KANK is raking in the money

Karan Johar has once again hit the bull's eye. His latest film, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, is doing phenomenonal business at the box office.

KANK, with a multi-star cast, has seen a record opening at many places in the country, and the film is expected to make Rs 60 crore (Rs 600 million) in the first week itself.

It opened to full houses in Mumbai and New Delhi and also saw record openings in places like Nagpur, Jabalpur, Indore and Bhopal.

"The net profit for the film, including overseas, is expected to be Rs 25 crore (Rs 250 million) for the first week only," said Komal Nahta, editor of Film Information, a weekly trade magazine.

Nahta also said KANK would break all records of Indian films abroad.

KANK is Karan's third directorial venture after Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

The 34-year-old director had taken a backseat since 2001 and moved away from direction to concentrate on his two productions, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Kaal.

So, what went right for KANK?

Analysts say the most important factor was the strong star cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta.

Besides, people were curious whether Karan would be able to carry off a bold subject like infidelity.

The film was marketed very well and nearly 900 prints were released. In some multiplexes, 14 shows were held in a one day.

This seems to be a new trend as all the big films like Krrish, Fanaa and Rang De Basanti have been releasing more than 600 prints each.

"KANK will easily collect Rs 2 crore (Rs 20 million) in a week's time in all the 12 centres of Adlabs theatres," said Tushar Dhingra, chief operating officer, Fame Adlabs.

Asked whether KANK was doing well in smaller centres, Dhingra replied, "Yes. In places like Meerut too, KANK got 91 per cent occupancy. The extended weekend because of Independence Day is seeing house full boards at many places."