MUMBAI: The Ranbir Kapoor – Priyanka Chopra starrer Anjaana Anjaani has opened well at the box office with almost 95 – 100 per cent occupancy in most centers like Mumbai, Pune, Baroda, Hyderabad, Kolkatta, Vizag and Jaipur.
The movie saw net collections of approximately Rs 75 – 80 million (Rs 7.50 – 8 crore) on its opening day across India.
On the other hand, Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s much hyped film Robot (Hindi dubbed) has failed to draw audience to theaters. However the Tamil version Endhiran has opened to packed houses in Tamil Nadu and is all set to break records. Fox Star Studios’ Khichdi – The Movie too has had an average opening with around 30 – 35 per cent occupancy. Another small budget Hindi comedy – Benny Aur Babloo – saw a poor opening at the box office.
Anjaana Anjaani, directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, is a romantic comedy and has been appreciated by the younger crowds. While hopes were riding high on Robot, which is also supposed to be one of the most expensive Indian films, it has failed to live up to the expectations. However multiplexes are hopeful that the film will pick up over the weekend.
Speaking to Businessofcinema.com, Inox Leisure associate vice president Rajender Singh Jyala said, “Anajana Anjaani has opened very well, with most of our properties opening to full houses. The weekend too looks very good. Robot had an average opening, it did not open as well as expected but the Tamil version Endhiran has opened really well. Khichidi has had an average opening too.”
Fun Cinemas senior vice president Deepak Saluja added, “All three films have had an average opening with around 30 – 35 per cent occupancy. This could be because people were still very reluctant to venture to the theaters because of the Ayodhya verdict. The weekend looks good and we are expecting both Anjana Anjaani and Robot to go up to 75 per cent. Khichidi has done average business.”
