This week's release 99 was the first film to defy the producers' forum's directive of not releasing any new film till the revenue-sharing issue was resolved.
Kunal Khemu-Soha Ali-starrer couldn't capitalise on the lack of new Bollywood releases around. Meanwhile, regional films continued to do better business.
BO Collections
Director duo Krishna DK and Raj Nidimoru's 99 opened across India with overall occupancy of 10-15 per cent. On the weekend, it rose to 40-45 per cent in the metros. But occupancy fell drastically on Monday.
In comparison, regional films have been doing well. Santosh Manjrekar's Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy's collections have crossed over Rs 9 crore in just its sixth week, making it the highest grosser in Marathi cinema history.
Another recently released Marathi film, a Zee Talkies production, Gallit Gondhal Dillit Mujra too is doing good business across the state. It has grossed over Rs 2 crore in two weeks.
Jimmy Shergill delivered his second back-to-back super hit in Punjabi with Munde UK De, following Tera Mera Ki Rishta. The film is doing exceptionally well in Punjab. Overseas collections have grossed $ 1,85,000 in the US, £65,000 in the UK, and $65,000 in Australia.
Trade Talk
Claims veteran trade analyst Amar Solanki, "99 is a good entertainer which keeps you in splits. It's unfortunate that the film has opened so low. The main reasons can be the lack of star value, and the IPL matches. So, even if the film smartly uses cricket as its backdrop, the real IPL games are proving more exciting than the film."
J Popat, veteran trade expert, says, "From Friday to Sunday, it was the IPL and the Lok Sabha election results that kept the audience glued to the small screen. The cast of 99 has put up a good performance and the word of mouth has been good too, but not sufficient enough to get more patrons to the cinema halls."
Manoj Desai of G-7 multiplex says, "The timing backfired for the makers. They should have waited for the IPL to get over. Last year's Jannat, released around the same time, also had the cricket betting scandal as an intrinsic part of its story – but it had great music and Emraan Hashmi. Next weekend are the semifinals and final of the IPL. The path ahead looks rocky for 99. Also, it's holiday season and most people have gone for vacations."
Munde UK De producer Kamal Mukut tells us, "Content is the king today, and if it's good, then good viewers will follow."
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