Murder 3 takes dull opening

This week, we have Vishesh Bhatt making his debut with Murder 3, a film which features Randeep Hooda, Aditi Rao Hyadri and Sara Loren in the lead. It is also part of the successful franchise that includes Murderand Murder 2. On the other hand, first-time director Vinnil Makran serves up a romantic comedy,Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story (JBKLS), starring Vivek Oberoi and Neha Sharma.

The opening of both films was poor and most distributors believe last week's releases, Special 26and ABCD – AnyBody Can Dance, will be strong contenders this week as well.

In Mumbai, Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines says both releases did not open as hoped in Mumbai and across territories. "JBKLS opened at 15 per cent pan-India whereas Murder 3 opened at 30 per cent, while, in Mumbai, JBKLS opened at 10 per cent and Murder 3 took an opening of 30 per cent only. Expectations from Murder 3 were huge as the film is part of a huge franchise but the report of the film is not good."

In Delhi, GD Mehta of Bobby Arts International adds, "This week, Special 26 and ABCD will do good business as Murder 3 and JBKLS are not carrying good reports. Murder 3 opened well below expectations, at 30 per cent, and JBKLS opened at 10 per cent. I doubt JBKLS will do any better. After all, who wants to watch Vivek Oberoi?"

In East Punjab, Surendra Saluja of Lakshya Movies remarks, "Murder 3 has opened little better thanJBKLS. It took an opening of 40 per cent and the other film opened at 25-30 per cent. Since Murder 3has been allotted more screens than JBKLS, it will do better business. But the reports of both films are poor."

In West Bengal, Debashish Dey of Aum Movies says, "JBKLS opened at 15-20 per cent, which is not surprising as we did not expect anything from this film. On the other hand, Murder 3 opened at 30 per cent but the report is very bad."

In Rajasthan, Gaurav Gaur of O'Real Imagination says JBKLS took a very poor opening at 5 per cent whereas Murder 3 opened better, at 15 per cent. "There is no chance that these movies will do well in the coming days. In all probability, Special 26 andABCD will go strong this week too."

In CP Berar, Sarang Chandak of Shri Rang Films concludes, "JBKLS opened at 10 per cent and Murder 3 at 18-20 per cent. According to the reports, it seems ABCD and Special 26 will have a clear run in the week ahead."