MUMBAI: The countdown has begun. Like every year, this Diwali has three big releases lined up.

The releases, Shree Ashtavinayak‘s Blue, Ajay Devgn Ffilms‘ All The Best and Sohail Khan‘s Main Aurr Mrs Khanna, are set to sparkle with viewers thronging theatres to watch their favourite films.

Insiders in the trade feel that the three films would revive and rejuvenate the industry that has been ailing since the last few months except for a couple of good films like Wanted and Wake Up Sid.

Thanks to the festive season and three big films in the fray, there is expectancy of good business all-around.

Brisk bookings have been noticed in cinema halls and multiplexes. Says Cinemax COO Devang Sampat, "The bookings for all the three films are satisfying because they cater to different genres. People who want action will want to see Blue first, while viewers who want to see comedy will opt for All The Best and people who like love stories will opt for Main Aurr Mrs Khanna. I have heard of people who have booked one film after another in simultaneous shows."

Avers Fun Cinemas CEO Vikas Kapoor, "We are booked for the entire weekend and also for Monday when we will see maximum footfalls. Going by its promotions, tickets for Blue was most sought-after, followed by All The Best and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna.

Another clash akin to the one this week will be seen on 30 October when Vipul Shah‘s London Dreams clashes with Eros Entertainment‘s magic film Aladin.

Coming to last week‘s solo release, Acid Factory has made a dent into the pocket of its distributors. The film had a poor opening at the box-office with it doing a business of Rs 15 million on its first day run with as many as 800 prints.

From the previous week‘s releases, Dharma Productions‘ Wake Up Sid collected Rs 160 million in its first-week run while Vashu Bhagnani‘s Do Knot Disturb collected around Rs 145 million.

Meanwhile, the Salman Khan starrer Wanted has done a net business of over
Rs 500 million while Yash Raj

Films‘ Dil Bole Hadippa has garnered approximately Rs 225 million.