MUMBAI: Films with good content always work. This has been proved by Prakash Jha‘s Raajneeti, Walkwater Media‘s Tere Bin Laden and now Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai, a Balaji Telefilms venture.
The gangster film that depicts the crime scenario in Mumbai during the 70s and 80s has not only got good reviews but has also done good business. The film opened to about 75 to 80 per cent occupancy.
Though Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai took a slow start, the terrific word-of-mouth resulted in an escalation in business from the first day itself and the film went from strength-to-strength on Saturday and Sunday.
"The film has netted Rs 220 million in its first weekend," says Balaji Group CEO Punit Kinra.
The other release, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, got a decent opening with around 40 to 50 per cent occupancy.
Said Fun Cinemas COO Vishal Kapur, "The Ekta Kapoor film opened well and the weekend saw an occupancy of between 80 to 85 per cent, though on Sunday there was a 100 per cent occupancy. The Twilight also did well business with occupancy of around 70 to 75 per cent."
After grossing Rs 230 million in its first weekend, Priyadarshan‘s Khatta Meetha, on the other hand, fell badly from Monday onwards. The Monday to Thursday total was approximately Rs 90 million. Its week one total stands at approximately Rs 320 million.
"Though we have reduced the shows, the film was still doing well having weekend occupancy of about 70 per cent," says Kapur.
Walkwater Films‘ Tere Bin Laden has proved to be a profitable venture for its producers due to its low production cost and good-to-average theatrical returns. "In its limited shows, the film is doing decent business," said Kapur.
