The moment of reckoning is just round the corner. Less than 100 hours remain for the release of Bajrangi Bhaijaan and the calculations have already begun. While it is pretty much a given that the film would be releasing on the highest screen count ever for a Salman Khan starrer (over 5300 just in India), there are many records of his own that the Superstar would be aiming to break.
These are as follows (only for Indian theatrical):
- Biggest Opening Day - Ek Tha Tiger (33 crore)
- Highest First Three Days collections (Kick - 83.85 crore)
- Highest First Week collections (Kick - 164.21 crore)
- Biggest Lifetime Total (232 crore)
Though Ek Tha Tiger had taken a record breaking opening, the film was released on Wednesday and hence the collections dipped on Thursday and Friday, before escalating again over the weekend. On the other hand Kick (which released on Friday) couldn't beat the opening day number of Ek Tha Tiger but saw constant escalation over the weekend, only to register its highest number (28.89 crore) on Eid, which fell on Tuesday. This resulted in an all time high First Week collections for Kick (164.21 crore).
While Ek Tha Tiger had fell agonizingly short of 200 crore mark, Kick continued to fetch good collections after its excellent opening week, and settled down at the 232 crore, hence emerging as the biggest Salman Khan starrer till date.
Now that Bajrangi Bhaijaan is releasing on Friday, 17th July, one waits to see if Opening Day record of Ek Tha Tiger and First Three Days record of Kick would be broken. These would be the first two milestones for the Kabir Khan directed film to cross, before one begins to track Highest First Week and Biggest Lifetime collections.
This is what the Trade experts have to say about the fortunes of this Eros production:
Girish Johar (Distributor and film business analyst):
I feel the opening day record will be touch and go, though the first three days would be record breaker for sure. The look of Bajrangi Bhaijaan is being really appreciated. Also, the trailer and now the songs are quite well received too. The craze is humongous and only escalating further with just hours remaining for the release. The film will be brimming HOT HOT HOT, making it a HIT HIT HIT!!!
Prashant Solanki (General Manager, Cine Park Cinemas Pvt. Ltd.):
Surely, Bajrangi Bhaijaan will break Salman's own opening day record of Ek Tha Tiger as well as the weekend record of Kick. Eid will further give boost to the film, hence ensuring good and steady footfalls on weekdays as well as the weekend ahead.
Ramesh Sippy (Distributor):
With the universal appeal of Salman and the film, the possibility of breaking the record of Kick for the opening week is totally in his favor
Harsh Jain (Distributor and exhibitor):
Yes, why not? The business has grown tremendously since Ek Tha Tiger and I think Bajrangi Bhaijaan will definitely break its record. The craze for the film is outstanding, plus it is coming on Eid. The songs have picked up too. I am sure the film will open to big numbers.
Rajesh Thadani (Distributor):
Although it is tough task, with the popularity that Salman has (which is growing day by day), the promo and songs becoming popular and Eid on its side, Bajrangi Bhaijaan has all the chances of breaking Salman's earlier records.
Akshaye Rathi (Exhibitor and distributor):
When a film featuring Salman Khan or the other two of the Khan trinity is up for release, virtually ANYTHING is possible at the box office! Even though they are all stepping into their 50s, with each passing film they are setting new benchmarks at the box office and giving stars, who are half their age, a run for their money! Such unprecedented star power can not only break records, but also set benchmarks that can be breached only by these three in today's times!
Tum Se Tum Tak
18