'Ragini MMS 2' spooked audiences for good

Sunny Leone-starrer "Ragini MMS 2", promoted as a 'horrex' -- a combination of horror and sex, had a good start at the ticket counters and experts are also recommending "Lakshmi" and "Ankhon Dekhi" as a must see.

Critics and viewers have, however, given "Gang Of Ghosts", which released Friday along with the other three, a cold shoulder.

Directed by Bhushan Patel, "Ragini MMS 2" has collected about Rs.16 crore in two days.

"'Ragini MMS 2' has a solid start at the ticket window. Despite India versus Pakistan cricket match making a dent in business, Friday total is impressive. 'Ragini MMS 2' (earned on Friday) Rs.8.43 crore, Saturday Rs.7.50 crore. India business only," tweeted trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

The movie hit the screens March 21, a day when most of the people were glued to their television sets to watch the India-Pakistan match in Bangladesh as part of ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

"'Ragini MMS 2' has sex, horror, comedy and hit music to ensure that it will prove a hit at the box-office," trade analyst Komal Nahta tweeted.

"Gang Of Ghosts", also a horror film with comic elements, neither made the audiences roll with laughter on the floor nor gave them goose bumps.

"'Gang Of Ghosts' was meant to be a laugh-riot. But it hardly makes you laugh. Poor show," Nahta posted on Twitter.

The Satish Kaushik directorial, made on a budget of Rs.15-Rs.16 crore, collected about Rs.1 crore in two days, said Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines.

Quirky drama "Aankhon Dekhi", directed by filmmaker-actor Rajat Kapoor, has been lauded for its content, but its chances of box office success seem to be bleak.

"In two days, it must have collected less than Rs.15 lakh," Thadani told IANS.

Nahta is also not expecting it to hit the bull's eye. He tweeted: "'Ankhon Dekhi' is not commercial but has superb acting, ambience of mid-class family and excellent dialogues."

Actress Neha Dhupia is also batting for the movie.

"Ok all the ones who love good cinema, do yourselves a favour... watch 'Ankhon Dekhi'. Rajat Kapoor's finest!" she posted on Twitter.

Nagesh Kukunoor's "Lakshmi" opened to rave reviews, but commercially it's not so viable. One hopes word of mouth helps the film as celebrities are lauding the movie on child prostitution, inspired by a real life story.

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur says the Monali Thakur-starrer is a "must see".

"Yes. It goes over the top. It's melodramatic. Yes, it will disgust you. But what else is child prostitution supposed to be? Go. Must see 'Lakshmi'," Kapur told his Twitter followers.

Adarsh praised it saying it is "a heart-rending tale that ought to be told", while actor Rannvijay Singha lauded the director and the cast for their efforts and tweeted: "Making 'Lakshmi' wasn't easy! You guys are brave and you deserve lots of success, take a bow."