While the industry has seen around 30 films releasing in the first three months of the year, the trade feels it has been a rather lean period for filmmakers

Despite some big banner films including Sajid Khan's Himmatwala hitting the marquee, with the Saif Ali Khan starrer Race 2 becoming a saving grace, the others have failed miserably.


Sources from the trade feel that last year saw some pretty impressive figures at the BO. But this year while genres ranging from action-adventure to horror have already been covered, the Bollywood report card is far from good.

Distributor Rajesh Thadani says `There were really high expectations from the first quarter. Though we did have films like Race 2, ABCD, Kai Po Che, Jolly LLB to name a few which did make some moolah, distributors who paid big bucks for these films will lose money.`


Thadani cites the example of Akshay Kumar's Special 26, which was acquired at a very high cost. `I expected Aatma to do well but didn't have big expectations from Inkaar or I, Me Aur Main. Apart from Himmatwala, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola was also a big disaster.`


While making a mention of last year's hits including Agneepath, Kahaani and Paan Singh Tomar, exhibitor Akshaye Rathi says this year till date only Race 2 has managed to rake in R 100 crore.


`Special 26 and ABCD that released on the same day did fairly well because of the strong content and the music respectively. Murder 3, Kai Po Che, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns and Jolly LLB were sleeper hits, which marched slowly but steadily to good numbers. Though what the quarter lacked is a serious money-spinner!` he adds.