The day has arrived. Bollywood, which had pretty much got used to seeing successive 100 crore earners last year, is seeing quite a draught this year, what with only ‘Race 2’ managing this feat and that too just about. Oh yes, there has been a massive surprise like a blockbuster ‘Aashiqui 2’ (which incidentally is also the second highest grosser of the year at 75 crores) but when it comes to absolute numbers, there are just three more films that have crossed the 50 crore mark – ‘Special 26’, ‘Shootout at Wadala’ and ‘Kai Po Che!’.
Now ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ is all set to do better than each of these three films as well. However for that the first milestone for the film would be to see the second highest opening of the year at least, if not the highest, something which is pretty much on the cards. Though it could be a stretch for the film to reach the 51 crore opening weekend of ‘Race 2’, the Karan Johar production would comfortably cross the 30 crore odd weekend that ‘Shootout at Wadala’ as well as ‘Himmatwala’ had enjoyed.
Since the film is seeing a massive release for itself, even average footfalls of 60%-70% on the first day would be good enough to register very high numbers. Also, premium multiplexes and single screens can expect an opening on the upwards of 80%. Moreover, since at least a couple of songs are huge chartbusters (Balam Pichkari, Batameez Dil), the Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone romantic tale about find audience at single screens as well as multiplexes.
Rest assured, lifetime total of ‘Wake Up Sid’ (~30 crores), Ayan Mukerji’s debut affair, would be crossed in the opening weekend itself, if not on first two days itself.
Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder
