Pitted against the mega budget, mega starrer Sarkar Raj, Rajeev Khandelwal's small budget debut offering Aamir has not only stood its ground but even done better in some territories.
type=text/javascript> src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ad s.js" type=text/javascript>
Aamir is a pacy thriller that is the contribution of many new comers including Rajeev who is making a career move from the small screen to the big screen.
The movies also boasted of fresh talent in the director, cinematographer among others and producers UTV did not spend much money on the promos, but decided to rely on the power of" word of mouth"
Their tactic seems to have worked. The film opened moderately but after the first week, the collections have picked up in most centers.
In Jaipur, Rajeev's hometown the results were good. "As against the expectation the film did good business. At an average, multi-starrer big-budget movies do 40 percent business so in comparison Aamir's steady 35 per cent at the box-office is really good," said Devendra Singh Chauhan, manager, Era Cinemas
To this, Rajeev quipped, "Before the release it was considered a sure-shot debacle as it was being released parallel to Sarkar Raj. But the warm response the film received makes it a victory of sorts. I have the people of my home town to thanks for this."
Rajeev is riding on the wave of this success. He has pocketed many good offers from Bollywood. UTV itself has roped him in for a new flick to be directed by Firangi John Owen titled 'Peter Gaya Kam Se' which will feature him driving a taxi-bike along the roads of Goa.
He will also star in Tanuja Chandra's next movie of a story set in a small town in the 1970's and 1980's, penned by her talented mother Kamna.
However, in the face of increasing offers, Rajeev Khandelwal has become choosy, selecting only substantial roles and rightfully so, with his acting talent having been established with Aamir.
Anupamaa
7