MUMBAI: While New York and Kambakkth Ishq brought the much needed respite to the Hindi film industry, this week’s three new Hindi film releases Shortkut – The Con Is On, Morning Walk and Sankat City have not managed to bring cheer at the turnstiles.
While on Friday, shows for Shortkut – The Con Is On had an average occupancy of about 40 per cent in Bombay city, western Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat; the average occupancy in the rest of the country was approximately 30 per cent making the film’s opening rather dull. Shortkut – The Con Is On stars Akshaye Khanna, Arshad Warsi and Amrita Rao and has been produced by Anil Kapoor Film Company.
On the other hand, Inox Motion Pictures’ debut production venture Morning Walk starring Anupam Kher, Sharmila Tagore and Divya Dutta amongst others, has also taken a dismal opening at the box office. The third Hindi film release of the week – Moser Baer’s Sankat City too didn’t see audience flocking to the theaters.
Fun Cinemas COO Vishal Kapor says, "The three new movies have taken a very ordinary opening of about 20 – 30 per cent at our properties. Also the fact that there is so much of content has led to one cannibalizing the other."
Additionally, New York, which released two weeks back, has picked up due to word of mouth; whereas Kambakkth Ishq is running to average occupancies of approximately 30 – 40 per cent.
On the other hand, Hollywood movies like Transformers, Ice Age 3 and Hangover have seen audiences flocking to the theatres.
All eyes are now on the remaining three Hindi movies that are scheduled to release this month namely – Jashn (17 July), Luck (24 July) and Love Aaj Kal (31 July).