The second half of the year has started with a bang at the box-office courtesy Dharma Productions’ I Hate Luv Storys directed by Punit Malhotra starring Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor.
The movie that released worldwide on 2nd July (1st July in Gulf and 30th June in US/Canada) has got mixed reviews from critics as well as audiences, striking a chord more among the younger generation.
Nevertheless, despite the brickbats and the bouquets it received, the movie opened to tremendous response on its first day, registering close to 80-90% occupancy in multiplexes. On the other hand, single screens reported occupancy of around 40%.
Talking numbers –
The 5 days pan-India net collections of I Hate Luv Storys totalled upto approximately Rs 287.50 million (Rs 28.75 crore).
The movie has done a net business of approximately Rs 230 million (Rs 23 crore) across India in its opening weekend. Commencing with a net collections of Rs 70 million (Rs 7 crores) on Friday, the collections escalated over the weekend, particularly in the metros due to aggressive marketing, Sonam & Imran’s fan base and the need for an out-and-out romantic comedy (something that the industry has not seen in a while). Saturday raked in approximately Rs 75 million (Rs. 7.5 crores) while Sunday collected around Rs 85 million (Rs 8.5 crores).
Owing to ‘Bharat Bandh’ (India strike) on Monday, the theaters had shutters down for most part of the day and resumed the evening shows. Trade analysts believe that if the bandh had not taken place, the movie would have got better reactions. Nonetheless, IHLS remained steady at the box office collecting Rs 27.50 million (Rs 2.75 crore) on Monday. On Tuesday, the movie went on to add an extra Rs 30 million (Rs 3 crores) to its collections.
By the end of the week, I Hate Luv Storys‘ net collections are likely to be in the range of Rs 310 – 320 million (Rs 31 – 32 crore).
OVERSEAS
If the numbers from local markets were a cause for celebrations, IHLS has maintained an even more promising stand in the international theaters collecting around Rs. 6.5 crores in its opening weekend.
In the US, the movie’s weekend box office stood at $462,867 (approx. Rs. 2.16 crores).
In the UK, IHLS released on 54 prints, has grossed around GBP 200,744 (approx. Rs. 1.42 crores) over the weekend.
In UAE, the movie opened on 38 screens. While the collections for Sunday are not yet in, till Saturday the movie collected $468,000 on 34 screens (approx. Rs. 2.19 crores).
In Australia, IHLS opened on 11 screens and grossed Aus. $ 93,346 (approx. Rs. 36.80 lacs) in three days.
Whilst in Pakistan, despite a shut down in main cinemas (six main multiplexes), the movie collected $63,000 (approx. Rs. 29.45 lacs) in its opening weekend.
