'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' running ahead at the box office

This Friday three films clashed at the box office - "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", "Shorts" and "Sixteen" - and distributors say of these Farhan Akhtar-starrer biopic is doing good business at the box office despite getting mixed response from the critics. They predict its weekend collection could reach Rs.30 crore mark.

Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines told IANS: " 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' is going great in multiplexes, but not that great on single screens. On Friday and Saturday, the film has collected approximately Rs.18 crore. Most probably the film should collect around Rs.30 crore by the weekend."

In his bid to familiarise achievers to the moviegoers, director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra went behind the camera to bring the story of grit and determination of former Olympian athlete Milkha Singh, also known as Flying Singh, on the celluloid. His efforts got mixed response from critics.

Some critics praised it, saying the synergy in the story is subliminal and Farhan has got so well under the skin of the Milkha's character that it seems he occupies the champion's mind, body and soul. Others find it too long, and criticised it saying the director has reduced the human saga to a melodramatic and over-wrought tale.

But it seems that critics' ratings have not influenced the viewers judgement.

Sanjay Ghai from Mukta Arts said: "BMB is doing extraordinary business in Delhi. It has collected around Rs.5 crore in two days, which is outstanding."

He added, "Advance booking is on full swing and there are hardly any tickets available for Sunday."

Lyricist Prasoon Joshi scripted the film, which collected an impressive Rs.8.5 crore on its opening day.

Rajasthan-based Sunil Bhansal of Yashraj Jai Pictures Pvt. Ltd., sees a bright prospect for the film and says if footfalls don't dip on Monday, it may join the Rs.100-crore club.

"So far, the collections are going strong and if the film doesn't dip on Monday and goes steadily, then it may be in the Rs.100-crore club."

The performance of the other two films "Shorts" and "Sixteen" is no threat to "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag".

Ghai said, " 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' has completely overshadowed the other two films."

According to Thadani, "Shorts" and "Sixteen" are disasters. "There is hardly any occupancy."