Diwali update 3: 'Don' holds, 'Jaan-e-Man

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Sabeena Khan

@Fashion_2005

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

October 26, 2006 - 10:02 IST

Diwali update 3: 'Don' holds, 'Jaan-e-Mann' steady

With DON taking a head start from Day 1 and JAAN-E-MANN opening with dismal numbers, the opening weekend tilted in DON's favor completely. With a solid Friday and Sunday [Saturday was weak due to Laxmi pooja], the distributors of DON were assured of reaching the safety zone. But JAAN-E-MANN was struggling to breathe due to a poor Friday, disastrous Saturday and fairly good Sunday.

Monday brought good news for JAAN-E-MANN. While DON reaped the maximum benefit of the Diwali holidays, JAAN-E-MANN also showed a gradual rise. However, the business hasn't shown a big jump, but the collections are steady on the lower side. At Indore, for instance, the collections of JAAN-E-MANN on Monday were almost at par with Sunday. Even Tuesday was better than Friday and Saturday, which clearly indicates that the film is catching on slowly.

In Mumbai and Delhi-U.P. too, JAAN-E-MANN showed a steady rise on Monday and Tuesday, mainly at multiplexes. But that still doesn't make it a safe proposition, since it has been sold for an astronomical prices. The collections got a boost on Wednesday [Idd], thanks to Salman's popularity. Again, the much-needed jump was missing!

JAAN-E-MANN picked up dramatically in U.K. If the love triangle grossed a measly 18,000 on Friday, it showed an upswing on Monday [ 40,000] as well as on Tuesday [ 60,000]. Pranab Kapadia, the Business Head of Adlabs [U.K. distributor of JAAN-E-MANN], is confident that the all-round positive reports will help it consolidate its status in days to come.

However, JAAN-E-MANN isn't as strong at comparatively smaller centres of India, while DON continued its smooth ride on Monday [slight drop], Tuesday [good] and Wednesday [steady].

Since a lot of money is riding on these two films, it remains to be seen how they perform in their second weekend. In terms of public feedback, JAAN-E-MANN enjoys better reports, but will it translate into rock-steady collections in its second week? As for DON, with a bountiful first week, one will be curious to watch its b.o. performance in its second week, since the general feedback isn't favorable.

Yet, in all fairness, while DON looks like a safe proposition due to a strong initial [SRK's star power coupled with Diwali and Idd holidays], JAAN-E-MANN will have to come up with magical figures to make its investors smile.

WRONG RELEASE PERIOD?

While everyone has a point of view vis--vis the dull opening of JAAN-E-MANN, a number of people are unanimous that had JAAN-E-MAAN released on Wednesday, 25th October [Idd], not before, the results would've been much, much better. A prominent Bengal distributor told this writer that Salman's popularity with the masses and an Idd release would've ensured a better start for JAAN-E-MANN.

A similar opinion was echoed by Pranab Kapadia of Adlabs, U.K. as well as a well-known Delhi-U.P. exhibitor, when this writer spoke to them.