Shamitabh is the sole notable release of the week and should take a decent opening at the box office. while the promotion hasn’t gone overboard, the kind of brand value that the combination of Amitabh Bachchan and R. Balki carry, courtesy Paa and Cheeni Kum, ensures that this would be yet another quality film in the offering. One thing that has always worked for films coming from the house of Balki and Gauri Shinde (English Vinglish) is originality. In that aspect, even Shamitabh is expected to deliver since it has a novel subject to it. Moreover, with Dhanush and Akhshara Haasan, there is freshness in cast too.
Eros is giving the film an optimal release, which means opening day occupancy of around 40% would ensure that good word of mouth results in decent momentum over the weekend. Since it is a solo release of the week and the only competition at the multiplexes would be Baby (which is still doing strong at premium properties), Shamitabh should bring in cheers at theaters.
There are three more releases this week – Bachpan Ek Dhokha, Hum Tum Dushman Dushman and Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan, each of which would be lucky to even get a decent all-India release. They are non-starters from the word Go.
