Karisma Kapoor’s 3D thriller Dangerous Ishhq did not live up to expectations and the film has already hit a rocky patch on its opening day. On the other hand, Yash Raj Films’ Ishaqzaade has received a mixed response and took a below-average opening. This disappointing performance in some territories is due in part to the Indian Premiere League (IPL) matches, which are a rage among the audience.
Worse still, offering stiff competition is the Hollywood film The Avengers 3D, which even in its third week continues to hold strong at the ticket counter and is being preferred over the new releases.
Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines says, “In Mumbai, Dangerous Ishhq took an opening of merely 10 per cent. There was no hype over the film as it was not promoted enough to arouse audience interest. The much-awaited Karisma Kapoor film fizzled out in no time.” He says Ishaqzaade took an opening of 35-40 per cent and is not that people could rave about. “Its performance might improve by evening.”
Ishaqzaade has received good reports in Delhi, where G D Mehta of Bobby Arts International remarks, “Ishaqzaade took a very good opening and Arjun Kapoor’s work is being highly appreciated here. The theme of the film has gone down well with the Delhi-UP audience. Dangerous Ishhq, on the other hand, opened to below-average figures. The IPL is still quite keeping the audience hooked here in Delhi, especially the excellent performance delivered by the Delhi team and movie-goers are distracted by cricket.”
The audience in Punjab is all praise for the recently released Punjabi film Taur Mitran Di. Surendra Saluja of Lakshya Movies says, “Taur Mitran Di has stolen the show and has emerged a winner over the Hindi releases this week. Ishaqzaade and Dangerous Ishhq have taken poor openings of 20 per cent and 5 per cent respectively. The Avengers is still doing well in its third week despite the few shows it has been assigned.”
Jeetu Khandelwal of Movie Pioneers in Orissa adds, “Both new releases films took an opening of 30-40 per cent. Ishaqzaade and Dangerous Ishhq were screened across 12 screens and 32 screens, respectively. But since Ishaqzaade’s unique plot and music will attract the youth and the film will improve with subsequent shows.”
‘Lukewarm’, says Debashish Dey of Aum Moviez in Kolkata, of both the Hindi releases. “Ishaqzaade took an opening of 25 per cent, whereas, Dangerous Ishhq opened to 15 per cent. Curiosity levels for the former is quite high but not for the cast. Since Dangerous Ishq has released in 3D, people might watch it simply for this effect. Otherwise, it has not created any hype.”
Dey adds that The Avengers is still going strong and will enjoy a decent position this week too as the new releases have not captured the audience.
