Trade pundits say Khan's former girl can take credit for Mere Brother Ki Dulhan's success

The end of Ramadan seems to have marked the beginning of a hit run for Bollywood at the box office.

After Salman Khan's stupendously successful Bodyguard, Yash Raj Films' Mere Brother Ki Dulhan has collected Rs 27 crore in its first three days.

Trade experts attribute this success to the movie's lead heroine Katrina Kaif, who has been on a hit parade (except for Tees Maar Khan which bombed last Christmas) for a while now.

"For a movie that cost the producers about Rs 30 crore, including prints and advertising, Rs 27 crore in the first three days is very good.

And it's thanks to Katrina, who's the soul of the film, " says veteran trade analyst Amod Mehra. He adds that the film's producers will easily make Rs 50 crore.

Sharing a similar view is Manod Desai of Maratha Mandir.

He says, "While MBKD didn't open as expected, it picked up over the weekend to average about 95 per cent occupancy in first three days. Even though Monday morning shows were not as occupied, it won't matter much."

Agrees Prakhar Joshi of PVR Cinemas. He pegs the romcom's collection at his multiplex chain at R 3.15 crore in the first three days.

"Even occupancy of 45 per cent on Monday is decent, never mind if the drop in the Bombay territory is more than Delhi, " he observes.

Bodyguard's success stint continues

Meanwhile, Bodyguard continues to lure in Salman's loyal audiences. Mumbai- based distributor Ramesh Sippy of Raksha Entertainment attributes it to a triple weekend for the film that released on August 31.

"The first day was Eid, so it was like a weekend. And no other star has the festival's advantage as much as Salman. Then Saturday-Sunday, followed by the weekend gone by.

It's already made the numbers for everyone associated with it. Now, it's only adding to the bonus, " he notes.

While Mehra says the craze for Bodyguard is diminishing in metropolitan cities, he's quick to point out that it's holding well in select multiplexes in select centers.

"So far, it has netted about R 115 crore. But I don't think it will cross Dabangg, " he concludes.

Indore-based distributor Aditya Choksey of Akshar Enterprises is optimistic. "Hopefully, by the end of the coming weekend, Bodyguard should cross Dabangg, which is the second biggest hit, " he maintains.