MUMBAI: The Sonam Kapoor & Abhay Deol starrer – Aisha, has opened to mixed reports. In the metros Aisha opened to about 65 – 70 per cent occupancy, while the smaller centers saw occupancy of about 35 – 40 per cent.
The movie did a net business of Rs 36.60 million (Rs 3.66 crore) on its opening day (Friday). However, on Saturday Aisha did see an increase of about 25 – 30 per cent in collections.
On the other hand, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (OUATIM) is still going strong with about 60 to 65 per cent occupancy. In week one OUATIM’s net collections stand at Rs 340 million (Rs 34 crore) in India.
On Friday, Aisha picked up during the evening shows with some of the theaters running houseful. The weekend advance booking too is good but a lot more depends on how the film holds on Monday.
Speaking to Businessofcinema.com, PVR Cinemas CEO Kamal Gianchandani said, “Aisha has opened very well. It opened to occupancy at around 60 per cent at most of the plexes on Friday, and towards the night some of the shows were houseful. The advance booking too has been extremely encouraging. Surprisingly, the film opened well in the smaller cities like Jalandar, Udaipur, Chandigarh, Nanded etc. We are planning to first grow the film in the A and B centers and then take it to the C centers. I think the drop between Friday and Monday will not be more than 20 per cent.”
Inox Leisure associate vice president Rajender Singh Jyala added, “Aisha has opened well in the metros, with cities like Hyderabad which saw 100 per cent occupancy, Bangalore opened around 80 – 85 per cent occupancy, while in Kolkatta and Mumbai the occupancy was around 65 per cent. However in the B centers like Nagpur, Raipur, and Indore etc. the film did not open as well as expected. The film should pick up during the weekend since the audience has liked the film.”
BIG Cinema (West and South) COO Ashish Saxena said, “ Aisha has opened well in the metros and the multiplexes. The opening in the bigger cities has been better with 60 – 65 per cent occupancy. The weekend should be good.”
Fun Cinemas COO Vishal Kapur said, “Aisha is a complete chick flick and has been liked by a limited audience but whoever has watched the film has appreciated it. It opened at around 70 per cent occupancy and the weekend should see occupancy levels at anywhere between 80 – 85 per cent. The film will keep doing well with word of mouth publicity.”
(With inputs from HETAL ADESARA)
