Karan Johar's film gets a record-breaking reception across the country
Karan Johar's film gets a record-breaking reception across the country2012 has finally registered its first bumper opening. After a lull during the first three weeks, Agneepath not only got off on a flying start, but also broke the first day collections record held by Bodyguard (Rs 20.66 crore start).
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Needless to say, the trade is upbeat about debutant director Karan Malhotra's remake of the Mukul S Anand classic.
Komal Nahta, editor of weekly trade magazine Film Information and koimoi.com, pegs the first day India numbers at Rs 23 crore. "Agneepath has broken all previous records," he asserts, attributing the initial to the brand value of producer Karan Johar, lead actor Hrithik Roshan and the original film.
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"Though Amitabh Bachchan's film had flopped back then, it has grown to become a cult movie and consequently is a brand by itself.
And not to forget Sanjay Dutt's menacing Kancha Cheena, Katrina Kaif's Chikni Chameli item song and the Republic Day holiday," he says, expecting the film to net Rs 65 crore till Sunday.
However, the morning and afternoon shows on Friday weren't as full as the first. Amod Mehra, another veteran analyst, attributes it to yesterday being a working day.
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"The evening and night shows will surely register higher occupancy than the earlier shows. Also, the promos looked very exciting. RA.One didn't open so well because its trailers weren't exciting enough," he explains.
The Karan Malhotra directed film, said to cost Rs 75 crore including print and advertising, has already made about Rs 38 crore from satellite rights and another Rs 20 crore from overseas, music and home video rights.
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In the same vein, a senior executive at Cinemax chain of multiplexes exults, "The word of mouth is very strong. Although it has enough references of the original version, the new film also stands on its own feet by itself.
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The people are going crazy over Hrithik, Sanjay and Rishi Kapoor who has never played this kind of character before. And Chikni Chameli is also adding to the package."
Delhi based distributor Sanjay Ghai of Mukta Arts Ltd points out, "While I had not expected it to collect such a huge initial, now I guess the film should be able to make over Rs 70 crore in the first four days till Sunday. Never mind that the shows can't start early mornings due to the cold weather in the North."
Otheru00a0Top OpenersBodyguard: Rs 20.66 crore
RA.One: Rs 14.76 crore
Don 2: Rs 14.61 crore
Dabangg: Rs 14.45 crore
Ready: Rs 13.33 crore
3 Idiots:Rs 13 crore
' Figures: Courtesy boxofficeindia.com
