It is believed that a web series can never run in the cinemas. However popular, a series, the audience will not pay to watch it as it is perceived by the public to be for ‘free’ consumption. But what about a sequel to an extremely successful web series?
As the latest Assamese film release, Bidurbhai, proves, a sequel to a web series can work wonders in the cinemas. It was in 2021 that Subrata Kakoty (picture below), a young director, made a web series about four friends — Bolin, Trailukya, Nitu and Ujjal — who are struggling with the challenges thrown by the Corona virus lockdown. With a lack of purpose and direction and rattled by their financial problems, they hit upon an idea to make quick money. The series, which was titled Bidurbhai, captures their humorous experiences in their quest to get rich. It became a very popular series.
Three years later, Kakoty has come up with the second part of Bidurbhai but as a feature film this time. Titled Bidurbhai again, the film follows the journey of the same four friends. Having succeeded initially in ensuring that they all have luxurious and lavish lifestyles, they soon have to face the consequences of their morally incorrect get-rich-quick methods. But having tasted success once, the four friends come up with another high-stakes plan with the sole motive of amassing quick wealth again. The rollercoaster ride has made for compelling viewing as the box-office collections are proving.
Released on 19th July, the Assamese film netted Rs. 33 lakh on the first day. It had the advantage of the brand name, Bidurbhai. The bumper opening was followed by a jump in collections on Saturday (Rs. 37 lakh) and a huge jump on Sunday (Rs. 53 lakh). By the first weekend, word had spread that the film was indeed a worthy sequel to the series. Collections on Monday totalled Rs. 43 lakh, which was more than the Friday figure. Bidurbhai netted Rs. 46 lakh on Tuesday, and Rs. 47 lakh on Wednesday, taking the six-day total to an astounding Rs. 2.59 crore. Today (Thursday) is expected to close at Rs. 50 lakh which would effectively mean that the first week’s total would amount to around Rs. 3.09 crore! Usually, Assam is considered to be 1% of a major circuit. In other words, had the film released in Hindi all over India, and had it performed as well all over, the first week would’ve closed at Rs. 309 crore!!
This is not the first time that Subrata Kakoty (picture above) has delivered a hit for the big screen. His debut directorial venture, Sri Raghupati, was a runaway hit. Released in 2023, it turned out to be the biggest blockbuster of Assamese cinema. Bidurbhai is on its way to becoming one of the biggest Assamese hits, if not the biggest!
Laughing all the way to the bank is distributor Goenka Enterprises which had also released Sri Raghupati. Among the other hits and super-hits of Goenka Enterprises are Assamese films Ramdhenu, Mission China, Kanchanjunga, Ratnakaar and Dr. Bezbarua 2.
Bidurbhai will release outside Assam — in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Madras, Bombay, Pune, New Delhi and Goa — this week (on 26th July).