What kind of opening-day figures do you estimate for Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3?
– Rs. 40-45 crore and Rs. 30-32 crore respectively. You may be aware that in half of India, the Laxmi Pooja is now scheduled for 31st October rather than 1st November which is the day of the films’ release. Had 1st November been the day of Laxmi Pooja, the figures would’ve been lower because the Laxmi Pooja rituals keep a section of the audience away from the cinemas. For those who observe Diwali on 31st October, New Year will fall on 2nd November as there is no festival on 1st November. As for those performing the Laxmi Pooja on 1st November, the New Year’s Day will, of course, be on 2nd November. Incidentally, the community of traders in North India still maintains that the traders will perform Laxmi Pooja on 1st November. Call it confusion or two days of Laxmi Pooja, but the fact is that there is lack of clarity.
What, according to you, is the biggest takeaway from the deal for sale of 50% stake in Dharma Productions to Adar Poonawalla?
– For the trade, the biggest takeaway is that a person completely, wholly and absolutely unconnected with the film industry and not even remotely related to it has invested Rs. 1,000 crore in the business.
Will the Dharma-Poonawalla deal be a one-off case or will we now hear of more such deals?
– It is very likely that more such deals may happen in the months and years to come. The entry of Adar Poonawalla in the entertainment business may prompt more industrialists to get into the business.
