99 draws average footfall, but producers confident

99 draws average footfall, but producers confident
Monday, May 18, 2009 12:21 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
The latest offering from Bollywood - "99" - did not open to packed houses in multiplexes on the first day of its release but the film's producers are sure business will pick up over the weekend.

According to multiplex chains Satyam Cineplex and M2K, the film has not garnered major bookings in the capital.

"The movie is doing average business, it's not very good. I think the information that a movie has finally been released amidst the producer-multiplex strike, has not been spread very well. So there is not much rush and there is no excitement for the film as well, " a representative from Satyam Cineplex, told.

"I think if the Indian Premier League (IPL) was not being held, it might have pulled in crowds, but as of now the business is a little cold, " added the representative.

A source from M2K said: "'99' has not been able to draw a lot of audience. People aren't coming and bookings are also not a lot in number. We don't see the film registering a houseful."

Directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K., "99" is a comedy inspired by real events in 1999 and 2000 and stars Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu, Boman Irani and Cyrus Broacha in the lead.

Prior to the film's release, experts had said that though the film does not fall in the "big product" range, it would bring footfalls.

Contrary to what multiplexes have observed within the first two days of the film's release, Anupam Mittal, chairman of People Group, one of the producers of the movie, says the opening of the film has been encouraging and they are expecting to multiply their profits over the weekend.

"The opening is very encouraging - close to Rs.1 crore (Rs.10 million) countrywide on the first day itself. It's very good. It's a word-of-mouth movie and it's going to pull up over the weekend. The figures were beyond our expectations and we are expecting close to double over the weekend, " Mittal told over phone from Mumbai.

Talking about the countrywide footfalls of the film, he added: "The footfalls are varying in different parts of the country. For example, in Chennai and Hyderabad it is 100 and 85 percent respectively. While in Mumbai and Delhi, the film has shown momentum except in the single-screens, as we haven't marketed our film to them."

Made at a budget of over Rs.150 million, the film released worldwide with around 500 prints. It was expected to tide over the five-week dry spell at the box office thanks to the ongoing deadlock between producers and multiplexes over revenue sharing ratio.

Though the film has not been able to garner more than three stars from film critics in India, it received rave reviews by the New York Times.

The leading US daily saw the film as "a refreshing sign that commercial Indian cinema has room in its big tent for more than one kind of storytelling".
Varun Dhawan Unveils First Poster of 'Nain Matakka' Featuring Keerthy Suresh!

Varun Dhawan's upcoming film Baby John is already creating waves in the entertainment world. The latest buzz surrounds the highly anticipated track "Nain Matakka," and the excitement reached new heights when Varun shared the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'Agni' Trailer Unveiled: A Tribute to Firefighters' Bravery and Sacrifice!

The much-anticipated trailer for Agni, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, was released on Thursday, offering a gripping look into the world of firefighters, their bravery, and the sacrifices they make to protect

Friday, November 22, 2024
Sara Ali Khan Shares Fun BTS Moments from Ad Shoot, Invites Fans to Let Their Spirits Soar!

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently took to Instagram to share a delightful behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpse from her latest advertisement shoot, revealing her cheerful mood and creative spirit. In a playful and heartwarming post, Sara shared a video

Friday, November 22, 2024
Kartik Aaryan Enjoys Quality Time with 'Sea, Sand, and Sun' at IFFI Goa!

Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, who is currently in Goa for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Filmazaar, took a moment to unwind and connect with nature. The actor shared a series of serene pictures on his Instagram, showcasing

Friday, November 22, 2024
Shehnaaz Gill Starts Shooting for Punjabi Film: A New Journey Begins!

Actress and social media sensation Shehnaaz Gill is all set to embark on a new chapter in her career, as she commences shooting for her upcoming Punjabi film. The actress shared her excitement with her fans on Instagram, marking this milestone

Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT