22 May,2012 09:38 AM IST | | Hiren Kotwani
RGV's rogue methodology didn't impress cinegoers but animated film Chhota Bheem turned out to be the surprise package with about 65 per cent occupancy in the theatres.
Pegging the loss of Department, which netted about Rs 7 crore India net, at minimum Rs 25 crore, veteran trade analyst Amod Mehra attributes it to the routine content. "The audience didn't seem interested in the police-underworld-politicians story any more.
Besides, the promos couldn't generate the kind of curiosity that Satya and Company aroused," he says, adding that the experimental camerawork has added to the woes. "People couldn't sit through the film. Many walked out due to dizziness attributed to poor camerawork." Fortunately, Arjun Kapoor-Parineeti Chopra's desi Romeo-Juliet registered decent collections in its second weekend too.
As Indore-based distributor Aditya Choksi says, "In Central India, the second weekend net is over Rs 27 lakh. The audience is more curious to see Ishaqzaade than the new release Department." The Habib Faisal directed film has netted over Rs 32 crore across India.
About Chhota Bheem, Prakhar Joshi, programming head of a national multiplex chain explains, "Its popularity as a television character and the holidays have ensured that Chhota Bheem witness reasonably good footfalls.
The new Hollywood release, Lorax, registered about 35 per cent occupancy in 3D screens over the weekend." The older releases like Vicky Donor and The Avengers too did decent numbers.
