Success of 'Aaptha Mithra' like old wine

Bangalore, Oct 16 (IANS): Kannada film "Aaptha Mithra" is drawing bigger crowds with each passing day. In Bangalore, the film's collections have surpassed the Rs.10 million ($215,000) mark.

1. "Aaptha Mithra": This well-made film, produced by veteran producer Dwarakish and directed by P. Vasu, has already inspired a Tamil re-make featuring Rajnikanth. The film is a big draw with collections improving with every passing week. In many centres, the sixth week's collections have surpassed the second week's. In the Mysore-Hassan-Mandya distribution belt, the collections are extraordinary. The film seems all set to break box-office records.

2. "Onkaara": But for Upendra, this film might have ended up a big flop. The film, which had the initial advantage of Upendra's name and a pre-release publicity blitz, has, however, managed to keep its audience appeal. It is a big hit in the Bangalore-Kolar-Tumkur belt, where it has already crossed the Rs.10-million mark. The fight sequences and Upendra's delivery of lines have gone down well with the audience.

3. "Saahukaara": For its big-star cast and rich production values, the film should have been a bigger success. Though the Rs.40-million film is attracting the audience, the response does not match the expectations that were raised before its release. The film's music is a big letdown as it has only lifted tunes to offer. Trade pundits say that producer K. Manju will just break even.

4. "Shuklaambaradharam": The film has done well in north Karnataka, because it was shot extensively in Gokak and nearby areas. In other areas, the collections have been just all right. It is uncertain whether the producer will make a profit because the film's penetration in rural and semi-urban areas is not guaranteed.

5. "Om": This is a surprise entrant in the list. Believe it or not, the film that was a hit in the late nineties has become a big draw again after its re-release a few weeks ago. It has had a good opening, raking in Rs.0.6 million in two weeks after its release in a Bangalore theatre. The film has not been telecast so far, and the distributors have released the Upendra-directed film with a brand new print.