'Wanted', '..Hadippa!' bring audiences back to theatres

Sep 18, 2009 IANS

New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) After a month's lull, courtesy the lean Ramzan period, multiplexes were abuzz again Friday with two big starrers "Dil Bole Hadippa!" and "Wanted" drawing people to the theatres and doing good business.

"Both movies have done good business with an average opening of around 60 percent. In fact, 'Wanted' is a must watch for Salman (Khan) fans. The movies will pick up gradually, specially since it's an extended weekend with Eid on Monday," Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave Cinemas, told IANS.

"We have kept a 55-45 ratio for both the movies across all our properties as both have the potential for a smooth shelf life," he added.

A source from PVR Cinemas said: "'Dil Bole Hadippa!' and 'Wanted' both have brought us relief after Ramzan. While the former is good in multiplexes, the latter is very good in single-screens. We've had an approximate 50 percent occupancy till now and we are expecting good business, courtesy the long weekend."

Produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films, "Dil Bole Hadippa!" has been directed by debutant Anurag Singh. It stars Rani Mukerji, Shahid Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Dalip Tahil and item girls Rakhi Sawant and Sherlyn Chopra.

Salman-starrer "Wanted" has been distributed by Sahara One Motion Pictures and Surinder Kapoor. Produced by Boney Kapoor, it is dancer-choreographer Prabhudheva's first Hindi movie as a director. It stars Ayesha Takia Azmi in the lead.

"Reports for both movies have been quite encouraging. We've kept 10 shows each for both the movies and are expecting a good business in the coming week. It will pick up over the weekend," said Munish Sharma, general manager (marketing), Satyam Cineplex.

Amit Awasthi, manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas at Noida, is, however, disappointed with the initial business.

"Opening for both the movies has been average only around 50 percent... none of the shows for either has been houseful since the morning despite having 22 shows for '...Hadippa!' and 14 shows for 'Wanted' across all our eight screens," said Awasthi.

"But 'Wanted' is better than '...Hadippa!' and we are hoping the movies will pick up momentum over the long weekend. They will also have a good run of almost two weeks," he added.

Said Amit Shah, chief manager (programming) of DLF DT cinemas: " 'Dil Bole Hadippa!' has done an average business of 45 percent vis-a-vis 'Wanted' that has brought in only 30 percent despite having close to 10 shows each for both the movies. We are, however, hoping the business to pull up Friday evening onwards as there are three holidays coming up."

The multiplexes are confident that both the movies will maintain a "healthy" run on the big screen despite Ashutosh Gowariker's "What's Your Raashee?" releasing Sep 25.

"'Dil Bole Hadippa' and 'Wanted' won't get affected despite 'What's Your Rashee?," said Raizada.

"'...Raashee?' is a long movie spanning around three-and-half hours so we won't be able to organise that many shows for it. We'll have to fill in the space with others and considering the other two are already A-listers, they'll have a smooth stretch," he added.

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Wanted