Hit or flop, Govind Menon roots for Mallika

Mumbai, June 22 (IANS) The average response to "Bachke Rehna Re Baba" does not seem to have upset director Govind Menon, who is content that the film has at least had a better opening than the star-studded "Silsiilay".

"I don't deny that the film started off on a very average note, but it picked up over the weekend despite the fact that it has no stars. The response has been any day better than the star-studded 'Silsiilay', which did not even get one-tenth of the opening of 'Bachke Rehna Re Baba'," Menon claimed.

Asked if he was disillusioned because Mallika Sherawat's presence and the pre-release hype had not paid off, Menon said: "On the contrary, it's the other way round. I would say the 60 percent the film managed initially is solely due to Mallika's presence."

Menon shrugged off the poor reviews of the movie. "I don't think poor critical reviews are a limitation to box-office success. Even 'Kyaa Kool Hai Hum' wasn't a critically acclaimed film.

"In a commercial comedy, the elite people may not identify with the film, but there's a section of the audience that definitely wants to see such films."

The director was not irked either by his former producer Vivek Nayak's outburst in the media.

"I am surprised he chose to make the comments when my film was scheduled for release considering that the issue is eight months old. I see no point in raking it up again.

"I had said that poor marketing for 'Kis Kiski Kismat' badly affected its opening and I maintain it. The marketing strategy directly impacts the opening response to a film," Menon said. Click the Movie button below for more info:
Silsiilay