Let’s take a look at how positive the trend has been for exhibitors this past week. After some trouble and high doubts if audiences would show up to see these films in theaters, everything seems to be going smoothly now! Over the course of two weeks, there has been an increase in occupancy by leaps and bounds with many locations having houses full signs displayed again. Gubbi Kathaavadii led the way over the past few weeks, but it looks like The Kashmir Files took charge this weekend.
Since Friday was such a big success, Thursday saw even higher numbers and Sunday just made everything so much better – adding about Rs. 15 crores to total earnings already! Occupancy rates are standing strong across most venues as well because additional screens were added; giving out tickets to whoever is wanting them! At Rs. 17 crores presently, Vivek Agnihotri’s latest release surpassed his last film (Tashkent Files) within 2 1/2 days!
As far as Gangubai Kathiawadi is concerned, there are still plenty of audiences finding the film despite some competition from The Kashmir Files and screens being lost to Radhe Shyam. The film brought in Rs. 5.25 crores* more on Sunday which is quite good – with that now totaling at Rs. 117.64 crores*. With this milestone reached, the Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Jayantilal Gada production has surpassed Alia Bhatt starrer Badrinath Ki Dulhania’s lifetime earnings [Rs. 116.60 crore] after only 17 days! This movie is already a complete success story – same can’t be said about Radhe Shyam though, whose Hindi version isn’t performing so well either; earning only Rs. 5 crores* on Sunday, or a total of Rs 14.50 crores* over the weekend altogether (and will most likely suffer even worse losses during weekdays).
*Estimates. Final numbers awaited
Note: All collections as per production and distribution sources