By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM
Unstoppable. That's one word that does justice to Govinda and Salman Khan's antics in PARTNER. That's also the word that best describes the film's run at the box-office.
The latest David Dhawan laughathon had a dream start at the ticket window and continues to rock big time as I pen this piece. The thunderous start coupled with the superb feedback from the paying public has only resulted in the film faring exceptionally well across all screens - from multiplexes to single screens, from metros to mini-metros to smaller towns.
It wouldn't be erroneous to state that very rarely does a film work its charm across the spectrum. Sometimes multiplexes work, but single screens don't. And vice-versa. The business is divided most of the times. But PARTNER continues to record excellent collections everywhere. The business at smaller centres got a fillip thanks to AAP KAA SURROOR first and PARTNER now, which is bringing in big returns from these centres as well.
What worked?
* One, the Salman - Govinda - David Dhawan team aroused tremendous curiosity.
* Two, the songs worked big time and like I've always maintained, good music is akin to an icing on the cake.
* Three, the promotion [quality and quantity] was excellent.
* Four, the luck factor.
Those associated with PARTNER needed a Hit. Every top actor needs to prove his power on Friday and Salman is no exception. A man of few words, the accolades and the laugh lines on everyone's faces at Salman's private screening for family-n-friends prior to its release must've prepared him for what was to follow.
Govinda needed a Hit badly. He didn't get the credit for BHAGAM BHAG [although it was a success], while SALAAM-E-ISHQ was a damp squib, even though his work attracted tremendous praise. But every actor also needs an assurance from the box-office point. Yahan, jo Hit hain, woh Fit hain. As for David Dhawan, PARTNER only consolidates and cements his position as the badshaah of masala.
Pop the champagne, David, Salman, Govinda, [producers] Sohail Khan and Parag Sanghvi, Kishore and Sunil Lulla [Eros] and the entire team of PARTNER. Or have you already? THIS WEEK IN 2006 [Weekend: July 21-23, 2006]
Looks can be deceptive! On face-value, the two new releases, YUN HOTA TOH KYA HOTA… WHAT IF? and THE KILLER, appeared interesting proposals. With acclaimed actor Naseeruddin Shah in the director's seat and an ensemble star cast that held appeal for the thinking viewer, YUN HOTA TOH KYA HOTA… WHAT IF? had everything going in its favor to attract footfalls at multiplexes -- its target audience.
On the other hand, the production house, Vishesh Films [Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt], is a brand that's synonymous with qualitative medium- budget films. The company had a string of successes in the recent past, ZEHER, KALYUG and GANGSTER, and expecting THE KILLER to make a killing at the box-office was a foregone conclusion.
But both YUN HOTA TOH KYA HOTA… WHAT IF? and THE KILLER didn't really take the box-office by storm. The movieplexes sported an empty look and the business took a huge dip as compared to the last few weeks. THIS WEEK IN 2005 [Weekend: July 22-24, 2005]
The success of BAGHBAN and WAQT - THE RACE AGAINST TIME reiterated the fact that the more the audiences cry, the more the distributors laugh to the bank. But VIRUDDH proved an exception. VIRUDDH ranked amongst director Mahesh Manjrekar's finest attempts. After a series of not-too-happening films, Manjrekar was back in form this time around, handling the simple story with utmost sensitivity.
At the ticket window, VIRUDDH had a dull start almost everywhere. Its opening ranged from 40%-60% + to as low as 25% at some places. Saturday, Day 2, was better, with the collections showing an upward trend [70% +] and on Sunday, the film reached its zenith [85%-90% +]. With the rise in its box-office collections, everyone expected the film to sustain on Monday. Unfortunately, the business of VIRUDDH came sliding downwards on Monday.
One failed to understand why VIRUDDH didn't catch the fancy of moviegoers. The film had an impressive star cast, was well promoted prior to its release, it gave the impression of being a family film, yet…
http://www.bollywood.com/archives/2007/07/domestic_box_of.ht ml#more
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