'London Dreams', 'Aladin' don't cast spell over box office

Nov 3, 2009 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 3 (IANS) The Ajay Devgn-Salman Khan starrer "London Dreams" and Amitabh Bachchan starrer "Aladin" have failed to send the cash registers ringing in the first week of their release.

Despite being big budget outings, both movies have failed to bring in footfalls. This is the third week in succession post Diwali that saw the release of disappointing content after movies like "Blue", "All The Best - Fun Begins" and "Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna".

"'London Dreams' and 'Aladin' both have been losers in terms of recovering production costs. They don't seem to be recovering even half of the costs. It is again a bad phase for Bollywood - this time post-Diwali, as no movie is able to perform on merit," Joginder Mahajan, a Delhi-based distributor told IANS.

"Even forthcoming movies 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani' and 'Jail' that release this Friday, are only limited for multiplexes and have not generated any buzz," he added.

Amit Shah, chief manager (programming) of DLF DT cinemas was also of the same opinion.

"'Aladin' has been a disaster both content and collections wise while the maximum response has been for 'London Dreams' though even it has been only average and not as expected. Both movies are over now in terms of business, as they have brought in whatever they could over an extended weekend," said Shah.

"Now, much is expected from 'Ajab Prem Ki...' though 'Jail' will start slow but considering it's a Madhur Bhandarkar film, it just might pick up," he added.

Produced and directed by Vipul Shah, "London Dreams" stars Asin Thottumkal as the female lead. Rannvijay Singh and Om Puri too feature in pivotal roles about the story of friendship with a musical background.

On the other hand, "Aladin", a contemporary take on the classic fairy tale has been directed by Sujoy Ghosh and produced by Sunil Lulla and Ghosh himself.

It stars Riteish Deshmukh in the lead opposite debutante Jacqueline Fernandez. Amitabh Bachchan stars as a genie in the movie while Sanjay Dutt essays a negative role.

"'Aladin' is a flop film and 'London Dreams' has done just average business... We are hoping 'Ajab Prem...' should open well, as it is a family oriented comedy while 'Jail' has its own audience," said a source from PVR cinemas.

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London Dreams