This Akshay Kumar starrer may have garnered over Rs 47 crore from the first two weeks, but the film is far from being a super hit. In fact, experts say that the lifetime distributor margin which decides if the film is a hit or a flop is way below Singh is Kinng, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Race and Ghajini. Agreed, one can’t compare a film like Ghajini that was a monster hit, but then, Akshay has failed to outbeat himself from the record he set in Singh is Kinng.
However, there is a silver lining. Apparently, the margin is slightly higher than Jodhaa Akbar and Dostana. So yes, the film is a semi-hit/hit, but not what Akshay or his fans had expected. Experts predict that the lifetime nett business of the film will be somewhere between Rs 52 crore and Rs 55 crore.
Since not many films did do great business in 2009, KI did infuse some magic at the box office. That it didn’t go on to be a blockbuster is definitely not good news for the beleaguered Hindi film industry, but the fact that it was atleast a decent earner and entertainer, should prompt us to hope for better times ahead.
Will forthcoming films do the trick? They include Imran Khan’s Luck (July 24), Saif-Deepika starrer Love Aaj Kal (July 31), Shahid Kapoor starrer Kaminey (Aug 14) and Govinda’s Life Partner (Aug 14).