturday totalled Rs. 3.77 crore, and on Sunday, Rs. 5.33 crore. Therefore, the third weekend closed at Rs. 12.36 crore. Collections for the weekdays were as follows: Monday – Rs. 1.88 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 1.70 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 1.56 crore, Thursday – Rs. 1.18 crore. In this way, the total for the weekdays was Rs. 6.32 crore. The third week’s total was, therefore, Rs. 18.68 crore. Grand total for 3 weeks: 184.91 crore. Overseas, the film grossed an equivalent of Rs. 6.14 crore in the third week. Its total Overseas gross for 3 weeks: Rs. 59.70 crore.

Jhimma (Marathi) has done very well in the first week all over Maharashtra.

Ajinkya (Marathi) could not find favour with the audience in 1st week.

The week that started on Thursday (August 11) is probably the best week of this year. With Raksha Bandhan festival on Thursday, Independence Day on Monday (August 15), Parsi New Year on Tuesday (August 16) and Janmashtami on Thursday next (August 18), the 8-day week has four extra holidays viz. one festival holiday (August 11), one national holiday (August 15) and two partial holidays (August 16 and 18), besides the weekend (August 13 and 14). In spite of so many holidays in a single week, the initials of the two new films — LAAL SINGH CHADDHA and RAKSHA BANDHAN — released on August 11, and the public reports of both the films suggest that the best week of the year from the box-office point of view might actually turn out to be the worst for the box-office.

Laal Singh Chaddha did not open well on Thursday (August 11). The opening (morning) shows weren’t too exciting but that was understandable as Raksha Bandhan festivities were on in full swing in Hindu households. However, collections did not show the jump that was required, even in the afternoon, evening and night shows. Collections on the second day (Friday, August 12) were also far from encouraging. Of course, collections do drop a day after a festive holiday like Raksha Bandhan but when the start itself is low (Rs. 11.50 crore on the first day), a drop of around 35% on the second day is alarming and indicative that the film has not been liked by the majority. Although figures for Saturday are awaited, it looks like Rs. 7.50 crore only. Clearly, a film for the classes and big cities only, and, therefore, a washout.

Raksha Bandhan did not get the advantage of the Raksha Bandhan festival on Thursday (August 11), its opening day. It netted only Rs. 8.20 crore after a fairly poor start. Of course, collections picked up as the day progressed and after festivities were over in Hindu households, but the jump was not what it would have been if the film had found universal acceptance. Collections, as expected after a festival holiday, dropped on the second day (Friday, August 12), but the 25% drop after the bad start on Thursday did not augur well for the film. The Friday figure seems to be in the region of Rs. 6.25 crore only. Clearly, the appreciation for the film has come mainly from ‘B’ and ‘C’ class centres. Looking to the contribution of the smaller centres to the total earnings of a film, it can be predicted that in the final tally, the film’s theatrical earnings will be far from satisfactory.

Haryana proved disastrous in the first week all over.

Masoom Sawaal was a non-starter all over in 1st week.

Miami Se New York worked nowhere in the first week.

Match Of Life proved to be a debacle in the first week.

Naar Ka Sur fared miserably in 1st week all over.

Ramarao On Duty (dubbed) failed to generate even average collections in the first week. It was a debacle.

Bullet Train (dubbed and the original English versions) met with a poor fate in the first week all over.

DC League Of Super-Pets (animation; dubbed and the original English versions) did very average business in the first week.

Ek Villain Returns did not do much in the second week in spite of no major opposition. It collected Rs. 6 crore during the second weekend, and another Rs. 2.40 crore during the weekdays. With a second week total of Rs. 8.40 crore, the total for 2 weeks was a lukewarm Rs. 40.20 crore.

Thor: Love And Thunder (dubbed and the original English versions) did ordinary in its fifth week but crossed the Rs. 100-crore mark. It added Rs. 0.44 crore to its kitty in the weekend, and another Rs. 0.22 crore during the weekdays. Total for 5th week: Rs. 0.66 crore to its kitty in 5th week. Grand total for 5 weeks: Rs. 100.10 crore.

De Dhakka 2 (Marathi) fared well in the first week all over Maharashtra.

Ekda Kay Zala! (Marathi) could not do anything substantial in 1st week all over Maharashtra.

Timepass 3 (Marathi) continued to do well in the second week too all over Maharashtra.

The dull opening of VIKRAM VEDHA yesterday (Sept. 30) sent shock waves in the trade. With a star cast like Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan and with a trailer which was talked about, it was expected to open at around Rs. 20 crore. But that was not to be. Friday seems to have closed at Rs. 9.50 crore only.

Chup met with a disastrous fate in the first week all over. It netted Rs. 2.75 crore on the first day, reaping the advantage of the National Cinema Day when admission rates in over 4,000 cinemas across India were reduced. Collections on Saturday dropped because the word of mouth was negative. After a net total of Rs. 1.75 crore on Saturday, collections on Sunday went up but not to the Friday level. With Sunday closing at Rs. 2.50 crore, the weekend total was Rs. 7 crore. Collections for the weekdays were as follows: Monday – Rs. 0.90 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 0.70 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 0.55 crore, Thursday – 0.35 crore. In this way, the first week closed at Rs. 9.50 crore.

