New Release Dull, Eagerly Waiting For Bodyguard

This week witnessed a dismal slew of releases – four films and all of them small movies that did not boast a huge star cast. Shabri, Chitkabrey: The Shades Of Grey, Stand By and Yeh Dooriyan. None of these films were able to create a buzz at the box office and have drawn a tepid response from the distributors and exhibitors in all territories across the country.

Now hopes are pinned on next week’s release Bodyguard, which is expected to spell big bucks. It not only marks Salman Khan’s hat-rick but is also expected to rake in plenty of moolah for everyone associated with the venture.

Mumbai distributor Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines says, “All four films that released this week are small. I have no comments.”

Delhi distributor Sanjay Ghai of Mukta Arts says none of this week’s releases is “worth watching”. “There were four releases but no openings for them.”

Debashish Dey of Aum Movies remarks, “In Kolkata, all four films opened to 2 to 5 per cent occupancy. The the audience are eagerly awaiting Salman Khan’s Bodyguard. Advance bookings begin on Sunday.”

There were no releases this week in the Punjab territory, where all eyes are, once again, on the upcoming Eid release Bodyguard. But Dharam Pal of Paramount Pictures says, “In Punjab, the buzz around Bodyguard is not as much as expected from a Salman Khan’s movie.”

Just like in the other territories, the scene was dismal in CP too. However, this territory scored the ‘highest’ opening for all the releases – 7 to 10 per cent. Says Sarang Chandak of Shri Rang Films, “Most of the shows were cancelled due to lack of audience. None of them will enjoy a long run at the box office.”Yeh Dooriyan did not release in Orissa, where distributor Jeetu Khandelwal of Movie Pioneers says, “Shabari does not have a good report and its opening was merely 5 per cent.  As of now, the buzz for Bodyguard is excellent.”B H Basha of Bahar Pictures concludes, “In Mysore, the opening of all the films was very poor. The hype for Bodyguard is pretty strong. We are sure it will do very well.”