Mumbai: Even after crossing Rs 1000-crore mark, Ranveer Singh-starrer spy-thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ is still going strong in theatres, thereby affecting the box-office collection of other films including ‘Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2’, ‘Avatar: Fire And Ash’ and ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri.’
According to a Bollywood Hungama report, shows of ‘Dhurandhar’ across single screens have been reduced to 50% to make way for Bollywood legend Dharmendra’s last film ‘Ikkis’.
“Ikkis is distributed by Jio Studios, which is also the distributor as well as the producer of Dhurandhar. Hence, they have no qualms now if Dhurandhar’s shows reduce since the Ranveer Singh-starrer has already done huge business. Moreover, it will enter into its fifth week on Friday, January 2. Accordingly, they have asked for around 30-40% showcasing for Ikkis,” an exhibition source said.
“In cinemas with 2 screens, they have asked for 4 shows. In three-screen cinemas, they have requested for 6 shows and 8 shows in 4-screen multiplexes. In cinemas with 5 screens and more, they have made a request for 10+ shows. And that’s not all. In single-screens and 2-screen and 3-screen cinemas, they have instructed exhibitors not to have shows very early in the morning, possibly because Ikkis is a film that will not attract the audience early morning and would grow gradually by word of mouth,” the source explained.
“Lastly, the theatres have been instructed to sell tickets at regular weekend rates. Hence, the tickets of Ikkis will be available at reasonable prices.”
A trade expert commented, “Ikkis probably has more shows in a city like Mumbai than Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, though the latter had wider appeal as it was a romcom. The biggest advantage for Ikkis is that it has secured shows in those single screens where it can attract an audience. Until last week, such cinemas were only screening Dhurandhar.”
According to Bollywood Hungama, ‘Dhurandhar’s shows have been halved — from 4 shows to 2 shows — across most single screens like Gold Cinema Santacruz, Chitra, Plaza, Roxy, Citylight, Star City, MovieTime Dahisar, Inox Nakshatra Dadar, PVR Le Reve, MovieTime Suburbia, Gold Cinema Dadar among others.