Dhokha Round D Corner proved to be a debacle in 1st week all over. It netted barely Rs. 2.25 crore in the first week.

Prem Geet 3 (dubbed) was a non-starter. It fared miserably in the first week all over.

Ishq Pashmina bombed terribly in the first week all over.

Vanshree could do nothing to talk about in its first week.

Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva got a huge advantage on the first day of the third weekend as the day (Sept. 23) was celebrated as the National Cinema Day when ticket prices in more than 4,000 cinemas were brought down to Rs. 75. It netted Rs. 8.65 crore on the first day of the third week. Collections on Saturday were Rs. 5.70 crore, and on Sunday, Rs. 6.45 crore. In this way, the third weekend closed at Rs. 20.80 crore. Collections on the weekdays were: Monday – Rs. 1.93 crore, Tuesday – Rs. 1.91 crore, Wednesday – Rs. 1.51 crore, Thursday – Rs. 1.40 crore. Hence the total for the weekdays was Rs. 6.75 crore. Total for 3rd week: Rs. 27.55 crore. Grand total for 3 weeks: Rs. 241.55 crore. Of this, the dubbed versions have jointly netted Rs. 23.05 crore.

Neighbours (Marathi) recorded absolutely poor collections in 1st week all over Maharashtra.

Raada (Marathi) fared badly in the first week all over Maharashtra.

Boyz 3 (Marathi) did quite well in its 2nd week in Maharashtra.

The trade prayed hard for a film to open well at the box-office and break the bad spell of Bollywood. Exhibitors were at their wits’ end, clueless about how long they would be able to continue with the flopping fares. And when, finally, a film — BRAHMASTRA: PART ONE – SHIVA — did open to bumper houses yesterday (September 9), many in the trade lost no time in badmouthing it and predicting its doom. Amidst all the negativity, the costliest Hindi film emerged victorious by netting around Rs. 35 crore (Hindi plus dubbed South versions) on day 1. Public reports were far better than the tainted trade reports. Almost every reviewer ran down the film but the public seems to have given it a big thumbs up.

Token The Treasure turned out to be a disaster in the first week all over.

Sita Ramam (dubbed) managed just about average collections in spite of excellent reports. Lack of promotion of the dubbed version of the hit Telugu film and, therefore, awareness about its release and even its existence came in the way of the film realising its true potential.

Liger crashed further in 2nd week all over. After a total of Rs. 18 crore in the first week, it managed barely Rs. 2 crore in 2nd week. Grand total for 2 weeks: Rs. 20 crore.

Karthikeya 2 (dubbed) did ordinary business in its fourth week. It netted Rs. 2.27 crore in the fourth weekend, and another Rs. 1.29 crore during the weekdays. Total for 4th week: Rs. 3.56 crore. Grand total for 4 weeks: Rs. 29.79 crore.

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, in the absence of strong or even average content, had to rely on the Eid festival to draw the audience to the cinemas. The Eid holiday on Saturday (April 22) and two days thereafter saw footfalls in cinemas in reasonably large numbers but they dwindled thereafter. The Salman starrer opened at Rs. 11.50 crore on Friday. Collections did not grow phenomenally to the 40- or even 30-crore bracket on Saturday but, nevertheless, picked up due to Eid. The second day closed at Rs. 22.50 crore. Collections on Sunday were slightly lower at Rs. 21.50 crore, conclusively proving that the public verdict for the film was not encouraging. The Basi Eid festivities saw Monday’s collections at Rs. 8.10 crore after a weekend total of Rs. 55.50 crore. Collections on the balance three days of the week were Rs. 5.75 crore on Tuesday, Rs. 4.25 crore on Wednesday, and Rs. 3.50 crore on Thursday. The total for the weekdays (including a festive Monday) was, therefore, Rs. 21.60 crore. Hence the first week closed at only Rs. 77.10 crore.

Chengiz (dubbed) proved a debacle in 1st week.

The Pope’s Exorcist (dubbed and the original English versions) collected Rs. 0.95 crore in the third weekend, and another Rs. 0.39 crore during the weekdays. In this way, the total for 3rd week was Rs. 1.34 crore. Grand total for 3 weeks: Rs. 12.79 crore.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (animation, dubbed and the original English versions) netted Rs. 1.31 crore in its third weekend, and another Rs. 0.53 crore during the weekdays. Therefore, the total for the third week was Rs. 1.84 crore. Grand total for 3 weeks: Rs. 10.33 crore.

Bholaa netted Rs. 1.20 crore in its fourth weekend, and Rs. 0.56 crore during the weekdays. In other words, it collected Rs. 1.76 crore in 4th week. Grand total for 4 weeks: Rs. 78.86 crore.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (dubbed and the original English versions) collected Rs. 0.57 crore in its fifth weekend. The total for the weekdays of 5th week was Rs. 0.34 crore. Therefore, it netted Rs. 0.91 crore in 5th week. Grand total for 5 weeks: Rs. 48.53 crore.