Today marks the release of Shirish Kunder’s Joker along with Jalpari – The Desert Mermaid, I Am 24 and From Sydney With Love. The only film that has received an opening worth mentioning is Joker, which features Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha. The Rowdy Rathore jodi is back but they have failed to rekindle the magic they wove last time around.
Joker received a below-average opening of below 20 per cent across India today, and distributors feel there is no scope for improvement over the weekend.
In Mumbai, Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines says, “There was no curiosity among the audience for Joker. The opening is just about 30 per cent all over India. We will have to wait to see if the film sees any progress even though that is unlikely.”
GD Mehta of Bobby Arts International adds, “The opening of the film is not worth mentioning. Both Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi SInha could have had a hat-trick with Joker as their previous two films raked in Rs 100 crore each. But Joker won’t sustain good numbers at the ticket counter.”
Surendra Saluja of Lakshya Movies says, “In East Punjab, there is absolutely no buzz around Joker. The opening of the film here is 25 per cent. I doubt the film will pick up during the day or during the weekend.”
In West Bengal, Sunit Singh of Aum Moviez agrees. “Joker received a lot of negative publicity since Akshay Kumar refused to promote the film. So we cannot expect the film to take a good opening. The opening of the film is 10 to 12 per cent, and even if the numbers pick up over the weekend, they will plummet on Monday.”
Sarang Chandak of Shri Rang Films says, “The reports of the film are very poor in CP and in other places too. The opening too is awful, 5 to 10 per cent. Joker is a dud and will not last at the box office.”
In Orissa, Jeetu Khandelwal of Pioneer Movies concludes, “The film has failed to live up to expectations. I was wondering why UTV, which sold Rowdy Rathore for Rs 47 lakh in our circuit, sold Joker for just Rs 25 lakh. Now I know why. The film lacks content. Its opening in multiplexes is 40 per cent and in single-screens 15 to 20 per cent. And the numbers will definitely fall.”
