MUMBAI: Hindi films that were released this past weekend have been a damp squib at the box office. While Hello Darling and Aashayein have not managed to make a mark at the box office, other new films that were released namely Life Express, Madholal Keep Walking and Antardwand too have not done much to set the box office bells ringing.

Hello Darling and Aashayein had very weak openings with around 10 – 15 per cent occupancy.

Hello Darling directed by debutante Manoj Tiwari and produced by Ashok Ghai is a film about sexual harassment and stars Celina Jaitley, Eesha Koppikhar, Gul Panang, Jaaved Jaaferi, Sunny Deol, Chunky Pandey and Divya Dutta among others. The film has failed to attract the audience in its opening weekend.

On the other hand Aashayein, which is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and stars John Abraham had some hope riding on it. Ironically, Aashayein which means hope, has absolutely no hope at the box office!

Speaking to Businessofcinema.com, Fun Cinemas senior vice president Deepak Saluja said, “Aashayein had a below average opening with around 10 – 15 per cent occupancy. Hello Darling was a little better with around 15 – 20 per cent occupancy.”

PVR Cinemas programming head Prakhar Joshi added, “Both the films have not opened well at the box office. The occupancy was just around 15 per cent. Over the weekend, the films have not managed to pick up at the box office.”