It was largely felt that post the success of Yamla Pagla Deewana and the kind of recall value that the film enjoyed, the sequel would take a good start for itself. Unfortunately though, while one part of the prediction (an average beginning of 50%) was met, the apprehensions [as stated in last week’s column] around ‘comedy to really work’ and ‘gags to be really solid enough’ also (unfortunately) came true. This means that even though Friday started well, the evening and night shows didn’t show the kind of escalation that one expected before the film hit the screens.
As a result, the opening weekend was in the same range as that of Yamla Pagla Deewana i.e. 23 crores*. Now this was over two years back and that too with lesser screen count and ticket price. While one expected weekend to fetch at least 30 crores, if not 35 crores (which were the first week collections of Yamla Pagla Deewana), a lesser number doesn’t augur well. Moreover with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani being rock solid in the second weekend as well, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 would have a challenge during the weekdays too.
With word of mouth being really mixed with feedback ranging from okay to decent, it would be an achievement in itself if this all-Deol affair manages to touch the 50 crore mark in it’s lifetime run.
